Solana’s On-Chain Trading Volume Reaches a Pivotal High

Solana CRYPTO000SOL

The Solana blockchain is entering 2026 on a wave of powerful fundamental momentum. Beyond notable price action, a single development is capturing significant attention: the network's trading volume has now eclipsed that of nearly every major centralized cryptocurrency exchange. This dramatic liquidity shift, fueled by billions in institutional capital, is prompting a serious discussion about whether decentralized finance (DeFi) is finally poised to supplant traditional trading venues.

The surge in on-chain activity is not merely a retail-driven phenomenon. A recent CoinShares report highlights that investment products focused on Solana witnessed an astonishing 1,000% increase in inflows during 2025, totaling $3.6 billion. This occurred as inflows into Bitcoin products saw a year-over-year decline, signaling that investors are actively seeking alternatives within the altcoin sector.

Corporations are also increasingly leveraging the blockchain for treasury management strategies. Approximately 5.9 million SOL—roughly one percent of the total supply—is now held in corporate treasuries, where it is being used to generate yields between seven and eight percent. This trend is exemplified by partnerships like the one between DeFi Development Corp. and the Hylo protocol, designed to manage corporate funds more efficiently within the DeFi ecosystem.

On-Chain Volume Surpasses Traditional Exchanges

The closing months of 2025 revealed a remarkable transformation in the crypto landscape. Fresh data confirms that Solana achieved an on-chain spot trading volume of $1.6 trillion. This performance boosted its share of the global spot market to 12%—a massive leap from just one percent three years prior.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Solana?

The comparison with established crypto infrastructure is particularly striking. Solana's transaction volume now exceeds that of industry giants including Coinbase, Bybit, and Bitget. Only Binance currently processes more volume than the Solana network. Market observers interpret this as evidence of a fundamental migration of liquidity toward faster blockchains that enable more efficient direct "on-chain" trading.

Technical Outlook and Network Developments

From a chart perspective, Solana's price has broken free from a downtrend that had been in place since October. Currently trading around $135, the asset is consolidating above key support levels. This positive momentum is further supported by the upcoming "Alpenglow" upgrade, which aims to reduce transaction finality times to under one second (100-250ms).

Key Technical Levels:

• Resistance: The immediate price targets are found at $138 and $140. A more decisive barrier awaits at the $145 level.
• Support: Strong buying zones have been established at $130 and $134.
• Momentum: Bulls have taken near-term control, with SOL posting a weekly gain of 7.87% and its RSI hovering in a neutral-to-positive range.

Bolstered by this combination of technical strength and institutional adoption, Solana has positioned itself as a primary layer for global liquidity. The critical factor for its continued price appreciation will be whether the market can achieve a sustained breakout above the $145 resistance, potentially clearing a path toward the $150 to $155 range.