# Firedancer Solana bug bounty program changes

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/firedancer-solana-bug-bounty-program-changes
> Updated: 2026-10-27T07:48:20.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The Firedancer team, which develops independent validator software for Solana, has implemented new requirements for its bug bounty program to address a high volume of low-quality and duplicate reports. 

To curb a surge of AI-assisted submissions that overwhelmed engineers, researchers are now required to burn 1 SOL per submission. This non-refundable fee is intended to reduce the influx of duplicate reports, which accounted for approximately half of the 809 submissions during a previous security contest. While reports submitted without the burn can still be reviewed, they are ineligible for payouts.

To balance these new deterrents, Jump Crypto has adjusted reward structures. Rewards for vulnerabilities affecting the Alpenglow consensus have been increased, and standard rewards are being doubled through November 20, 2026.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Solana Firedancer team implements SOL burn to reduce AI-generated bug reports

Jump Crypto's Firedancer team now requires researchers to burn 1 SOL per bug report to prevent AI-generated spam from overwhelming Solana software developers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/solana-firedancer-team-implements-sol-burn-to-reduce-ai-generated-bug-reports

### 2026-10-24: Firedancer implements 1 SOL burn requirement for bug bounty program

Firedancer, Jump Crypto’s Solana validator software, now requires researchers to burn 1 SOL to participate in its bug bounty program, a non-refundable fee even for duplicate reports.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/firedancer-implements-1-sol-burn-requirement-for-bug-bounty-program

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Cite as: Firedancer Solana bug bounty program changes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/firedancer-solana-bug-bounty-program-changes