Network progressing, cautious traders: Solana seeks its direction

The SOL is currently at a real crossroads. Solana’s native crypto has risen nearly 30% in one month, reaching the 210 dollar zone. However, it still struggles to cross the technical barrier of 215 dollars, where sellers and buyers clash. Some analysts see the beginnings of a new boom driven by the Solana ETF and recent network upgrades. Others fear that massive profit-taking will bring the price below 200 dollars. Between hopes and doubts, Solana hesitates on the road to follow.

Market Anticipation Surrounds Solana’s Next Catalyst

The factor attracting attention is indeed the potential approval of a Solana ETF in the United States. The SEC has requested new updates of files , a sign the process is entering its final stretch. Prediction markets now estimate the chances of approval between 90 and 99%, with a possible decision in October. 

Behind this wait, a real competition is forming: Fidelity, VanEck, Grayscale, CoinShares and Franklin Templeton are vying for the privilege to launch the first product.

An ETF could transform the market by opening the floodgates to institutional capital. The expected impact would be comparable to what the Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs caused earlier this year. 

Some predict that SOL could reach between 250 and 300 dollars if the green light is given. For now, Solana remains stuck below 215 dollars , but the market holds above 200 dollars despite selling pressure. 

However, the 2 million SOL sent to exchanges this week remind us that investors are ready to cash out their gains if the news does not follow.

Alpenglow: the upgrade redefining blockchain speed

While the ETF fuels excitement, the Solana network offers a major technological advancement. The Alpenglow upgrade , adopted by over 98% of validators, reduces block finality time from 12.8 seconds to 100–150 milliseconds. This places Solana among the fastest blockchains in the world, with huge potential for decentralized finance and gaming applications.

This upgrade brings Solana’s performance closer to that of traditional financial systems, reducing the gap between Web3 and classical finance. Already, Galaxy Digital has paved the way by tokenizing regulated stocks directly on the Solana blockchain. 

This convergence between institutions and decentralized technology shows that blockchain is no longer just a field of speculation: it becomes a credible alternative for concrete use cases.

Solana facing the speculative uproar of memecoins 

While Solana lines up technical progress and attracts institutional attention, another part of the market prefers chasing the spectacular promises of memecoins. Rollblock (RBLK) raised 11.5 million dollars and claims over 55,000 users. BullZilla (BZIL) relies on its “Roar Burn” mechanism to excite the crowds. 

Some numbers that highlight the contrast

• +30% for the SOL price in one month, but stubborn resistance at 215 dollars;
• 2 million SOL sent to exchanges, sign of potential sales;
• 90 to 99% probability of a Solana ETF according to markets;
• Galaxy Digital becomes the first player to tokenize stocks on the Solana blockchain.

These alternative projects illustrate the eternal tension of the crypto market: on one side, the patient construction of solid infrastructures; on the other, the lure of quick wins. Solana must therefore not only charm regulators and institutions but also remain audible amid the noise of speculative tokens.

If Solana were to pause, the question would inevitably resurface among investors: what if it was actually the right moment to buy ? Between volatility and impatience, the answer still belongs to the markets.