Microsoft builds its own AI coding model as Solana attracts thousands

Microsoft announced it will retire its use of Anthropic’s Claude Code model by June 30, moving its engineers onto an internally built Copilot CLI that runs on a new Microsoft‑owned AI model [1]. At the same time, the Solana blockchain reported a surge of more than 4,100 new developers in 2025, driven by its high‑speed, low‑fee architecture [2].

Key takeaways

• Microsoft ends Claude Code licenses, citing cost and a desire for self‑sufficiency in AI [1].
• The company will ship a proprietary coding model at its Build conference, integrating it with GitHub Copilot [1].
• Solana processes over 10,000 transactions per second with fees often below one cent, attracting developers seeking fast, cheap infrastructure [2].
• Approximately 4,100 developers joined Solana in 2025, outpacing Ethereum’s growth in the same period [2].
• Upgrades such as the Firedancer validator client aim to push Solana’s throughput toward one million transactions per second [2].

Microsoft’s shift to an in‑house AI coding model

At the Build developer conference in San Francisco, Microsoft unveiled a new AI model designed specifically for GitHub Copilot, signaling a strategic move away from reliance on external providers like Anthropic [1]. The decision follows a costly experiment in which thousands of Microsoft engineers used Claude Code on a token‑priced basis, exhausting the company’s AI budget months ahead of schedule [1]. By replacing the rented model with a home‑grown one, Microsoft aims to control both the technology and its operating expenses, while leveraging its extensive distribution channels—GitHub, Azure, Windows, and Office—to embed the tool across its enterprise customer base [1].

Solana’s rapid developer adoption and scaling roadmap

Solana’s ecosystem has become a magnet for developers thanks to its ability to handle thousands of transactions per second without significant latency or fee spikes [2]. Reports from 2025 show the network regularly achieving more than 10,000 transactions per second, with transaction costs often staying under one cent [2]. This performance enables use cases such as games, payment apps, trading platforms, and NFT marketplaces to operate smoothly even during periods of high traffic [2]. The platform’s growth is reflected in the addition of roughly 4,100 new developers in 2025—a figure that surpasses Ethereum’s new‑developer count for the same year [2]. Tools like the Anchor framework, along with infrastructure services from Helius, QuickNode, and Alchemy, have lowered technical barriers, while educational resources and hackathons continue to broaden Solana’s appeal [2].

Why it matters

Microsoft’s move underscores a broader industry trend: large tech firms are prioritizing control over AI distribution channels rather than chasing the latest model performance alone [1]. By embedding its own coding model within existing developer tools, Microsoft hopes to lock in enterprise adoption despite any short‑term quality gaps. Conversely, Solana’s developer boom illustrates how blockchain platforms can attract talent by delivering tangible performance advantages—speed, low cost, and a supportive ecosystem [2]. Together, these parallel narratives highlight two distinct pathways for technology growth: one driven by platform ownership and integrated distribution, the other by technical superiority and developer-friendly infrastructure. Both approaches will shape where talent and investment flow in the coming years.