Solana Faces Double Trouble: 55% Network Drop And Price Woes

Christian Encila

3 months ago

3 mins read

Reason to trust

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Created by industry experts and meticulously reviewed

The highest standards in reporting and publishing

How Our News is Made

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Ad discliamer

Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio.

SOL, the native token of the Solana network, is one of the worst-performing cryptos in recent days. Once the darling of the meme coin crowd, the popular blockchain is facing its toughest test yet with its massive price drop and dip in network activity.

SOL is currently trading at $173, but it’s down nearly 10% from last week’s price and 15% from two weeks ago. If we zoom out on its price history, the token is down 27.5% from last month’s price.

Last Tuesday, Solana shed 10% in 24 hours, triggering concerns among holders and long-term investors. According to on-chain data, the token drop was partly driven by the embarrassing launch of LIBRA, which is currently under investigation. LIBRA’s dump after its launch caused panic among meme coin holders, with SOL as one of its most prominent victims.

Network Activity Drops 55% With Low Volume

Solana’s current woes go beyond the recent price action. According to data shared by crypto analyst Ali Martinez, the chain’s activities are slowing down. A Twitter/X post shared on February 17th noted that the number of active addresses on the network dropped to 8.4 million today from 18.5 million in November 2024. This data reflects a 55% drop, an alarming sign that developers are leaving the platform in droves.

Also, the total volume transferred to the network dropped from $2 billion in November to just $26 million this week. This 99% drop reflects the project’s loss of momentum.

The total volume transferred on the #Solana $SOL network has dropped from $2 billion in November to just $26 million today! pic.twitter.com/qgCOmjd2It

— Ali (@ali_charts) February 17, 2025

More Challenges Up Ahead For SOL

Crypto analysts are bracing for the worst for SOL in the next few weeks. Over the next three months, around 15 million SOL tokens valued at $7 billion will be unlocked. And putting the 4.715% inflation rate in the equation, the increased supply of SOL tokens in the market will create selling pressure.

SOL is currently up, but its price is way below its peak. The token is down 27.5% from last month’s price and boasts a market capitalization of around $84 billion. Now, insiders and investors hope the spot SOL ETFs will be approved in the short term.

Are SOL Meme Coins Next?

The SOL price action benefitted from the surge of newly minted meme coins on the platform. However, the number of tokens minted on the platform has decreased considerably in the last few months. Solana was the platform of choice for degens and developers then, thanks primarily to its fast transactions and low cost.

SOL is now trading at $174. Chart: TradingView

However, recent events affected the platform’s reputation, particularly the launch of SOL-based meme coins like MELANIA and LIBRA.

For example, LIBRA was launched with much fanfare, with Argentine President Javier Milei sharing a post and recommending the project. However, minutes after making his post public and pushing the new token past $5, it immediately crashed, leading many to say it was a classic “rug-pull.” MELANIA is also linked to LIBRA; some analysts say they share the same development team.

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

Disclaimer: The information found on NewsBTC is for educational purposes only. It does not represent the opinions of NewsBTC on whether to buy, sell or hold any investments and naturally investing carries risks. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use information provided on this website entirely at your own risk.