Question 1

What's the latest SOL news?

Accepted Answer

### Top Story Solana's Alpenglow upgrade, described as its biggest network overhaul since 2020, went live on mainnet, aiming to deliver 99% faster transaction finality and enhance network performance[^[1]](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/10/21/solana-s-alpenglow-its-biggest-network-overhaul-since-2020-goes-live-wednesday). This upgrade is positioned to address prior speed and congestion issues, potentially strengthening Solana's position in the layer-1 blockchain sector. ### Other Highlights - Alpenglow's launch was covered by multiple outlets, underscoring its significance for Solana's technical roadmap[^[1]](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/10/21/solana-s-alpenglow-its-biggest-network-overhaul-since-2020-goes-live-wednesday). - A daily roundup highlighted Solana's upgrade as a key event in the broader crypto landscape. - BlackRock filed for a third Bitcoin ETF but did not include Solana or XRP in its plans, reflecting ongoing institutional focus on Bitcoin over other major cryptocurrencies. - U.S. Treasury policy and Malaysia's DLT bond platform contributed to the macro environment, but did not directly impact Solana. ### Market Context Solana rose 1.32% over the past 24 hours, underperforming the CoinDesk 20 Index, which gained 2.40%. The protocol upgrade did not translate into outperformance, suggesting that broader market factors or investor preference for Bitcoin-related products may have limited Solana's relative gains. ### What’s Next? With Alpenglow now live, attention will turn to its real-world impact on Solana's speed and reliability. Investors may watch for further adoption, performance metrics, and whether network improvements drive increased usage or price momentum.

Question 2

What is Solana?

Accepted Answer

Solana is a [blockchain](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/how-does-blockchain-technology-work/) platform designed to facilitate [decentralized app (dApp)](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-dapp-decentralized-apps-explained/) development and support crypto-currency transactions. What sets Solana apart is its hybrid protocol system and unique timestamp technology, which is centered around a mechanism called [Proof-of-History (PoH)](https://solana.com/news/proof-of-history). This system creates a verifiable and secure timestamp for each transaction, which allows nodes to process transactions without needing to communicate with one another, significantly speeding up the transaction processing time.

Solana utilizes a unique model, where PoH works in tandem with a [Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-proof-of-stake/). PoH allows for the recording of the order of events and the time that has passed between them, which mitigates the need for traditional consensus-building processes. The PoS mechanism then finalizes these transactions and secures the network by allowing validators with a stake (investment) in the system to propose and vote on the validity of new blocks.

"The goal of Solana is to carry transactions as fast as news travels around the world," according to [Anatoly Yakovenko, the co-founder and CEO of Solana Labs](https://solana.com/news/anatoly-yakovenko-talks-decentralization-developer-community-at-udc-2021). With its architectural design, Solana has the capability to handle [thousands of transactions per second](https://solana.com/solana-whitepaper.pdf), positioning it among the faster blockchain networks. This focus on transaction speed is in line with Yakovenko's stated vision for the blockchain. In addition, Solana's fee model, which emphasizes lower transaction costs, may be seen as an appealing feature for both businesses and individual users.

Question 3

Solana price

Accepted Answer

SOL is used in two ways:

- Pay for transaction fees: Though Solana's fees are supposed to be cheaper than those of other cryptocurrencies, it still charges a fee to send transactions or run [smart contracts](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/how-do-ethereum-smart-contracts-work/), the blockchain-based computer programs that cut out intermediaries from digital transactions. Smart contracts are the building blocks of more complicated apps on Solana, such as finance apps or apps for [music streaming](https://solana.com/ecosystem/audius).
- Staking: Like many other blockchains, Solana is secured through a consensus mechanism. People who want to help secure the cryptocurrency by being a "validator," can "stake" some of their SOL, or lock it up to secure the network and earn money while doing so.

Solana is an inflationary cryptocurrency with no hard cap on the total number of tokens. It has a starting annual inflation rate of 8%, which will decrease by 15% every year until it reaches 1.5%, which will be the fixed long-term rate.

Thirty-seven percent of the SOL tokens that were initially distributed went to investors, 25% was split between Solana's team and the Solana Foundation, the nonprofit steering development of the cryptocurrency, and 38% was sent to Solana Foundation's community fund reserve.

After the launch of SOL in March 2020, SOL's price bounced between $0.50 and $1.50 for the rest of the year. Then, SOL became one of the top-performing assets amid the crypto bull run in 2021, as its price hit $55.91 by May 2021. Though it dipped to as low as $23.49 in July 2021, SOL's price surged again in the second half of the year, hitting its all-time high of $258.93 in November 2021.

Question 4

How does Solana work?

Accepted Answer

Solana operates on a hybrid consensus model that combines two key mechanisms:

*   **Proof of History (PoH):** This system timestamps every transaction, creating a verifiable sequence of time that minimizes the need for nodes to communicate back and forth.
    
*   **Proof of Stake (PoS):** Validators secure the network and validate transactions by staking SOL tokens.Together, these mechanisms allow the network to achieve high throughput and security.

Question 5

How does Solana differ from other blockchains?

Accepted Answer

- Proof of History (PoH): Unlike traditional blockchains that use mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS) alone, Solana introduces a novel timestamp system called Proof of History. This system allows for greater efficiency and speed as it creates a historical record of all transactions, allowing the system to trust the timing and ordering of events without additional verification.
- Performance and Scalability: Solana can handle up to 65,000 transactions per second, which is substantially higher than many other blockchains. This scalability comes from Solana's unique architecture, including its PoH mechanism and its usage of concurrent processing and pipelining processes.
- Hybrid Consensus Model: Solana uses a hybrid consensus model that combines PoH and PoS. PoH provides a unique, decentralized clock for the system, while PoS ensures security and provides a mechanism for selecting the next leader in the network.
- Advanced Technologies: Solana incorporates various high-performance computing technologies, like GPU processing, parallel processing, and more. These technologies allow Solana to process transactions and smart contracts faster and more efficiently.

Question 6

Solana NFTs

Accepted Answer

The Solana blockchain is known for its high-throughput and scalable infrastructure, making it an option for [Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-are-nfts-and-how-do-they-work/) creation and trading. With the capability to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions, Solana has become a platform where NFT artists, collectors, and developers can operate. NFTs on Solana are represented as unique digital assets with distinct ownership and metadata. This enables the representation of various digital artifacts like art, music, and virtual real estate. Solana's relationship with NFTs represents an intersection between emerging blockchain technology and the growing field of digital assets, though the platform's suitability may vary based on individual needs and preferences.

Solana has emerged as a competitive player in the NFT market, holding a strong position among various blockchains. [According to data from CryptoSlam](https://www.cryptoslam.io/blockchains), as of April 2023, Solana ranks third in key metrics such as sales, number of buyers and number of sellers. With total NFT sales amounting to over [$4.13 billion](https://www.cryptoslam.io/blockchains/solana?headerPeriod=all), Solana's performance is notably competitive with leading blockchains like [Ronin](https://www.coindesk.com/tag/ronin-network/) and [Flow](https://www.coindesk.com/price/flow/), although significantly behind [Ethereum](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-ethereum/), the market leader.

Question 7

How to buy Solana on a centralized exchange

Accepted Answer

To purchase Solana (SOL) on a centralized exchange, first, choose a reputable crypto exchange that supports SOL, such as Coinbase, Binance or Kraken. Create an account by providing your email address and setting a strong password.

For security, complete the identity verification process, which typically requires a photo ID. After verifying your account, secure it further by enabling two-factor authentication. You can then deposit funds using a bank transfer, credit card or other payment methods available on the exchange.

Once your account is funded, navigate to the Solana trading section of the crypto exchange, select the appropriate trading pair (like SOL/USD) and execute your purchase. Always review the transaction details before executing the transaction.

Question 8

How to buy Solana on a decentralized exchange

Accepted Answer

You can also purchase Solana on [decentralized exchanges](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-is-a-dex-how-decentralized-crypto-exchanges-work/). Decentralized crypto exchanges (DEX) operate without a central authority, allowing direct peer-to-peer transactions to be made without an intermediary party.

To buy Solana on a DEX such as Jupiter or Raydium, you will first need a [wallet](https://www.coindesk.com/learn/your-first-crypto-wallet-how-to-use-it-and-why-you-need-one/) compatible with the Solana network. Ensure your wallet is funded with enough crypto to complete the purchase and cover transaction fees. Connect your wallet to the DEX website; this often involves scanning a QR code or selecting a wallet connection option.

Once connected, choose the trading pair that matches your funding source (e.g., SOL/USDC). Set the amount of SOL you wish to buy and check the current liquidity and slippage to ensure you receive a fair exchange rate. Confirm the transaction in your wallet, and once it’s processed, the purchased SOL will appear in your wallet. Remember, trading on a DEX removes the intermediary but requires careful handling of your private keys and wallet security.

Question 9

Who created Solana?

Accepted Answer

Solana was founded in 2017 by Anatoly Yakovenko, a former engineer at Qualcomm. The project was officially launched in March 2020 by Solana Labs, with backing from prominent venture firms like Multicoin Capital.

Question 10

What is the highest price Solana has ever reached?

Accepted Answer

Solana's (SOL) all-time high (ATH) price reached around $293-$295 USD in mid-January 2025, specifically around January 19th, surpassing its previous 2021 peak and marking a significant surge driven by ecosystem growth, developer activity, and increased transaction demand, despite later price drops and consolidation.

Question 11

What price prediction for Solana?

Accepted Answer

While it is difficult to accurately predict future prices, analysts often look at scalability and developer activity as key indicators of growth. Major price drivers typically include network upgrades, the growth of the ecosystem (DeFi and NFTs), and broader market sentiment.

Question 12

How to buy Solana?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase SOL through two main types of platforms:

*   **Centralized Exchanges (CEX):** Platforms like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken allow you to create an account, verify your identity, and trade fiat currency for SOL.
    
*   **Decentralized Exchanges (DEX):** If you have a Solana-compatible wallet, you can use DEXs like Jupiter or Raydium to swap other cryptocurrencies (like USDC) for SOL directly.

Question 13

Where can I store Solana?

Accepted Answer

SOL can be stored in hardware or software wallets that support the Solana blockchain.

*   **Hardware Wallets:** Devices like **Ledger Nano S/X** offer offline security for your assets.
    
*   **Software Wallets:** Applications like **Phantom, Solflare, and Trust Wallet** are popular for interacting with dApps.

Question 14

What blockchain does Solana use?

Accepted Answer

Solana uses its own independent **Layer 1 blockchain**, meaning it is a foundational network that processes and validates transactions directly. It does not rely on another underlying blockchain (like Ethereum) to operate. Its architecture features innovations like **Proof of History (PoH)** and **parallel processing** to handle high throughput.

Question 15

What is Solana's transaction speed (TPS)?

Accepted Answer

Solana is theoretically capable of processing up to **65,000 transactions per second (TPS)**. In real-world conditions, the network typically processes between **2,000 and 5,000 TPS**, which is still significantly faster than many legacy blockchains.

Question 16

What is Solana total supply?

Accepted Answer

Solana is an inflationary cryptocurrency with no fixed maximum supply.

*   The inflation rate began at **8%** annually.
    
*   This rate decreases by **15%** each year.
    
*   It will eventually stabilize at a long-term fixed rate of **1.5%**.

Question 17

Solana vs Ethereum: What's the difference?

Accepted Answer

While both blockchains support smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), they differentiate themselves through speed and cost.

Solana is designed for performance, capable of processing up to 65,000 transactions per second with minimal fees using its Proof-of-History and Proof-of-Stake consensus.

Ethereum, while historically slower (around 30 TPS on its base layer) and often more expensive, offers a more mature ecosystem and a larger developer base.Solana prioritizes raw throughput and low latency, whereas Ethereum focuses on modular scaling and institutional stability.

Question 18

Key events and management

Accepted Answer

Solana was founded by software engineer [Anatoly Yakovenko](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/12/10/most-influential-2021-anatoly-yakovenko/) in 2017 and after three years of development, the platform and token were launched.

Solana's [investors include](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2019/07/30/multicoin-leads-20-million-round-for-speed-focused-solana-blockchain/) Multicoin Capital, Distributed Global, BlockTower Capital, Foundation Capital, Blockchange Ventures, Slow Ventures, NEO Global Capital, Passport Capital and Rockaway Ventures.

In August 2022, [CoinDesk reported](https://www.coindesk.com/layer2/2022/08/04/master-of-anons-how-a-crypto-developer-faked-a-defi-ecosystem/) Ian Macalinao, the chief architect of Solana's once mighty stablecoin exchange [Saber](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2021/07/27/solanas-saber-labs-raises-77m-in-seed-funding-round-led-by-race-capital/), hid behind anonymous developer accounts to pump billions of dollars into his DeFi empire.

#	Instrument	Exchange	Benchmark Score	Price	24h Change	24h Volume	24h Trades	24h Open	24h High
1	SOL-USDT SOLUSDT	binance	AA	102.10USDT	-2.51%	1,628,193.49SOL	479,333	104.73USDT	105.24USDT
2	SOL-USDT SOL_USDT	gateio	A	102.11USDT	-2.49%	605,407.20SOL	47,900	104.72USDT	105.24USDT
3	SOL-USDT SOLUSDT_SPBL	bitget	BB	102.11USDT	-2.49%	539,418.60SOL	104,612	104.72USDT	105.24USDT
4	SOL-USDT SOL_USDT	whitebit	BB	102.13USDT	-2.46%	462,061.15SOL	23,037	104.70USDT	105.22USDT
5	SOL-USDT SOL-USDT	okex	A	102.11USDT	-2.50%	448,150.35SOL	127,171	104.73USDT	105.25USDT
6	SOL-USD SOL-USD	coinbase	AA	101.97USD	-2.51%	377,684.41SOL	65,510	104.59USD	105.11USD
7	SOL-USDT SOLUSDT	bybit	A	102.12USDT	-2.50%	200,094.41SOL	110,847	104.74USDT	105.26USDT
8	SOL-USDC SOLUSDC	binance	AA	101.99USDC	-2.50%	180,975.48SOL	68,643	104.60USDC	105.12USDC
9	SOL-USDC SOLUSDC	bybit	A	101.99USDC	-2.50%	150,310.07SOL	86,130	104.60USDC	105.14USDC
10	SOL-USDC SOLUSDC	bullish	AA	101.99USDC	-2.49%	144,451.69SOL	93,700	104.59USDC	105.11USDC
11	SOL-USD SOLUSD	kraken	AA	101.97USD	-2.51%	127,995.13SOL	28,915	104.59USD	105.13USD
12	SOL-USD SOL_USD	cryptodotcom	AA	101.99USD	-2.49%	116,772.32SOL	40,237	104.59USD	105.12USD
13	SOL-USDT SOL-USDT	kucoin	BB	102.11USDT	-2.48%	88,961.64SOL	27,949	104.71USDT	105.23USDT
14	SOL-USDT SOL_USDT	cryptodotcom	AA	102.09USDT	-2.49%	69,863.93SOL	42,173	104.70USDT	105.25USDT
15	SOL-USD1 SOLUSD1	binance	AA	102.12USD1	-2.49%	57,106.02SOL	29,685	104.73USD1	105.26USD1
16	SOL-USD solusd	bitstamp	AA	101.96USD	-2.48%	54,918.70SOL	8,872	104.55USD	105.10USD
17	SOL-WBT SOL_WBT	whitebit	BB	1.30WBT	-1.03%	33,735.76SOL	2,856	1.32WBT	1.32WBT
18	SOL-EUR SOLEUR	kraken	AA	91.12EUR	-2.31%	31,678.19SOL	4,933	93.27EUR	93.83EUR
19	SOL-USDC SOL-USDC	kucoin	BB	102.01USDC	-2.45%	31,245.74SOL	5,377	104.57USDC	105.12USDC
20	SOL-FDUSD SOLFDUSD	binance	AA	102.30FDUSD	-2.44%	27,185.48SOL	13,686	104.86FDUSD	105.41FDUSD
21	SOL-EUR SOL_EUR	whitebit	BB	91.07EUR	-2.39%	24,627.92SOL	2,193	93.30EUR	93.85EUR
22	SOL-USDC SOL-USDC	okex	A	101.99USDC	-2.47%	24,698.21SOL	19,444	104.57USDC	105.12USDC
23	SOL-USDC SOL_USDC	whitebit	BB	101.91USDC	-2.64%	20,984.63SOL	1,805	104.67USDC	105.13USDC
24	SOL-USD SOLUSD	bullish	AA	101.96USD	-2.47%	20,209.60SOL	12,459	104.55USD	105.09USD
25	SOL-EUR SOL-EUR	coinbase	AA	91.10EUR	-2.37%	19,131.47SOL	9,840	93.31EUR	93.84EUR
26	SOL-TRY SOL_TRY	whitebit	BB	5,076.70TRY	-2.39%	16,260.03SOL	1,723	5,200.90TRY	5,221.50TRY
27	SOL-USDT SOLUST	bitfinex	BB	102.12USDT	-2.50%	16,115.58SOL	11,948	104.74USDT	105.24USDT
28	SOL-USDC SOLUSDC	kraken	AA	101.99USDC	-2.49%	15,162.54SOL	1,748	104.59USDC	105.09USDC
29	SOL-USDT SOLUSDT	bullish	AA	102.10USDT	-2.50%	14,802.31SOL	13,075	104.71USDT	105.23USDT
30	SOL-EUR SOLEUR	bullish	AA	91.10EUR	-2.33%	13,705.44SOL	9,725	93.28EUR	93.83EUR
31	SOL-USDT SOLUSDT	kraken	AA	102.14USDT	-2.44%	12,069.31SOL	1,984	104.69USDT	105.24USDT
32	SOL-TRY SOLTRY	binance	AA	5,067.40TRY	-2.46%	11,561.97SOL	7,386	5,195.20TRY	5,214.70TRY
33	SOL-JPY SOLJPY	binance	AA	16,030.00JPY	-2.54%	11,496.89SOL	5,312	16,447.00JPY	16,504.00JPY
34	SOL-EUR soleur	bitstamp	AA	91.18EUR	-2.26%	10,948.69SOL	1,477	93.29EUR	93.82EUR
35	SOL-GBP SOL-GBP	coinbase	AA	76.25GBP	-2.46%	10,743.95SOL	6,581	78.17GBP	78.56GBP
36	SOL-EUR SOLEUR	binance	AA	91.11EUR	-2.31%	10,947.18SOL	6,509	93.26EUR	93.81EUR
37	SOL-USDC SOLUSDC_SPBL	bitget	BB	101.98USDC	-2.49%	10,608.27SOL	3,394	104.58USDC	105.11USDC
38	SOL-ETH SOLETH	binance	AA	0.04294ETH	-1.15%	9,979.45SOL	3,284	0.04344ETH	0.04359ETH
39	SOL-BTC SOLBTC	binance	AA	0.001264BTC	-1.05%	8,996.21SOL	4,244	0.001278BTC	0.001284BTC
40	SOL-BTC SOL_BTC	whitebit	BB	0.001264BTC	-1.06%	6,900.12SOL	934	0.001277BTC	0.001283BTC
41	SOL-USD SOLUSD	bitfinex	BB	102.13USD	-2.47%	6,781.55SOL	10,335	104.72USD	105.29USD
42	SOL-BTC SOLBTC	bybit	A	0.001264BTC	-1.03%	6,362.56SOL	1,388	0.001277BTC	0.001284BTC
43	SOL-USD SOL_USD	lmax	BB	101.98USD	-2.50%	5,785.55SOL	1,841	104.59USD	105.09USD
44	SOL-BTC SOLBTC	bullish	AA	0.001263BTC	-1.13%	5,046.67SOL	4,894	0.001278BTC	0.001285BTC
45	SOL-USD SOL_USD	whitebit	BB	102.01USD	-2.47%	4,861.17SOL	479	104.59USD	105.15USD
46	SOL-USD solusd	gemini	A	102.00USD	-2.44%	4,453.71SOL	2,885	104.55USD	105.09USD
47	SOL-U SOLU	binance	AA	102.08U	-2.47%	4,182.34SOL	6,785	104.67U	105.18U
48	SOL-AUD SOL_AUD	whitebit	BB	145.39AUD	-2.17%	3,961.52SOL	1,072	148.61AUD	149.77AUD
49	SOL-EUR SOL-EUR	okex	A	91.09EUR	-2.34%	4,011.10SOL	4,581	93.27EUR	93.85EUR
50	SOL-BRL SOLBRL	binance	AA	511.50BRL	-3.38%	3,567.94SOL	1,209	529.40BRL	530.40BRL