Solana’s Growth and Airdrops
Solana’s native token, SOL, has been performing exceptionally well recently. It has become the fifth-largest cryptocurrency after surpassing XRP and briefly overtaking BNB. In the past week alone, SOL has surged by almost 23%, driven in part by the excitement surrounding airdrops. This led to the complete sell-out of Solana’s Saga phone and its trading at a premium on secondary markets.
FTX and Alameda’s Holdings
Recent data reveals that FTX and Alameda hold more SOL than Bitcoin and Ether combined. Only 27% of FTX’s total SOL holdings have been unlocked so far, with speculations that a significant portion has already been sold. Spot On Chain’s analysis suggests that FTX and Alameda have moved millions of SOL to exchanges over a specific period.
FTX’s bankruptcy last year resulted in a substantial increase in SOL’s value. However, considering the vesting schedule for FTX and Alameda’s remaining SOL holdings, any potential sell-off is unlikely to have a significant impact on the market in the near future.
Solana’s Rise in DEX Activity
The total value locked (TVL) in Solana has increased by over 516% this year, reaching $1.295 billion. In the past week, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) on Solana surpassed Ethereum in transaction volume. DEX volume on Solana exceeded $10.12 billion, outpacing Ethereum’s $8.82 billion during the same period.
This surge in DEX activity on Solana can be attributed to lower gas fees compared to Ethereum. Additionally, the memecoin BONK gained significant traction on Solana, maintaining a billion-dollar market capitalization for several weeks.
Hot Take: Solana’s Growth and Potential Impact
Solana’s impressive growth, fueled by airdrops and increased DEX activity, has solidified its position as a top cryptocurrency. However, concerns arise with FTX and Alameda holding such a significant amount of SOL. While the vesting schedule may mitigate immediate sell-offs, it remains to be seen how their actions could affect the market in the long term. As Solana continues to attract attention and gain momentum, its future trajectory will be closely watched by investors and enthusiasts alike.