A simulation of Solana's proposed SGP-03 fee model is putting the network's biggest apps and routers under a microscope. The results point to a clear tradeoff: the new model could reward efficiency, but it may also squeeze the apps that handle the most traffic—and that pressure could land on users.
Why the fee model could push efficiency
The simulation suggests that SGP-03 would change how fees are structured on Solana, and that change could nudge apps to be more efficient. If a transaction uses fewer resources, it would likely cost less under the new model. That's the carrot. Apps that tighten up their operations could see their costs drop.
The flip side is that efficiency becomes a requirement, not just an option. Apps that ignore how much they spend on network resources would feel the difference.
Strain on high-volume apps
For the apps that process the most transactions, the simulation shows a tougher road. High-volume apps could be strained under SGP-03. The reason is straightforward: these apps already generate a lot of traffic, and if the new fee model punishes inefficiency, they're the ones most likely to take a hit. The simulation doesn't say they'll collapse, but it does suggest they'll need to adapt their designs or face higher operating costs.
What users might pay
User costs are wrapped up in the same package. The simulation found that the fee model would affect what users pay. If an app becomes more efficient, those savings could pass down. But if a high-volume app passes along its added strain, users on that app could see their transaction fees rise. That's the tradeoff: lower fees for some, higher fees for others.
Reshaping the network's economics
Solana's routers are part of the picture too. The simulation evaluated how these routing services—the connective tissue that moves transactions across the network—would respond to the new fee model. The shift could change how traffic flows, making some routes cheaper and others more expensive. That would ripple through the entire ecosystem, not just individual apps.
The broader economic dynamics of Solana would shift under SGP-03. Efficiency becomes a core driver of cost, and that changes how apps and routers make decisions. The model's ability to rework Solana's incentive structure is exactly what the simulation is designed to explore.
The simulation doesn't answer whether the efficiency gains are worth the pressure on the apps users depend on most. That's the open question, and it'll be worked out in the proposal's next steps.
