Solana is Still Going Up Despite Delayed Decision from SEC! Can This Last?
2025-05-21
Despite regulatory roadblocks and delayed ETF decisions, Solana (SOL) continues its upward trajectory, defying bearish expectations and igniting bullish speculation across the market. As of writing, SOL is hovering around $167, marking a 3.6% daily gain and boasting over 20% appreciation this month alone.
This sustained momentum, even amid SEC uncertainty, has prompted both investors and analysts to re-examine Solana's core fundamentals.
In this article, we’ll unpack what’s fueling Solana’s resilience, evaluate its price outlook, and explore whether this rally can hold in the face of upcoming macro and regulatory challenges.
What is Solana (SOL)?
Solana is a high-performance, Layer-1 blockchain platform known for its ultra-fast transaction speeds and low costs. It leverages a unique consensus mechanism—Proof-of-History (PoH)—combined with Proof-of-Stake (PoS), enabling rapid block finality and massive throughput.
Often dubbed the “Ethereum killer,” Solana has become a go-to network for decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi, and NFT projects due to its scalability and developer-friendly architecture.
Read Also: Can Solana (SOL) Reach $10,000? When and What Triggers It?
Solana Price Overview: SOL Price Today
Currently priced around $167, Solana has climbed 3.6% in the last 24 hours and added more than 20% to its valuation this month. The momentum persists despite the SEC delaying its verdict on Grayscale’s Solana ETF proposal, now expected in October 2025.
Technical charts show SOL testing a key resistance level at $170. A break above could validate a continuation toward $200, whereas a pullback could send prices revisiting the $150 support zone.
This price action is underpinned by on-chain strength and renewed interest from institutional traders and dApp users alike.
Read Also: Solana Q1 Update: Is the Blockchain Still Growing?
Key Factors Driving Solana’s Bullish Momentum
ETF Delay But Not Denial
Although the SEC delayed its decision, approval odds remain at 90% for 2025, maintaining long-term optimism.
Dominance in dApp Revenue
Solana captured over $50 million in dApp revenue last week, outperforming Ethereum’s 14% market share with more than 50% of the total.
Cross-Chain Expansion via Chainlink CCIP
Chainlink’s CCIP launch on Solana is revolutionizing token transfer security with over $19 billion in CCIP‑ready assets, appealing to both DeFi builders and institutions.
Alpenglow Infrastructure Upgrade
Proposed by Solana Labs spinout Anza, this upgrade could redefine Solana’s scalability and consensus, potentially the network’s most transformative evolution yet.
Validator Demand and Fee Revenue Surge
Jito validator tips surged 57%, nearing 21,000 SOL ($3.63M)—a signal of increasing transaction complexity and network activity.
Bitcoin’s Macro Tailwind
With $5.5 billion flowing into crypto funds and BTC reclaiming $105,000, high-throughput platforms like Solana are catching the bullish spillover.
Solana’s Ecosystem Growth: More Than Just Price Action
Solana’s rally is underpinned by explosive ecosystem development. From memecoins like Pump.fun driving community engagement to enterprise-grade integrations such as Chainlink CCIP, Solana’s ecosystem is diversifying fast. dApps, DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and even real-world asset projects are increasingly choosing Solana for its superior transaction speed and scalability.
Moreover, Solana’s core developer activity remains one of the highest in the industry, suggesting that the blockchain’s evolution isn’t hype-driven—it’s builder-backed.
The upcoming Alpenglow proposal is expected to further decentralize consensus and boost finality speed, adding technical credibility to SOL’s valuation. In a market where infrastructure and speed matter, Solana is setting benchmarks.
Read Also: Mapping Solana's Competitors: 7 List of Alternatives to Solana
Institutional Appetite: Why Big Players Are Watching Solana
Institutional interest is surging, not just in Bitcoin but also in next-gen chains like Solana. With ETF proposals in the pipeline and Grayscale’s Solana Trust attracting speculative attention, Solana is moving from retail favorite to institutional watchlist.
The $19B+ in assets becoming interoperable via Chainlink CCIP is another sign of maturing infrastructure—something institutional finance requires to participate securely.
In addition, the rise in validator tips and blockspace competition reflects high-fee transactions typical of arbitrage, DeFi, and financial operations—not meme trades alone. If approved in 2025, Solana-based ETFs could usher in a new capital wave into the ecosystem.
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Risk Factors: What Could Derail Solana’s Rally?
While the indicators are bullish, Solana isn’t immune to downside risks:
SEC Volatility: Though approval odds are high, a sudden regulatory pivot or negative commentary could disrupt sentiment quickly.
Technical Failure of Alpenglow: The Alpenglow upgrade must be executed flawlessly. Any delay or bug could spark bearish reactions.
Overheating Metrics: The surge in validator tips and high-fee congestion could reflect short-term speculative bursts, not sustainable utility.
Macro Headwinds: If Bitcoin falters or global liquidity dries up, altcoins like Solana will feel the impact disproportionately.
The rally’s sustainability will depend on not just fundamentals but also timing and sentiment—a delicate balance in crypto cycles.
Read Also: Solana vs XRP: Comparing Transaction Speeds
Solana Price Prediction – Short-Term Outlook
Resistance Level: $170
Support Level: $150
Short-Term Price Range: $165–$200
A sustained move above $170 could send SOL to $200, especially if ETF narratives remain favorable and Bitcoin continues to rally. However, failure to hold above $165 may invite a retest of $150, especially if macro pressures or regulatory developments turn bearish. The near-term direction hinges on news related to Alpenglow, SEC updates, and BTC sentiment.
Will This Momentum Last? A Strategic Outlook
Solana’s ability to thrive amidst regulatory uncertainty signals strong underlying fundamentals. The network's high developer engagement, dominance in dApp economics, and growing interoperability ecosystem make it more than just a speculative asset—it’s becoming core infrastructure.
Should the Alpenglow upgrade proceed smoothly and macro sentiment remain risk-on, Solana could break decisively into higher territory. However, traders should remain cautious of market-wide corrections, especially with the SEC's unpredictable stance.
Read Also: Solana's DeFi TVL Raises! Will This Cause a Bullish Momentum for SOL?
Conclusion
Solana’s current rally is not simply the result of market hype—it’s backed by real-world usage, technological innovation, and capital inflow.
With pivotal developments like Chainlink CCIP, Alpenglow, and a strong chance of a 2025 ETF approval, Solana is positioning itself at the center of the next-generation blockchain stack. Still, as with all crypto investments, staying informed and cautious is key.
For deeper insights and the latest Solana updates, explore the full range of tools and analysis on the Bitrue website.
FAQ
Q: What is the current price of Solana (SOL)?
A: Solana is trading around $167, up 3.6% daily and over 20% monthly.
Q: Why is Solana still rising despite SEC delays?
A: Despite delays in ETF approval, Solana continues to gain thanks to strong on-chain metrics, high dApp revenue, and new cross-chain integration like Chainlink CCIP.
Q: What are the key support and resistance levels for SOL?
A: Support is around $150, with resistance at $170. A breakout could see SOL hit $200.
Q: Can Solana sustain this momentum?
A: If macro sentiment stays positive and the Alpenglow upgrade succeeds, Solana could maintain upward pressure, especially with increasing institutional and DeFi interest.
Q: Where can I learn more about Solana or buy SOL?
A: Visit Bitrue for the latest market analysis, trading tools, and Solana investment opportunities.
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