Solana is a fast, low-cost blockchain for decentralized apps like exchanges, games, NFT markets, and payments.
Its native token, SOL, powers the network. Use SOL to pay fees, stake with validators to secure the chain, and vote on upgrades.
Solana’s key idea is Proof of History, a cryptographic clock that lets the network agree on time and order. Validators can then process many transactions in parallel, so confirmations are quick and fees stay low.
A brief history
- 2017 to 2020: research, Proof of History, testnets, mainnet beta
- 2021: NFT and DeFi growth
- 2022 to 2025: reliability upgrades, Firedancer testing, higher on-chain activity
SOL, the chain’s token
SOL keeps the network running.
- Transaction fees for swaps, trades, NFT mints, and smart contract calls
- Staking by delegating to validators to earn rewards and support security
- Governance to vote on protocol proposals and upgrades
Store SOL in wallets like Phantom, Solflare, or Ledger. For long-term holding, consider a hardware wallet.
What makes Solana unique
Bitcoin enabled peer-to-peer payments but is slow. Ethereum added smart contracts but handles fewer transactions per second.
Solana uses Proof of History and parallel processing to order and execute transactions quickly. It is designed to handle tens of thousands of transactions per second in peak conditions, with fees often under $0.01.
Proof of History explained
Most blockchains slow down while validators agree on transaction order in real time.
Proof of History acts like a shared timestamp everyone can verify.
Paired with proof of stake, validators line up transactions and process many at once.
Staking and governance
Validators secure the network by staking SOL and need reliable uptime and hardware.
If you do not run a validator, delegate SOL to one to earn rewards and help decentralize the network.
SOL also carries governance rights, allowing holders to take part in proposals and community discussions, though much of Solana’s governance still happens off-chain.
Apps and tokens on Solana
- NFTs: collections like Degenerate Ape Academy and Solana Monkey Business, marketplaces like Magic Eden
- DeFi: exchanges like Serum and Orca, lending, liquid staking
- Stablecoins: large USDC supply used for payments and trading
- Gaming and social: low fees suit high-volume apps
Developers create fungible tokens and NFTs with the Solana Program Library (SPL).
Risks and challenges
Solana’s speed has not come without setbacks. The network has experienced outages that raised questions about reliability. Running a validator also requires more powerful hardware than some other chains, which can limit participation. Combined with the concentration of stake among larger players, these factors have fueled concerns about centralization.
At the same time, the Solana team and its community are working on fixes. Upgrades such as the Firedancer client are designed to make the network more resilient while keeping its hallmark speed and low costs.
World Mobile is now on Solana!
In September 2025, World Mobile brought WMTx to Solana. The integration uses Chainlink CCIP to move tokens securely between Solana and other chains. The first WMTx liquidity pool launched on Raydium, Solana’s largest decentralized exchange, giving users direct access to trade inside one of the busiest DeFi markets.
Why Solana
Solana’s speed and low fees have made it a hub for decentralized physical infrastructure projects. By joining, World Mobile adds something new: people-powered mobile connectivity. The launch also coincided with Solana Summer House in Los Angeles, where World Mobile joined builders and communities shaping Solana’s ecosystem.
What this unlocks
WMTx can now live and move on Solana. Users can swap on Raydium, bridge via Chainlink CCIP, and build Solana-native apps with WMTx at the core. This expansion is additive, not a replacement. WMTx remains live on World Mobile Chain, Cardano, Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and BNB Chain.
How to swap SOL to WMTx
- Go to the official Raydium swap page.
- Connect your Solana wallet.
- Select SOL as the token you want to swap and WMTx as the token you want to receive.
- Enter the amount of SOL you want to trade.
- Review the transaction details and confirm the swap.
- Wait for the transaction to settle and check your wallet for WMTx.
Read more: Raydium | Swap SOL to WMTx
How to bridge WMTx to Solana
From Base or Ethereum
- Go to the official Chainlink Transporter.
- Connect your EVM wallet (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rabby).
- Select Base or Ethereum as the source chain.
- Choose WMTx as the token and Solana as the destination.
- Make sure you have ETH for gas on the source chain and a small amount of SOL in your Solana wallet.
- Confirm the transfer and wait for the bridge to finalize. Your WMTx will appear in your Solana wallet.
From Cardano
- Move WMTx from Cardano to Ethereum using the SingularityNET Bridge.
- Once your WMTx is on Ethereum, follow the same steps above to send it from Ethereum to Solana using Chainlink Transporter.
Important reminders
- Always verify contract addresses before sending.
- For full walkthroughs, see World Mobile’s migration guide.
The bottom line
Solana is built to process transactions quickly and at low cost. It has become home to thriving NFT, DeFi, and gaming communities. Now, with World Mobile bringing WMTx onto Solana, it also supports decentralized telecom.
Challenges around reliability and decentralization remain, but upgrades and adoption are moving forward. For World Mobile, Solana offers speed, scale, and a vibrant builder ecosystem. For Solana, World Mobile adds a new layer of real-world utility: people-powered connectivity.