What is TPS? The Ultimate Guide to Blockchain Speed in 2025 and Trading Practice

For new users seeking to enter the cryptocurrency world, TPS as a technical indicator is becoming as important as asset prices.

Understanding TPS is not only fundamental to comprehending blockchain technology but also key to optimizing your trading strategies, reducing transaction costs, and seizing market opportunities. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of TPS, from basic concepts to cutting-edge data, and reveal its direct connection to your trading experience on platforms like Gate.

01 TPS Basics: Understanding the Core of Blockchain Speed

TPS, or “Transactions Per Second,” is the most intuitive performance metric measuring a blockchain network’s processing capacity. It indicates the number of transactions the network can confirm and record on the blockchain within a given time.

Simply put, the higher the TPS, the faster the blockchain processes transactions, and the less likely the network is to become congested.

This metric is crucial for user experience. Imagine wanting to buy or sell quickly during market volatility—slow network confirmation could lead to delayed transactions, causing missed opportunities or losses. Therefore, TPS directly impacts not only technical performance but also transaction costs and efficiency.

02 Speed Ladder: An Overview of Major Blockchain TPS Rankings in 2025

Not all blockchains operate at the same speed. According to industry data in 2025, TPS performance varies greatly among different blockchains, forming a clear performance hierarchy. These differences stem directly from their respective technical architectures and consensus mechanisms.

The diagram below visually displays the theoretical maximum TPS rankings of mainstream blockchain networks, clearly revealing the gaps between different performance tiers.

It is important to note that the theoretical maximum (Max TPS) often differs significantly from the observed average TPS (Average TPS).

For example, Solana’s theoretical value reaches up to 65,000 TPS, but the actual average TPS recorded is about 1,053.7. According to a performance report from April 2025, some networks demonstrate impressive real-world throughput, such as Gate Chain reaching an average TPS of 4,800, and TON reaching 4,300.

03 The Technical Architecture Race Behind Performance

The speed race in blockchain is essentially a competition of technological innovation. Next-generation high-performance blockchains, like Solayer, adopt revolutionary InfiniSVM architecture. This architecture uses hardware acceleration and multi-executor cluster design to split transaction processing into microservices, assign them to dedicated hardware, greatly reducing single-point load, and achieving near-infinite horizontal scalability.

Key technologies also include utilizing Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) for high-speed data exchange between nodes, and a hybrid consensus mechanism combining Proof of Authority (PoA) and Proof of Stake (PoS), optimized for handling over one million TPS.

These technological breakthroughs at the foundational level enable blockchain networks to break through traditional bottlenecks, elevating from Bitcoin-era single-digit TPS to hundreds of thousands, and even approaching millions in theoretical capacity.

04 From On-Chain Speed to Trading Experience: Why TPS Matters to You

As a trader, blockchain TPS directly translates into your trading experience and costs.

A network with low TPS and congestion issues will lead to longer transaction confirmation times. During volatile markets, your orders may not be executed promptly. More directly, it affects trading costs—more congestion means higher network fees.

Conversely, networks like Solana, Sui, or Gate Chain with high TPS can offer faster confirmation speeds and more stable fee environments.

Choosing to transfer assets and trade on efficient blockchains means less waiting time and more predictable costs. For high-frequency traders, arbitrageurs, or anyone aiming to precisely seize market opportunities, this is a critical factor.

05 Practical Optimization: Achieving High-Speed, Low-Cost Trading on Gate

After understanding the importance of TPS, you can optimize your overall trading efficiency on comprehensive platforms like Gate through strategic choices.

First, pay attention to the network where your assets reside. When withdrawing or depositing assets on Gate, the same token (e.g., USDT) may have multiple network options (such as ERC-20, TRC-20, Solana).

Choosing networks like Tron or Solana, which have higher TPS and lower fixed fees, is generally faster and more economical than using Ethereum.

Second, leverage the platform’s fee advantages. High TPS underlying networks address on-chain efficiency, while the exchange’s own efficiency is reflected in transaction processing speed and fees. According to Gate’s official information, their system has strong processing capabilities and offers flexible fee discount mechanisms.

You can significantly reduce transaction fees by increasing trading volume to elevate VIP levels or by holding and staking platform tokens like GT. For high-frequency traders, these savings can accumulate to substantial amounts.

Finally, stay informed about market developments. Blockchain technology evolves rapidly, with new scaling solutions and higher-performance networks emerging constantly. Keeping up with these developments allows you to migrate assets to more efficient, cost-effective ecosystems promptly, maintaining a competitive edge in trading.

Qubic’s theoretical peak reaches an astonishing 15.52 million TPS, while the Bitcoin network remains steadily around 7 TPS. Sending a transfer on Ethereum may cost dozens of dollars in fees and take minutes, whereas on Solana or Gate Chain, the same operation might cost a fraction of a cent and only take seconds. In this silent speed race, the ultimate winners are users who can harness it to enjoy a superior trading experience.