Why Low-Latency Crypto Libraries Hit a Ceiling

When "General Purpose" Means "Generally Slower"

Everyone in crypto infrastructure wants low latency. But most so-called low-latency libraries end up slower in real trading systems because they are built for everyone. Libraries like Jito Labs' ShredStream or Solana's QUIC pipeline are fast, but they still face limits because they try to be flexible and accessible instead of perfectly optimized for one use case.

When a library is written for general-purpose streaming, it includes extra layers like abstractions, serialization logic, and safety checks that specialized systems do not need. Each microsecond added by those layers compounds until the performance edge disappears. In trading, that is the difference between catching an opportunity and missing it.

The Real Fix

To achieve true speed, you need to go custom. Trim every unused feature, build specialized data pipelines, and remove middle layers completely. General code might be easier to use, but it always sets a ceiling on performance. In crypto trading, where speed equals profit, generalization is the silent bottleneck that kills execution.