Solana (SOL)
Layer 1 smart-contract platform
Solana is a high-throughput proof-of-stake blockchain whose mainnet beta launched in March 2020. SOL pays for transactions and is staked to secure the network; fees are usually a fraction of a cent.
Profile last verified 23 September 2026. Live figures from CoinGecko. Not investment advice.
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What is Solana?
Solana was founded by Anatoly Yakovenko and uses a clock called Proof of History alongside proof of stake to order transactions quickly. It is popular for trading, payments, NFTs and new token launches.
SOL has no maximum supply. Inflation started at 8% a year and falls each year toward a long-term floor of 1.5%, and part of every transaction fee is burned.
Key facts
| Ticker | SOL |
|---|---|
| Type | Layer 1 smart-contract platform |
| Launched | March 2020 (mainnet beta) |
| Consensus | Proof of stake with Proof of History |
| Supply | No hard cap; annual inflation declines each year toward 1.5%. Part of each fee is burned. |
| Official site | solana.com |
What SOL is used for
- Low-cost payments and stablecoin transfers
- Decentralized exchanges and trading apps
- Staking SOL for rewards
Main risks
- The network has had several full outages (for example in 2021, 2022 and February 2024)
- Running a validator needs expensive hardware, which limits who can take part
- Many tokens launched on Solana are highly speculative or scams
Related guides
Solana: frequently asked questions
- Why are Solana fees so low?
- Solana processes many transactions in parallel with fast block times, so block space is plentiful. Fees can rise for priority during busy periods.
- Can I stake SOL?
- Yes. You can delegate SOL to a validator from most Solana wallets and earn a share of inflation rewards, with no fixed minimum beyond account fees.
- Has Solana ever gone down?
- Yes. The network halted several times between 2021 and 2024 and was restarted by validators. Reliability has improved, but it remains a known risk.