From coinmetrics By: Cooper Duschang & The Coin Metrics Team
Introduction
In this issue of Coin Metrics’ State of the Network, we bring you the latest installment in our “Asset Spotlight” series, this time focusing on Solana (SOL). This report dives into everything from Solana’s usage and adoption to its technical architecture, economics, risks, and investment role. Access the report here.
Report Summary
Amid a vast Layer-1 ecosystem, Solana has emerged as a leading smart contract platform, optimizing for high throughput and low transaction fees to support user-friendly and performant applications. Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, which prioritize decentralization and security at the cost of speed, Solana’s integrated architecture enables near-instant settlement, supporting large volumes of activity and generating immense amounts of blockchain data.
Once entangled in the FTX collapse of 2022, Solana has seen a remarkable recovery, now ranking as the 6th largest digital asset with a market capitalization of ~$90B (down from a high of $127B). Over the past year, the chain has seen tremendous growth in transaction demand and network activity, fueled by waves of meme coin speculation, along with an expanding DeFi, DePIN and stablecoin ecosystem.
Source: Coin Metrics Network Data Pro, Solana Fee & MEV Metrics*
(*Measures the demand to transact on Solana, including total transaction fees and out of protocol MEV tips for transaction execution.)
The Report Explores:
- Solana’s scalability and performance advantages, such as its 400ms (0.4 seconds) block times and parallel transaction execution.
- Solana’s fee structure, staking dynamics, and recent tokenomic changes, such as the adoption of SIMD-0096 which enhances validator incentives.
- The growth of stablecoins and institutional adoption, with major players like PayPal and USDC leveraging its infrastructure.
- Solana’s evolving investment case and role in portfolio diversification as we approach a potential Solana (SOL) ETF.
- The role of meme coins in driving retail engagement, and how they have helped onboard new users into the ecosystem.
- Key market risks and challenges, including validator costs, MEV extraction and whale driven volatility.
Weekly Chart Highlights
Crypto Markets Whipsaw
Crypto markets face renewed volatility, characteristic of patterns seen in previous market cycles. While markets were relatively resilient after Bybit’s hack, Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a >20% drawdown, falling to ~$78K on February 28th. While this correction may have unsettled some investors, it's not uncommon to see pullbacks of this magnitude during bull markets. In 2017, when BTC ran up from ~$9000 to ~$19,000, it faced several drawdowns greater than 25%, which also occurred in 2021, during its rise to $60,000.
Source: Coin Metrics Reference Rates
The drop was short-lived, as Trump announced his intent to “move forward” with establishing a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP) and Cardano (ADA). While the unexpected weekend announcement fueled a brief rally, prices have since retraced, with BTC, ETH & SOL returning to pre-announcement levels.
No details have been provided on the rationale or selection criteria for these assets, adding to uncertainty around the reserve’s purpose. The market’s initial euphoria, followed by skepticism, suggests cautious sentiment as investors seek a reversal in weakness.
Source: Coin Metrics Reference Rates (1 minute frequency)
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