Solana

Solana is a blockchain platform that is designed to host scalable decentralized applications. The open-source project was founded in 2017 by the Solana Foundation in Geneva, and the blockchain was built by Solana Labs which is located in San Francisco. Solana is a Proof of Stake (PoS) blockchain that also uses hashed timestamps to verify transactions, called Proof of History (PoH). Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum which do not utilize clocks, Solana utilizes a clock to simplify network synchronization which results in exceptionally fast transaction speeds. Its architecture is designed to support 710,000 transactions per second (TPS) and achieving that speed is only limited by network capability and infrastructure. Solana’s token can be found on most exchanges under the ticker symbol SOL.

How does Solana work?

At its core, Solana’s high throughput is achieved by its unique consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH). PoH orders transactions by utilising cryptographic timestamps, enabling a secure and efficient consensus. It arranges events in a linear, verifiable sequence, ensuring accuracy without using intense computational resources. Nodes prove the passage of time by solving complex puzzles, which creates a historical record. This method establishes an order for transactions, reducing the need for energy-intensive calculations, enhancing scalability, and securing the network against manipulation, allowing for faster and more reliable consensus.

PoH’s unique methodology enhances the efficiency, scalability, and security of blockchain networks. It significantly reduces the computational workload required for reaching consensus, thereby improving scalability. By accurately ordering events through timestamps, PoH ensures a reliable and tamper-proof historical record, enhancing security against potential manipulation or fraud.

Source: ByteTree Research (Shehriyar Ali), Dec 14 2023

Source: SOLANIANS. Solana Ecosystem

Rapid Expansion

The Solana ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth and development consisting of more than 600 projects (some have tokens and some do not). Core ecosystem categories include Wallet, Defi, Infrastructure, Oracle, Application, Gaming, NFT, and Tooling & Explorer. There are more than 2,500 active developers building on Solana and the blockchain had 40.7M average daily user transactions (Q4, 2023).

Check out Solana’s latest ecosystem development report (8 January 2024).

2023 State of the Solana Developer Ecosystem

What’s the big deal with a Solana ETF?

What’s the big deal with a Solana ETF?

Probably the most-talked about things in the crypto industry right now are exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With spot Ether ETFs hitting the U.S. markets, everyone's asking: “What's the next big crypto to get its own ETF?

Solana Finally Gets Restaking: Why It’s the Key to Decentralization

Solana Finally Gets Restaking: Why It’s the Key to Decentralization

Solana adopts restaking technology to enhance security and flexibility, promising faster and more decentralized dApps.

BlackRock Casts Doubt On SEC Approval For Spot XRP, Solana, And SHIB ETFs — Here’s Why

BlackRock Casts Doubt On SEC Approval For Spot XRP, Solana, And SHIB ETFs — Here’s Why

Despite the successful launch of spot Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) this week, hopes for the possible advent of other altcoin ETFs seem far-fetched. This is after an executive at the world's largest asset management firm,…

Solana (SOL) Flips BNB, Becoming 4th Biggest Cryptocurrency

Solana (SOL) Flips BNB, Becoming 4th Biggest Cryptocurrency

Solana (SOL) has managed to climb to fourth spot on CoinMarketCap after surpassing BNB. The two major cryptocurrencies are both currently valued at $84.8 billion, with SOL having a slight edge.

Why is Solana (SOL) price up today?

Why is Solana (SOL) price up today?

Solana price is up today, and charts suggest it could be en route to new all-time highs.

30 Solana celebrity memecoins launched in June; most are dead

30 Solana celebrity memecoins launched in June; most are dead

Celebrity memecoins on Solana have become a dime a dozen this cycle, but data shows investors hardly see returns.


NFTs on Solana

Emerging Use Cases

Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) have been one of the most popular aspects of blockchain technology. New capabilities and use cases are being discovered as more and more people (and traditional sectors) explore the world of authenticated digital assets. There are two excellent articles worth your time as they describe the world of NFTs on Solana and how that aspect of the blockchain is developing and advancing:

Solana NFT Marketplace Development: Blockchain App Factory

Solana NFTs in 2024: Thomson Richard, The NFT Daily Dose

Consumer & Dev Projects

Solana Infrastructure Projects