Solana is a crypto computing platform that aims to achieve high transaction speeds without sacrificing decentralization. It employs a bundle of novel approaches, including the “proof of history” mechanism. Solana’s native cryptocurrency is SOL, which is used to pay transaction fees and for staking. It also gives holders the right to vote in future upgrades.
In August 2021, prices for SOL — the cryptocurrency that helps power the smart-contract-compatible Ethereum competitor Solana — suddenly spiked from around $30 at the beginning of the month to around $75 three weeks in, drawing mainstream attention to the altcoin.
SOL got a boost from one of the biggest crypto trends of the summer: the launch of a primate-themed NFT collectible project. Specifically, the Degenerate Ape Academy NFTs, the first major NFT project to launch on the Solana blockchain. But what exactly is ?
Like Ethereum, is both a cryptocurrency and a flexible platform for running crypto apps — everything from Degenerate Apes to the Serum decentralized exchange (or DEX). Its major innovation is speed, via a bundle of new technologies including a consensus mechanism called proof of history. can process around 50,000 transactions per second — compared to 15 or less for Ethereum (the ETH2 upgrade, which is currently underway, is designed to make Ethereum much faster than it is now).
Because is so fast, congestion and fees remain low. Developers hope high speeds and low fees will eventually enable Solana to scale to compete with centralized payment processors like Visa.
native cryptocurrency is SOL. It’s used to pay transaction fees and for staking. SOL is available to buy and sell via exchanges like Binance
How does it work ?
stands out for its speed and efficiency in processing transactions on its blockchain. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how achieves this:
Core Technologies:
- Proof-of-History (PoH): This is innovative timestamping system. It creates a verifiable record of when transactions occur, allowing validators to order them efficiently without needing complex computations.
- Proof-of-Stake (PoS): leverages PoS like other blockchains. Validators who verify transactions are chosen based on the amount of SOL they have staked.
Solana’s Advantage:
- Combined Power: PoH and PoS work together. PoH creates the timestamps, and PoS ensures validators securing the network have a stake in its success.
- Parallel Processing: Unlike some blockchains that process transactions one by one, Solana can handle them in parallel, significantly improving throughput.
- Transaction Clock: uses a unique “clock” system to keep all validators synchronized, further enhancing efficiency.
Additional Considerations:
- Hardware Requirements: Running a validator node requires powerful hardware, so participation is not for everyone. However, you can still delegate your stake to validators.
- Network Scalability: Solana’s architecture is designed to scale efficiently as more users join the network.
What makes Solana unique?
When Bitcoin was invented more than a decade ago, it solved a really tricky problem: how to make it possible for strangers anywhere in the world to make financial transactions over the internet without a payment processor like Visa or PayPal in the middle.
The technology that makes decentralized transactions possible — and which created the whole universe of cryptocurrencies we now know — is called a blockchain. But blockchains typically have one major downside compared to centralized networks like the ones credit-card companies use: they’re slow. As of August 2021, Ethereum typically processes fewer than 15 transactions per second, compared to tens of thousands for Visa’s network.
Solana is one of many new crypto solutions aiming to make crypto networks faster and more scalable. It uses a suite of clever technologies, including a novel mechanism called “proof of history.”
What is proof of history?
As you may know, Bitcoin uses a consensus mechanism called proof of work, which uses miners to validate transactions and produce new BTC. Many newer cryptocurrencies, like Cardano, use a consensus mechanism called proof of stake — in which network participants “stake” their own crypto to get a chance to validate transactions and earn newly minted crypto and fees.
In either case, all the computers in the network need to come to a consensus on certain facts — including when a transaction took place. Solana uses a combination of proof of stake and a new mechanism called “proof of history.” Proof of history is designed to keep time between computers on a decentralized network without all the computers having to communicate about it and come to an agreement. Here’s how it works:
- In the Bitcoin network, for instance, miners perform the critical role of timestamping transactions, which are then bundled into blocks, which are confirmed by the entire network of computers every ten minutes. In the proof of history whitepaper, the technology’s creator notes that “some argue that Bitcoin’s Proof of Work algorithm’s most essential feature is functioning as a decentralized clock for the system.”
- In a centralized system, this clock doesn’t exist because the computers can all trust that timestamps are accurate. Proof of history, on the other hand, is similar to the way that Reddit AMA participants often take a photo with today’s issue of the newspaper. As the technology’s creator puts it, proof of history creates “a historical record that proves that an event has occurred at a specific moment in time.”
- As the blockchain infrastructure experts at Bison Trails describe it: “This process is profoundly different from every other blockchain in which block producers (validators) must communicate with each other to produce blocks and synchronize the state of the network. Solana side-steps this communication requirement and, therefore, can produce blocks much faster: the key to handling more transactions as the network scales.”
How does staking work with Solana?
The computers that secure the network are called validators. Participants stake their own SOL to become a validator, in exchange for a chance at earning new SOL and a cut of fees. (Becoming a validator also requires a fairly high level of technical knowhow.)
SOL also serves as a “governance token,” meaning that holders also are able to vote on future upgrades and governance proposals that are submitted by the Solana community.
, like other Proof of Stake blockchains, allows you to earn rewards by staking your SOL tokens. Here’s a simplified rundown of how it works:
- Delegation: You delegate your SOL tokens to a validator that helps verify transactions and secure the network. By delegating, you essentially vouch for that validator.
- Earning Rewards: Validators with more delegated SOL have more voting power. Based on their performance and the overall amount staked on the network, they earn rewards which are then distributed to you, the delegator.
Benefits of Staking Solana:
- Earn rewards: You get a return on your SOL holdings.
- Network Security: Staking contributes to the overall health and security of the Solana blockchain.
Things to Consider:
- Staking Returns: Solana’s staking returns are currently around 5-7%, but this can fluctuate.
- Validator Selection: Choose a validator with a good reputation and uptime for optimal rewards. There are also centralized exchanges that offer staking services.
What kinds of applications run on Solana?
Like Ethereum, Solana is a computing platform that can interact with smart contracts. Smart contracts power a wide range of applications, from NFT markets and DeFi to games and decentralized lotteries.
As of August 2021, many of the most popular Solana applications are DEXs and lending apps. The crypto app ecosystem on Solana supports billions of dollars worth of assets. One reason a user might choose an app that runs on Solana over, say, Ethereum, is that speeds are high and congestion is low — resulting in very low fees.
The Solana blockchain can also support stablecoins and wrapped assets. As of August 2021, over $700 million worth of USD Coin has been issued on Solana. (USDC’s launch was powered by a collaboration between Coinbase and Circle through the co-founding of the CENTRE Consortium.)
There are, of course, risks associated with emerging crypto applications and technologies, from extreme volatility to the potential for undiscovered smart-contract bugs to be exploited. Especially as a beginner, don’t risk money you can’t afford to lose.
Solana is a platform designed for decentralized applications (dApps) known for its speed and affordability. Here’s a breakdown of the kind of applications you’ll find on Solana:
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Solana offers a variety of DeFi applications that allow users to lend, borrow, trade, and earn interest on their cryptocurrencies without relying on traditional financial institutions. Examples include Orca, a decentralized exchange, and Marinade Finance, a platform for staking your tokens.
- Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs): NFTs are becoming increasingly popular, and Solana is a popular platform for creating and trading them. The faster transaction times and lower fees compared to Ethereum make it attractive for NFT projects.
- Metaverse and Web3 Gaming: The world of virtual experiences and blockchain-based games is taking off, and Solana is at the forefront. Games built on Solana can leverage the platform’s speed to provide smoother gameplay and integrate blockchain elements seamlessly.
- Social Networks and DAOs: Solana is being explored for building social media platforms with a focus on decentralization and user ownership. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) can also be built on Solana, allowing communities to come together and make decisions collectively.
This is just a glimpse into the kind of applications you’ll find on Solana. The platform’s potential for innovation and its focus on scalability are attracting developers to build a wide range of dApps across various sectors. You can explore the Solana ecosystem for a more comprehensive list of projects [Search solana ecosystem ON solana.com].
Can other crypto tokens be issued on the Solana blockchain?
Yes! Much like Ethereum, multiple kinds of tokens can be created on Solana. Both “fungible” and “non-fungible” tokens of many kinds can be created using the Solana Program Library (SPL).
“Non-fungible tokens” (better known as NFTs) are unique, while “fungible” tokens are all exactly the same and equal to all other tokens of that same type. For example, one USDC token held in a wallet is equal to one USDC token held in any other wallet. Fungible tokens on Solana are similar to the popular “ERC-20” token standard on Ethereum, which allows users to create tokens for a wide array of uses such as stablecoins, wrapped tokens, and governance tokens.
Coinbase currently supports a number of Solana tokens (with plans to support more in the future). Here’s some of what you can find:
- FIDA is a token that governs Bonfida, a product suite that aims to build a user interface, API, and data analytics for the popular Serum decentralized exchange on Solana. In addition, Bonfida aims to build solutions on Solana for a decentralized name service and a platform for NFT exchange.
- ORCA is a token that governs the Orca exchange on Solana. Orca aims to enable decentralized token exchange using an automated market maker (AMM) model in which users supply tokens to “liquidity pools” and algorithms set market prices based on supply and demand.
