Introduction:
- Solana experienced significant growth in 2021, but faced challenges in 2022 including a bear market, FTX issues, and network outages.
- Despite doubts, Solana has shown resilience with outperforming prices, strengthened fundamentals, and growing developer momentum.
Key Takeaways:
- Fundamentals for Future Growth:
- Network upgrades, innovations like SuperTokens, and developer momentum position Solana well.
- On-Chain Metrics:
- Long-term holder accumulation and efficient liquidity use on Solana.
- Major Narratives for 2024:
- LSD-Fi, real-world assets (RWAs), and decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN).
- Risks:
- Future FTX estate SOL unlocks and competition from Ethereum layer 2 solutions or new blockchains.
Five Fundamental Factors Propelling SOL:
- Nearly 100% Uptime:
- Improved stability with only one outage in 2023 due to the 1.14 network upgrade.
- 1.16 Upgrade:
- Dramatic reduction in RAM usage, introduction of confidential transfers, and enhanced support for zero-knowledge proofs.
- Firedancer:
- A revolutionary Solana validator client improving efficiency and scalability, setting the stage for scalability improvements.
- SuperToken:
- Major innovation offering novel capabilities, enhancing DeFi privacy, and enabling various use cases.
- VC Funding Driving Ecosystem Innovation:
- Despite an 85% decrease in monthly VC funding, Solana’s hackathons and developer momentum demonstrate strength.
Three On-Chain Metrics Supporting Bull Case:
- Exchange Balances:
- Recent uptick in exchange inflows, but long-term holders show accumulation.
- Solana Active Stake:
- Despite short-term price surge, total staked SOL has modestly increased, indicating strong long-term holder commitment.
- Growing Trading Volume:
- Solana’s trading revenue surpasses Ethereum, highlighting efficient liquidity use.
Three Exciting Narratives in 2024:
- LSD-Fi:
- Liquid staking protocols driving TVL growth, with potential for LSD-Fi protocols to attract new liquidity.
- RWAs:
- SuperToken’s launch enhancing real-world asset integration, fostering innovation in RWA protocols.
- DePIN:
- Emergence of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) on Solana, attracting new users and opportunities.
Potential Risks to Watch:
- FTX Estate Holdings:
- Unlocks of FTX estate SOL holdings may introduce selling pressure.
- Increased Competition:
- Possibility of other blockchains improving to outperform Solana, particularly monitoring Ethereum’s scaling advancements.
SOL Price Target 2025:
- Based on historical ratios and Solana capturing 5% of Ethereum’s market value, a target of 0.05 ETH/SOL is reasonable.
- Price projections range from $150 to $500 depending on Ethereum’s price.
Disclaimer: The information is not financial or investment advice, provided for entertainment purposes only, and individual responsibility is emphasized for capital-related decisions.