- Solana’s total value locked soared to $9.77 billion, largely fueled by memecoins like TRUMP, which propelled trading volume beyond $11 billion.
- Experts view Solana’s surging DeFi ecosystem and high daily transactions as early indicators of expansive growth, despite ongoing regulatory obstacles.
Solana’s total value locked (TVL) surged 600% in the past year, rising from $1.4 billion to $9.77 billion, according to DeFiLlama. Memecoins, particularly the TRUMP token, contributed significantly to this growth. Launched on January 17, the TRUMP token generated substantial attention, pushing trading volume on the network by over $11 billion.
Decentralized trading platforms, such as Raydium, also contributed to Solana’s expansion. Raydium alone accounts for $3.33 billion of the TVL. However, Solana’s TVL remains far below Ethereum’s $68 billion, indicating considerable potential for further growth.
The spike in TVL reflects a broader increase in network activity. Solana now processes roughly 300 million transactions daily and supports over 4 million active addresses. This uptick in user engagement signals rising confidence in the platform’s potential, attracting both users and developers.
Solana’s Memecoin Success – TRUMP and PENGU Lead the Charge
Solana’s momentum has gained significant traction through notable projects, including the TRUMP token and Pudgy Penguins’ PENGU token, recently launched on its network. Solana has solidified its position as a premier platform for successful memecoin launches throughout 2024, enhancing its status as a leader in innovative digital assets.
Daily transaction fees surged to $33.3 million last Sunday, marking a record high and reflecting heightened network activity. Concurrently, Meteora achieved a 24-hour swap volume of $5.6 billion, with over $4 billion attributed to TRUMP token pairs. These metrics highlight the ecosystem’s expanding influence in decentralized finance (DeFi) and trading.
Experts view Solana’s rapid growth as the initial phase of a broader evolution. Its advancing DeFi infrastructure and ability to attract new projects signal the significant potential for continued expansion. Nonetheless, regulatory uncertainties remain a key challenge for sustained progress.
What’s Next for Solana ETFs?
The approval of a Solana-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) faces considerable regulatory hurdles. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart highlighted that the SEC’s classification of Solana as security complicates its evaluation of a commodities ETF.
The SEC’s Division of Enforcement is calling Solana a security, which prevents other SEC divisions from analyzing it for a commodities ETF wrapper,
Leah Wald, CEO of Sol Strategies, expressed doubts about swift progress. She emphasized that regulatory shifts would likely depend on a leadership change within the SEC. Wald speculated that Paul Atkins, a pro-crypto advocate, could drive favorable decisions on Solana ETFs if appointed. Wald added:
I think there’s quite a while until a SOL ETF gets approved.
Despite these challenges, Solana’s sustained growth and innovative ecosystem have positioned it as a strong contender in the blockchain space. While it may take time to resolve regulatory issues, the network’s momentum signals a promising future.
