According to Messari’s 2025 Crypto Report, Solana 
$217 is poised for a strong year, bolstered by $173 million in funding received in the third quarter of 2024. This funding marks the best quarter since Q2 2022. The increasing momentum, high performance, and institutional interest position Solana as a leading candidate in the cryptocurrency sector.
Solana’s Layer-2 Ecosystem
Solana’s ecosystem is strengthened by innovations such as Firedancer, Network Extensions, and emerging trends. Firedancer, a high-performance validator client developed by Jump Trading, optimizes transaction speed and scalability on the blockchain. Launched in limited capacity on the mainnet this year, Firedancer is set for full implementation in 2025.
The $173 million funding achieved in the third quarter of 2024 highlights the growing interest in Solana’s ecosystem. This growth enables the introduction of more products and services on the network, especially following the increased interest post-FTX collapse.
Institutional Interest and ETF Expectations
The rise in institutional investments signals a positive outlook for Solana. Applications for Solana spot ETFs from firms like VanEck, Bitwise, and 21Shares indicate significant interest. VanEck has suggested that SOL could soon trade above $500.
“Messari’s 2025 Thesis indicates significant growth potential for Solana’s ecosystem if innovations continue.” – Messari
Innovative projects like MetaDAOs, DePIN protocols, and new players such as the Roma Protocol support Solana’s growth. The network’s modular building blocks further promote the development of the Solana Layer 2 ecosystem.
The increasing interest from institutional investors, alongside looser regulations, could accelerate token growth. Solana’s evolution as a high-performance blockchain allows it to compete against rivals like Ethereum 
$3,997.
The network’s support for more modular building blocks may lead to significant advancements in scalability and usability for Solana’s L2 ecosystem. Overall, Solana’s evolving ecosystem and rising institutional interest indicate a strong potential for future growth.
