While everyone watched Bitcoin hit new highs, Solana hit a performance milestone that changes everything.
The network reached 100,000 transactions per second during weekend testing. That’s unprecedented scale for any blockchain network.
SOL jumped 4.2% to $184.38 on the news. But the real story isn’t the speed record.
The Real Story Lives in the Money Flow
Over $1.25 billion in USDC was minted on Solana in just seven days. That brings the 2025 total to $24 billion.
Think about that velocity. Institutions aren’t just testing Solana anymore.
They’re building on it at scale.
The DeFi numbers confirm this shift. Total value locked hit $11.24 billion, the highest since February. Recent reports show Solana’s TVL reaching up to $13 billion. Protocols like Kamino Finance and Jupiter Exchange are driving the growth.
Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines
I’ve been tracking the technical indicators alongside the fundamental growth.
A short squeeze liquidated over $30 million in positions within 24 hours. This reduced selling pressure.
Meanwhile, DeFi Development Corp just filed a $1 billion shelf offering to accumulate SOL. Same strategy as MicroStrategy used for Bitcoin.
Institutions see high throughput plus low fees as a competitive edge.
The Competition Response
Layer 2 solutions are scrambling to match Solana’s performance. Ethereum’s Layer 2s like Arbitrum and Polygon are trying to close the gap, but they’re still building on top of Ethereum’s slower base layer.
Here’s what they’re missing. Solana’s advantage builds on itself.
Every new protocol increases network utility. Every institutional dollar validates the technical foundation. Each developer who picks Solana makes it harder for competitors.
What the Data Suggests Next
Independent analysts predict SOL could reach $400-$500 by late 2025. Based on DeFi growth and potential ETF approvals.
Up to eight Solana ETFs could launch this year. More regulated access for institutions.
Technical performance builds confidence. DeFi growth creates opportunity. ETFs provide access.
I’m watching how quickly this ecosystem scales. The 100,000 TPS milestone removes the final technical objection from enterprise clients.
Solana proved it can handle internet-scale traffic. Now institutions have to decide if they want to build on the fastest network or keep paying higher fees elsewhere.
The window for competitors to catch up is closing fast.
