Solana (SOL), which calls itself “the world’s fastest blockchain,” is making headlines for its explosive transaction speeds and high token price. But is it all sunshine and rainbows in Solana land, or are there cracks in the seemingly smooth road?
Related reading
Solana takes the TPS crown
According to CoinGecko data, Solana outperforms competitors like Polygon and Ethereum in transactions per second (TPS). This translates into faster transaction processing times, which is a key factor for scalability and mass adoption in the blockchain world.
However, a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture. While daily active addresses, which represent unique users interacting with the network, have indeed increased, the number of daily transactions has not kept pace.
This points to a scenario where more users are entering the Solana ecosystem, but they are not necessarily making a high volume of transactions. Is this a case of casual crypto tourists, or is something else at play?
Fees are faltering, but is it a sustainable segment?
Another interesting issue is the low transaction fees on Solana. This may seem like good news to users, but it can be a double-edged sword. Lower fees may indicate that the transactions being processed are less complex and require fewer fees.
This will likely limit Solana's revenue generation in the long term. In addition, lower fees may indicate a decrease in network congestion, which may explain the stagnant number of daily transactions.
DeFi keeps the party going, but caution is flashing
The bright spot for Solana is the continued growth in the total value locked (TVL) of decentralized finance (DeFi). DeFi refers to a set of financial services built on blockchain, and TVL represents the total value of crypto assets deposited in DeFi protocols.
Solana's rising TVL indicates its growing adoption in the DeFi space, where users can lock up their cryptocurrencies to earn interest or engage in other financial activities. This is a positive sign for the overall health of the Solana ecosystem.
Related reading
However, there is a cautionary note emerging from technical indicators such as the Money Flow Index (MFI). This indicator indicates a possible correction in the SOL price, indicating that the current uptrend may not be completely sustainable.
Combine this with mixed signals about network activity and a declining fee structure, and investors are left with a question mark hanging over Solana's long-term prospects.
Blockchain is on high alert, but the destination is unclear
Solana's incredible transaction speeds and strong DeFi presence are undeniable strengths. However, the network's overall activity and token economics raise questions about its long-term viability.
Meanwhile, at the time of writing, SOL was trading at $185, up 7.1% and 26.0% on the daily and weekly time frames, data from Coingecko shows. This rise in prices, coupled with the network's ultra-fast transaction speeds, paints a picture of a project with huge potential.
However, for Solana to become a truly dominant force, it will need to address questions surrounding its network's activity and long-term sustainability, not to mention adding more fuel to its price.
Featured image from F1, chart from TradingView