Home · Blog · Blockchain Technology · · Updated Oct 16, 2025 · 5 min read
Why Cryptocurrencies Are Embracing Rust for Blockchain Development
Learn how Rust powers Polkadot, Solana, and SORA with unmatched speed, safety, and reliability — redefining next-gen blockchain systems.
TL;DR:
Rust is redefining blockchain development with performance, safety, and concurrency.
From Polkadot and Solana to SORA and Polkaswap, this powerful language powers the systems making decentralized finance faster, safer, and more reliable.
Have you ever wondered why so many leading cryptocurrencies are built with Rust?
It isn’t just another programming language — it’s the foundation behind some of the fastest and most secure blockchain systems ever created.
From Polkadot and Solana to SORA and Polkaswap, Rust is shaping the next generation of digital economies.
Why Rust Matters in Blockchain
Rust was designed for speed, safety, and concurrency — all critical traits in blockchain, where a single error can cost millions.
Unlike languages that rely on garbage collection, such as Go or Java, Rust enforces memory safety at compile time. This eliminates many runtime crashes and security issues, resulting in faster and more reliable execution.
For in-depth learning, see the official Rust Book.
The Core Advantages
- Memory Safety Without Garbage Collection: Rust’s ownership model prevents memory leaks and data races — crucial for reliable smart contracts and validator logic.
- C++-Level Speed: Rust compiles to machine code, offering low-level control without compromising safety.
- Concurrency You Can Trust: Its type system enforces safe multi-threading, perfect for transaction validation and consensus.
- Modern Tooling: Cargo streamlines dependency management, testing, and deployment across large Web3 infrastructures.
Rust vs Other Blockchain Languages
| Language | Speed | Memory Safety | Learning Curve | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rust | Excellent | Compile-time | Steep | Polkadot, Solana, SORA |
| Solidity | Moderate | Runtime | Moderate | Ethereum |
| Go | Good | Garbage collected | Easy | Cosmos, Tendermint |
| C++ | Excellent | Manual | Steep | Bitcoin, EOS |
Why Rust Wins for Blockchain
Rust’s combination of performance and safety makes it ideal when:
- Speed matters: High-throughput DeFi systems rely on low-latency execution.
- Security is critical: Smart contract errors can drain millions in seconds.
- Concurrency is essential: Validators process thousands of transactions simultaneously.
- Determinism is required: Consensus algorithms demand predictable results.
Rust Benefits by Use Case
| Use Case | Why Rust? | Example Projects |
|---|---|---|
| High-throughput DeFi | Zero-cost abstractions | Solana, SORA |
| Secure smart contracts | Compile-time memory safety | Polkadot, Substrate |
| Cross-chain systems | WASM compilation | SORA Hub Chain |
| Enterprise blockchain | Deterministic behavior | Hyperledger Iroha |
Rust in Action: Key Blockchain Examples
Polkadot
Polkadot’s core framework, Substrate, is written entirely in Rust.
This allows modular blockchain construction, enhanced runtime safety, and flexible parachain deployment.
→ Learn more: Substrate documentation
Solana
Solana delivers hundreds of thousands of transactions per second thanks to its Rust-based runtime and Proof of History (PoH) mechanism.
Its success proved that Rust can power scalable, production-grade DeFi systems.
→ Explore: Solana developer docs
Hyperledger Iroha
Hyperledger Iroha 2 showcases Rust’s enterprise-grade precision, built entirely in Rust with:
- Byzantine Fault Tolerance for resilience
- Granular permissions for compliance
- Native asset management for digital currencies
- WASM smart contracts for cross-platform integration
SORA v2 is built on Iroha 2, which laid the groundwork for SORA v3 (Nexus). SORA v3 will migrate to Iroha 3, linking permissioned and public blockchains via the SORA Hub Chain — a politically neutral interoperability layer that enables secure, auditable, and policy-controlled cross-network transactions.
SORA and Polkaswap
SORA leverages Rust for secure financial logic, efficient governance, and deterministic behavior across its ecosystem.
The SORA v3 architecture demonstrates Rust’s versatility in DeFi:
- SORA Hub Chain: Built on Iroha 2 for compliant cross-chain interoperability
- Economic modules: XOR, VAL, and PSWAP logic in Rust
- Governance: SORA Parliament voting secured through Rust-based modules
Polkaswap, the decentralized exchange built by SORA, uses Rust to manage liquidity pools and token swaps without bottlenecks — proving how Rust can scale securely across DeFi platforms.
→ Learn more in our SORA v3 guide
Why Developers Keep Choosing Rust
Developers often call Rust “hard to learn but impossible to leave.”
Once you experience its compile-time guarantees, going back to languages that allow unsafe behavior feels risky.
Beyond blockchain, Rust is used in browsers, operating systems, and AI infrastructure — proving it’s a durable shift toward safer systems programming.
The Road Ahead
As DeFi and CBDC infrastructures evolve, security and verifiability will determine what lasts.
Rust’s strict compiler, safe concurrency, and lack of runtime dependencies make it ideal for sovereign systems like SORA v3 and scalable frameworks such as Polkadot.
If the 2010s belonged to JavaScript, the 2020s belong to Rust.
FAQs
Why is Rust better than Solidity for blockchain?
Rust enforces compile-time memory safety and performance that Solidity can’t match. While Solidity checks errors at runtime, Rust prevents many classes of bugs before deployment, making smart contracts more secure and efficient.
Is Rust hard to learn for blockchain developers?
Rust’s ownership model is strict, but it helps you write safer code from day one. The learning curve is real, but the reliability gains are worth it.
What blockchains use Rust?
Polkadot, Solana, SORA, NEAR Protocol, and Hyperledger Iroha are Rust-based or use Rust extensively.
How does SORA use Rust?
SORA v3 (Nexus) employs Rust across the Hub Chain (migrating to Iroha 3), economic modules for XOR/VAL/PSWAP, and Polkaswap’s DeFi infrastructure. SORA v2, built on Iroha 2, provides the foundation.
Can Rust compile to WebAssembly?
Yes. Rust compiles to WebAssembly (WASM), enabling efficient cross-chain and cross-platform execution.
Why doesn’t Ethereum use Rust?
Ethereum predates Rust and uses Solidity for smart contracts. However, several Eth2 clients and tools (e.g., Foundry) are written in Rust.
How does Rust prevent memory leaks?
Rust’s ownership system frees memory automatically when values go out of scope (RAII), preventing leaks and data races.
What’s the future of Rust in blockchain?
Rust is becoming the standard for modern blockchain infrastructure, driving secure, performant systems across public and enterprise environments.
Key Takeaway
Rust combines speed, safety, and reliability — everything blockchain demands.
From Polkadot’s Substrate and Solana’s runtime to SORA’s Iroha 2-based Hub Chain, Rust underpins the most advanced ecosystems in decentralized finance.
As interoperability, compliance, and scalability grow in importance, Rust stands out as the language shaping the next era of blockchain development.
Conclusion
Rust has become more than a language — it’s a philosophy of safe innovation.
By blending high performance with strict safety, it enables crypto ecosystems to scale securely and sustainably.
From SORA’s interoperable economy to Solana’s high-speed architecture, the message is clear:
The future of blockchain will be written in Rust.