Should You Buy Solana in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the evolution of the Solana cryptocurrency for over three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of users in South Africa rely on us to analyse market trends and identify the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical guidelines, HelloSafe has never purchased Solana nor received any remuneration from entities associated with its ecosystem.

Solana in brief

How much does one Solana cost?

The price of Solana is up this week. As of today, Solana (SOL) is trading at around R2,808.30, with a 24-hour increase of +1.8% and a 7-day decline of -3.4%. Its market capitalisation stands at R1.475 trillion, making it the 6th largest crypto asset globally. The average daily trading volume over the past three months is approximately R54 billion, while there are 524.69 million SOL in circulation, representing about 2.4% of the total crypto market. Keep in mind that Solana’s price can be highly volatile, offering both risks and potential opportunities for investors in South Africa.

Our full review of the cryptocurrency Solana

Have investors sufficiently taken into account the transformative momentum underway on Solana, especially in the context of its sharp evolution over the last three years? Our latest research leverages on-chain analytics, technical signals, market data, and a competitive landscape benchmarked by proprietary algorithms to deliver a nuanced view. So, why could Solana emerge in 2025 as a strategic entry point for those targeting the next growth cycle in the Layer-1 and programmable money ecosystem?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Recent Price Evolution

In early June 2025, Solana (SOL) trades at $150.06—a position that, while almost 49% off its all-time high of $294.33 recorded in January 2025, still reflects an astonishing 29,649% cumulative appreciation since its historical low of 2020. Over the past 12 months, SOL has posted a respectable +12.8% gain. The last quarter saw heightened volatility: despite a -3.4% drift over the past week, SOL’s liquidity remains robust with a 24-hour trading volume of $2.85 billion.

Support has materialized at $147.27, with resistance in the $160 region anchoring current price action. The 24h trading band ($147.27–$151.79) reveals ongoing price consolidation that sets the table for a technical inflection.

Recent Positive Events

• Network Upgrades: Agave V2.0 is now deployed on over 90% of validators, boosting network stability and throughput.
• Ecosystem Expansion: Native MetaMask integration and Chainlink’s CCIP enhance Solana’s interoperability and asset bridging, reinforcing its position as a truly cross-chain platform.
• Institutional Engagement: Partnerships with Stripe and BlackRock (BUIDL) signal major institutional confidence, and the impending launch of the Solana Economic Zone in Dubai is set to unlock international adoption.

Macro & Sectoral Tailwinds

The macro backdrop now leans clearly pro-crypto. Global digital asset adoption rates are rising, institutional flows into spot and ETF products are surging, and regulatory signals—witnessed by the 82% probability of a Solana ETF clearance in 2025—fortify the thesis for Layer-1 infrastructure blockchains. These trends bolster the whole programmable money ecosystem, where Solana’s exceptional speed and cost advantages shine.

Technical Analysis

Key Crypto Indicators

• RSI (14D): At 54.1, SOL’s Relative Strength Index signals neutral momentum—neither overbought nor oversold—leaving ample room for trend expansion.
• MACD: Mixed, but the lack of decisive bearish divergence bodes well for further upward movement, especially if momentum consolidates above ~$154.83.
• Moving Averages: The 50-day SMA at $154.83 now acts as a critical magnet for bullish reversals; a successful reclaim above this level could trigger cascading buy signals.
• Support/Resistance: With $147.27 as an established floor, and $160 as the next ceiling of interest, price structure remains constructive for accumulation.

Short & Medium-Term Structure

The combination of resilient support, moderate RSI, and constructive on-chain flows (e.g., increasing stablecoin activity and network usage metrics) positions SOL for a potential reversal. With momentum building after an extended pullback from January highs, Solana could be on the cusp of a new impulsive leg—especially as technical buying is likely to accelerate near key moving averages.

Fundamental Analysis

Growing Adoption & Strategic Partnerships

• Ecosystem Metrics: Solana’s total ecosystem revenue (Chain GDP) reached $1.2 billion in Q1 2025, up 20% QoQ. January alone accounted for nearly $700 million, underscoring robust demand for on-chain applications.
• TVL & DeFi Growth: Despite a USD pullback—TVL sits at $6.6 billion—the number of SOL tokens locked, and DeFi volume (+40.8% QoQ) both surged, testifying to strong native demand.
• Stablecoins: Capitalization soared to $12.5 billion (+145% QoQ), thanks to explosive growth in USDC and USDT activity, confirming Solana as a network of choice for digital cash settlements.
• Partnerships: Recent integrations (MetaMask, Stripe, Dubai VARA, BlackRock, Chainlink CCIP) unlock not just capital and users, but also market trust and cross-market liquidity channels.

Attractive Valuation

• Market Cap: At $78.74 billion, Solana is #6 globally, trailing only Ethereum among Layer-1s. Relative to its current chain activity and sharply rebounding on-chain revenues, this market cap suggests significant room for expansion, especially as valuations elsewhere stretch further.
• Fully Diluted Valuation: With no maximum supply, and an inflation model under review, ongoing debates (SIMD-0228) ensure continuous optimization of tokenomics—further reducing systemic risk when compared to less transparent projects.

Structural Strengths

• Throughput & Cost: Solana processes up to 65,000 TPS at an average cost of $0.04 per transaction. This performance-to-cost ratio is unmatched among Layer-1 competitors, supporting its position in DeFi, NFTs, and next-gen applications like real-world asset tokenization and mobile crypto.
• Validator Network: Over 1,300 validators across 40 countries create a highly decentralized and secure backbone, now further improved by a rising Nakamoto Coefficient.
• Innovative Edge: Solana Mobile (Saga), DePIN incentives ($400M+ distributed), and Real World Asset tokenization ($303M+) position the network to capture some of crypto’s fastest-growing verticals.

Volume, Liquidity & Dominance

Solana’s volumes ($2.85B daily) dwarf those of nearly every Layer-1 except Ethereum and have proven remarkably resilient to market conditions. Liquidity across major exchanges (Binance, OKX, Bitget) is deep, facilitating significant capital deployment and rapid price discovery. With 64% of the circulating supply staked, the ecosystem displays both strong fundamental conviction and staking yield incentives.

Dominance-wise, Solana ranks second among DeFi Layer-1s by TVL, and it leads as the number one blockchain platform for creator royalties in NFTs, giving it both critical mass and breadth.

Positive Catalysts & Forward-Looking Developments

• ETF Approval (Expected 2025): A Solana ETF is priced with 82% probability of approval next year—potentially a watershed moment for US and global institutional inflows.
• Protocol Upgrades: Firedancer, Jump Crypto’s long-awaited client, is set for deployment in Q2 2025, targeting unprecedented throughput and resilience.
• Regulatory & Institutional Tailwinds: BlackRock’s adoption, Dubai’s regulatory green light, and DePIN incentives sustain momentum on both user and capital inflows.
• Use Case Growth: Real-world asset tokenization, mobile hardware, and DeFi/Gaming verticals continue to gain traction, diversifying Solana’s revenue and utility base.

Investment Strategies

Short-Term (Weeks–3 Months)

• Entry on Technical Pullback: With support tested at $147–150, a pullback provides a leveraged entry for tactical investors seeking a near-term breakout toward $160–180.
• Momentum Trading: Watch for price action above the 50-day SMA ($154.83) and RSI turns as confirmation of trend reversal—these are classic signals for a swing trade approach.

Medium-Term (3–12 Months)

• Pre-ETF Positioning: Anticipate the ETF approval timeline (projected in 2025) and follow ecosystem metrics—TVL, DeFi volume, and stablecoin capital—as lead indicators for accumulation.
• Protocol Upgrade Arbitrage: Entering before or directly after the Firedancer client deployment could deliver asymmetric returns as network upgrades are priced in.

Long-Term (12+ Months)

• Secular Growth Bet: For investors with a multi-year horizon, Solana’s combination of high-speed throughput, institutional adoption, and broadening use cases suggest enduring value creation potential.
• Buy and Hold (DCA): Positioning ahead of expected ETF-driven flows and further DeFi/NFT adoption—especially at current valuation metrics—could benefit from compounding network effects and token scarcity through staking.

Solana Price Predictions Table

Is Now the Right Time to Buy Solana?

Key Strengths Summarized

• Market Leadership: Solana stands out for unmatched throughput, leading DeFi/NFT market share, and an active, international validator community, all of which are crucial for sustainable network effects.
• High Conviction Volume: Liquidity and trading volumes remain at institutional-grade levels; nearly two-thirds of SOL is staked, reflecting strong investor confidence.
• Ecosystem Growth: Explosive expansion in core sectors (DeFi, NFTs, Real World Assets, and mobile) drive lasting value creation and provide diverse revenue.
• Forthcoming Catalysts: Multiple imminent tailwinds—ETF approval, major protocol upgrades, regulatory milestones, and blue-chip partnerships—could unlock the next phase of price discovery.

Optimistic Outlook & Consideration

The convergence of technical resilience, accelerating fundamental traction, and high-probability upcoming catalysts creates a positive-to-very-positive risk/reward profile for Solana. The combination of attractive entry points after a deep pullback, strong on-chain/market momentum, and the approach of sizable institutional flows (ETF, BlackRock, stablecoin rails) strongly support renewed interest.

For investors seeking dynamic growth exposure in blockchain infrastructure, Solana seems to represent an excellent opportunity to capitalize on the next crypto innovation wave. The breadth of its ecosystem, strategic partnerships, protocol innovation, and proven adaptability all contribute to a foundation that justifies serious consideration at this stage of the cycle.

Solana remains a high-volatility digital asset, offering outstanding opportunities for dynamic investment—but requiring disciplined risk management. The recent price acceleration demonstrates Solana’s potential for sharp, powerful trends, while ongoing protocol developments and macro tailwinds suggest the possibility of a fresh, sustained bull phase over the coming quarters.

How to buy Solana?

Solana (SOL) is a leading, high-performance cryptocurrency that is simple and secure to purchase online in South Africa through regulated platforms. Investors have two main options: spot buying (where you own real SOL coins in your wallet) or crypto CFD trading (where you speculate on the SOL price without owning the asset). Each method has distinct advantages, fees, and risk profiles. To help you find the best fit for your needs, a comprehensive comparison of platforms is available further down this page.

Spot Buying

Spot buying involves purchasing actual Solana coins, which you then hold in your own crypto wallet. This means you become the direct owner of SOL tokens, able to transfer, stake, or sell them at any time. On most regulated exchanges catering to South Africans, typical fees include a fixed commission per transaction, usually around 0.10% to 0.25%, sometimes with an additional flat ZAR amount per trade.

Example

If the SOL price is $150.06 (about R2,800 using R18.70/$1), investing R18,700 (≈$1,000) lets you acquire roughly 6.68 SOL (R18,700 / R2,800), factoring in about R100 of transaction fees.

Profit Scenario

If Solana's price rises by 10%, your holdings are now worth R20,570.
Result: R1,870 gross gain, or +10% on your initial investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading means you don’t own actual SOL coins. Instead, you take a leveraged position on the price movement, potentially amplifying both gains and risks. CFD platforms charge a spread (the difference between buy/sell prices) and may add overnight funding fees if you hold your position for more than a day.

Example

You invest R18,700 ($1,000) with 5x leverage, giving you exposure to R93,500 ($5,000) worth of SOL.

Profit Scenario

If SOL price increases by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: R7,480 profit on your R18,700 investment (before deducting platform fees).

Final Guidance

Before buying Solana, it is crucial to compare the fees, conditions, and features offered by different platforms—these can have a meaningful impact on your returns. The right choice depends on your investment goals, risk appetite, and experience. For a detailed, up-to-date comparison tailored for South African investors, consult our comparison tool further down this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Solana

The latest news about Solana

Solana has seen significant growth in institutional and retail adoption in South Africa over the past week. Trading on major exchanges such as Binance, OKX, and Bitget remains accessible to South African residents, with strong 24-hour liquidity, enabling both retail and OTC institutional capital to participate. Several leading South African crypto brokers report a marked increase in demand for Solana-based tokens, with local wallets integrating Solana stablecoins (USDC, USDT) following Stripe’s expanded support, which directly benefits merchants and freelancers seeking low-cost, rapid USD-denominated transactions—a feature particularly valuable given rand volatility.

The Solana ecosystem's DeFi and stablecoin performance is directly impacting the local ZA market’s appetite for on-chain applications. Solana’s daily DEX volumes recently averaged $4.6 billion globally, while total stablecoin supply surged by more than 145% quarter-over-quarter. In South Africa, DeFi bridge and staking platforms report increased onboarding, as the Solana ecosystem now offers a compelling alternative to Ethereum, with lower fees and faster settlement times, which are highly valued by local users and fintechs engaged in cross-border activity.

Institutional sentiment is bolstered by Solana’s integration with leading global fintech infrastructure, some of which is seeing pilot use in the South African context. The native integration with MetaMask and Stripe, along with Chainlink’s CCIP adoption for cross-chain operability, means local platforms and payment providers can confidently build on Solana, knowing they have access to compliant, enterprise-level systems. Regulatory uncertainty around crypto exists in South Africa, but recent engagement between South African exchanges and Solana Foundation representatives signifies growing traction toward local pilot projects and increased confidence among high-net-worth individuals and family offices.

Solana’s high transaction throughput and near-instant, low-cost settlement aligns with the needs of the South African remittance and gaming markets. Domestic startups in gaming and mobile micropayments are increasingly using the Solana blockchain for in-app economies, with positive feedback on reliability due to recent technological upgrades such as Agave V2.0 and progress on Firedancer. Moreover, South African fintechs exploring payment rails based on Solana stablecoins report faster onboarding time and reduced friction for both urban and underbanked rural populations.

Positive price dynamics and robust technical signals have strengthened market sentiment toward Solana among South African traders and analysts. Over the past 24 hours, SOL saw a 1.8% price increase; while the 7-day trend is down 3.4%, the broader annual view remains bullish at +12.8%. The RSI is neutral, but sentiment indicators show a 57% bullish consensus. The prospect of a Solana ETF receiving regulatory approval in 2025 and BlackRock’s BUIDL’s move onto Solana are seen as highly constructive signals for continued institutional adoption—an outlook widely shared in the South African investment community and highlighted in local financial press this week.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.