Solana (SOL) is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for speed, scalability, and low-cost transactions. It supports smart contracts and enables the development of a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps), including DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, and Web3 games. Known for its exceptionally fast block times and low fees, Solana can process thousands of transactions per second (TPS), making it one of the fastest blockchains in the industry.

Unlike many blockchains that rely on traditional scaling solutions, Solana’s architecture is built to scale natively. It doesn’t require Layer 2 rollups for transaction throughput, though Layer 2s on Solana are emerging to improve interoperability with other blockchains rather than to solve performance limitations.

Solana achieves its high throughput by combining a novel consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH) with Proof of Stake (PoS). PoH serves as a cryptographic clock that orders transactions before they’re processed by the network, significantly speeding up block validation. This hybrid approach helps Solana tackle the blockchain trilemma—balancing decentralization, security, and scalability—more effectively than many of its peers.

Solana’s growing ecosystem includes thousands of projects and a vibrant developer community, all contributing to its role as a leading platform for scalable, user-friendly Web3 experiences.