Listen, nowadays blockchain performance is often measured by a single metric — transactions per second, or TPS. These are not just numbers on paper; they truly impact how conveniently users can work with crypto and Web3 applications.

So, what exactly is TPS? Essentially, it’s the number of transactions the network can process in one second. For comparison: traditional payment systems like VISA handle about 1500–2000 TPS. That has long been an established standard for digital payments.

But with classical blockchains, the situation is different. Bitcoin operates at around 5 TPS, Ethereum at about 10 TPS. Why so slow? Because decentralization requires sacrifices in speed. But it guarantees security and transparency, so the trade-off makes sense.

For Web3, this is critical. DeFi, gaming, NFTs — all require decent throughput. If the network can’t process transactions quickly, users simply leave. That’s why projects are constantly looking for ways to improve TPS: optimizing block size, refining consensus algorithms, implementing Layer 2 solutions. Though, they need to be careful with security and decentralization.

Some networks already show impressive results. Hedera, for example, reaches 1909 TPS in current mode, with a maximum of 3287. Solana operates at 777 TPS, with a maximum of 1624. Tron maintains 91.27 TPS, opBNB shows 57.4 TPS with a maximum of 4762. BNB Chain — 52.5 TPS with a maximum of 1731.

But it’s important to understand: high TPS isn’t everything. It’s a performance metric, but one must consider what sacrifices are made for that speed. Security and decentralization should not suffer.

Ultimately, the future of crypto depends on whether the blockchain industry can find a balance: fast enough transactions, but with reliable security and true decentralization. That will determine whether Web3 becomes mainstream or remains a niche technology.