Polygon Blocks Slower, But Speeds Up Transactions
Polygon has made significant improvements to its blockchain by reducing its average block time from 2.25 seconds to 1.75 seconds, according to data on Polygonscan. This change is part of a two-step proposal (PIP-86) aimed at increasing the network's capacity and efficiency.
The reduction in block time lifts the theoretical throughput by approximately 14%, bringing it up to around 3,260 transactions per second (TPS), according to Lucca Martins, a Polygon software engineer. Faster blocks help clear backlogs and prevent fee spikes during congestion, which is particularly important for high-frequency activities such as stablecoin transfers, retail payments, and decentralized finance trades.
Polygon's goal is to increase its capacity further, with Adam Dossa, senior vice president of engineering at Polygon Labs, stating that the network aims to reach 5,000-10,000 TPS. The recent block time reduction is part of a broader effort to stay ahead of growing demand for stablecoins and expand into traditional payment rails.