Solana Developers Face Shocking BigQuery Bills: ‘Scam’ and Predatory Pricing

Blockchain developers are raising alarms about Google Cloud’s BigQuery service, accusing it of predatory pricing practices that have resulted in eye-watering bills. Recent reports reveal developers facing exorbitant charges for even the most basic queries, with some individuals incurring costs as high as $15,000 for just three requests. 🤯 A key issue lies in the lack of control over query limits, which leaves users vulnerable to sudden and significant cost increases. One developer, for example, claims a query into Solana blockchain data led to charges exceeding $5,000 per operation. This alarming situation is raising concerns about the sustainability of using BigQuery for blockchain analysis. 🔎 Other developers have reported similar experiences, highlighting predatory pricing mechanisms that appear to be deliberately designed to maximize revenue at the expense of users. Despite attempts to appeal to Google support, many are left feeling trapped and overwhelmed by unexpected charges. The issue has prompted a debate about the future of AI-powered blockchain analysis and whether the current billing model makes it practically viable for long-term development and research. 🧐