- Solana’s revenue hit $2.85B, outpacing Ethereum’s early-stage growth by 30x.
- Solana saw $1.12B in revenue from trading platforms in the past year.
- Solana’s daily active addresses reached 1.2–1.5 million, three times Ethereum’s.
- Nearly $4B in SOL tokens are held by public companies, fueling growth.
Solana’s recent financial performance has surpassed expectations, with a report by 21Shares revealing that the blockchain generated $2.85 billion in revenue between October 2024 and September 2025. This impressive revenue puts Solana’s growth far ahead of Ethereum at a similar stage in its development. The blockchain’s diverse ecosystem, including DeFi, AI applications, and trading platforms, has driven this significant revenue surge, demonstrating Solana’s growing influence in the crypto space.
Solana’s Revenue Growth Outpaces Ethereum
According to 21Shares, Solana’s annual revenue reached $2.85 billion, averaging $240 million monthly. This growth was particularly notable during the memecoin boom in January 2025, where Solana’s revenue peaked at $616 million. Even after the memecoin frenzy subsided, Solana maintained a solid revenue stream, with monthly figures remaining between $150 million and $250 million.
This remarkable revenue growth is largely driven by the activity on Solana’s trading platforms, which accounted for $1.12 billion, or 39% of the total revenue. DeFi, AI applications, and decentralized exchanges also contributed to Solana’s success, making the blockchain a key player in various sectors. Solana’s ability to generate substantial revenue is an indication of its growing dominance within the crypto space.
A Comparison with Ethereum’s Early Growth
The 21Shares report draws attention to the significant difference in revenue generation between Solana and Ethereum at a similar stage in their lifecycles. While Ethereum’s monthly revenue five years after launch was under $10 million, Solana now generates 20 to 30 times more revenue. This outperformance can be attributed to Solana’s lower fees, higher efficiency, and an overall more attractive ecosystem for users and developers.
Solana’s ecosystem currently supports between 1.2 and 1.5 million daily active addresses, far surpassing Ethereum’s early growth at this stage. These factors suggest that Solana has the potential to continue scaling at a faster rate than Ethereum did during its first few years, which could have broader implications for the broader blockchain market.
The Role of Public Companies in Solana’s Growth
A key aspect of Solana’s current success is the involvement of public companies accumulating large amounts of SOL tokens. Nearly $4 billion worth of SOL is now held by public companies on their balance sheets. Entities like Forward Industries and Solmate (formerly Brera Holdings) have rebranded themselves as Solana-focused companies, signaling a growing interest from institutional investors.
These institutional investments have helped increase Solana’s credibility and adoption, leading to its broader use in the finance and blockchain industries. The increased institutional backing has also been a crucial factor in driving the value of Solana’s token and supporting the overall growth of its ecosystem.
The Potential Impact of Solana ETFs
As Solana continues to grow, the approval of a Solana-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) could further boost its adoption. Several companies, including Fidelity and VanEck, have filed for approval with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While a U.S. government shutdown has delayed these decisions, market analysts remain optimistic that Solana ETFs will receive approval by the end of 2025.
If these ETFs are approved, it would provide more institutional investors with a direct means of exposure to Solana, further solidifying its position as a leading blockchain in the cryptocurrency market. The growing presence of Solana on public company balance sheets and the anticipated approval of Solana ETFs indicate a promising future for the blockchain and its broader ecosystem.
