At the start of 2023, when all major cryptocurrencies experienced a downturn, Solana was in the worst position of all, with network outages compounded by market conditions causing its price to plummet from $250 all the way down to $9. Fast forward to 2024, and we saw Solana reaching an all-time high, with a booming ecosystem and breaking records in daily transaction volume. In this article, we will look at the top Solana projects—must-haves on your watchlist for 2025!
About Solana
Solana is a Layer 1 blockchain built to support decentralized, scalable applications with high processing speed and minimal latency. Designed to address the limitations of traditional blockchains, Solana is capable of handling thousands of transactions per second, with block times of just 400 milliseconds and fees as low as $0.0025. Its ecosystem caters to real-time applications like gaming and financial services, while offering tools for developers to create Solana-based tokens and financial products. With a total value locked (TVL) exceeding $9B+, Solana continues to push blockchain innovation forward.
Solana Ecosystem
The Solana ecosystem is undeniably thriving! While much of its recent hype began with the memecoin frenzy, one might question—was it Solana’s low costs and scalability that fueled the excitement, or did the hype itself drive this adoption? Regardless of the cause, the buzz has led to increased adoption for existing projects and attracted new ventures exploring the benefits of deploying on the network.
With projects spanning multiple categories—RWA, NFTs, gaming, AI, memes, and DeFi—Solana has created an expansive ecosystem, positioning itself as a prime platform for the widespread adoption of Web3 technologies.
Top 13 Solana Ecosystem Projects
Let’s take a look at some of the largest projects being built on Solana and how they are leveraging the features of the Solana blockchain.
Raydium – $RAY
First on the list, we have Raydium (RAY). Raydium is an automated market maker (AMM) built on Solana, known for its lightning-fast token swaps and incredibly low fees. It lets users swap tokens, create liquidity pools, and earn yield in a permissionless environment. One standout feature is the ability for anyone to create their own liquidity pools, boosting flexibility for projects and users alike.
The platform’s native token, RAY, powers staking, governance, and transaction fees. Currently, the total value locked (TVL) on Raydium—representing the staked assets—is $2.43B, while RAY tokens themselves hold a market cap of $1.43B. For traders and liquidity providers, Raydium is a hub of opportunities within the Solana ecosystem.
Helium – $HNT
Helium (HNT) is a key project within the Solana ecosystem, with a market cap exceeding $1.18B. As a leader in the decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) narrative, Helium has gained significant real-world adoption. It features two networks: IoT, supporting devices like sensors, and Mobile, offering affordable peer-to-peer mobile coverage.
Helium partnered with T-Mobile in 2022 to launch a low-cost 5G plan, now with over 100,000 signups, and is expanding into countries like Mexico. Having raised $365M since its inception and with most HNT already in circulation, Helium remains a compelling option for investors eyeing 2025 growth potential, especially if the DePIN narrative continues to grow.
Pyth Network – $PYTH
Next up, we have Pyth Network (PYTH), a standout oracle protocol in the Solana ecosystem. Pyth connects market data providers—such as leading exchanges and market makers—to decentralized applications across 55+ blockchains. Trusted by over 350 protocols, Pyth delivers real-time and highly accurate data, making it an essential tool for DeFi and other Web3 projects.
Its products include price feeds offering live data for over 500 assets, benchmarks that provide historical price data for both on-chain and off-chain use, and tools like Express Relay, which helps reduce MEV while improving efficiency for protocols.
Pyth’s market cap currently sits at $1.41B, but with a counterpart like Chainlink boasting a $14B market cap, there’s significant room for growth. If Pyth were to achieve Chainlink’s scale, it could see a 10x rise—though this remains speculative, relying on the strength of its technology and team.
Jupiter – $JUP
Another standout project on the Solana blockchain is Jupiter (JUP), a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator designed to simplify trading within the DeFi ecosystem. Jupiter pools liquidity from various sources to offer efficient token swaps, spot trading, perpetual futures, and even decentralized stablecoins. The platform also provides innovative features like limit orders, DCA orders, and up to 100x leverage for perpetual futures.
Additionally, Jupiter offers on-ramp services, allowing users to purchase crypto with credit or debit cards, and bridges to centralized exchanges, making it easy to get started with Solana-based trading.
JUP, the platform’s native governance token, empowers holders to influence key decisions, such as protocol improvements, ecosystem grant allocation, and future launchpad initiatives. Jupiter’s TVL stands at $2.49B, showcasing strong liquidity across its ecosystem, while its market cap of $1.19B highlights its potential for growth. With products like the Pump.fun platform, a mobile app, and liquidity pools, Jupiter continues to establish itself as a vital part of Solana’s growing DeFi landscape.
Jito – $JTO
Jito Network stands as Solana’s leading liquid staking protocol, boasting $3.134B TVL and $850M+ market cap. The protocol enables users to stake SOL and receive JitoSOL, capturing both staking and MEV rewards through its innovative auction system. Operating across 163 validator nodes, Jito enforces strict standards including sub-10% commission rates to ensure network reliability.
The protocol’s three-component infrastructure conducts MEV auctions, distributing rewards between validators and stakers. JitoSOL maintains user liquidity while staking, integrating with Solana’s DeFi ecosystem, while the JTO governance token enables protocol voting rights. Through its MEV optimization approach, Jito has become essential Solana infrastructure, delivering enhanced yields and network efficiency.
Magic Eden – $ME
Magic Eden is a leading multi chain NFT marketplace, originally launched on Solana. It allows users to create, buy, and sell NFTs across Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Polygon. Known for low gas fees and fast transactions, the platform also offers developer tools, an NFT launchpad, and a flexible royalty system. With over 22 million monthly visitors and 8,000+ collections, Magic Eden is a go-to destination for NFT enthusiasts.
Ai16z – $AI16Z
ai16z is a decentralized AI-powered trading fund (AI Agents) built on the Solana blockchain, launched in October 2024. It leverages advanced AI agents to analyze market trends, evaluate community sentiment, and execute trades both on-chain and off-chain. Designed to revolutionize trading, ai16z offers data-driven, transparent, and efficient trading opportunities. Supported by a global community, ai16z funds startups through decentralized algorithms, bypassing conventional VC hierarchies. As the first AI token on Solana to surpass a $2 billion market cap, it sets a new standard in venture funding.
Hivemapper – $HONEY
Hivemapper (HONEY), a DEPIN project, is a decentralized mapping network on Solana that uses AI and crowdsourced data to build and update a global map. Contributors can capture street-level imagery with dashcams or edit maps as AI Trainers to enhance machine learning models. In return, they earn HONEY tokens, which can be redeemed for map access. The network is decentralized, permissionless, and rewards-based, ensuring fairness and open participation. This innovative model democratizes mapping while sharing economic benefits with contributors.
TARS AI – $TAI
TARS is an AI-powered ecosystem on Solana, supported by the Solana Foundation, designed to integrate AI with Web3 seamlessly. It offers tools like the AI Console, an AI Aggregator, and TARS Search Engine for app development, machine learning, and research. With affordable consumer AI and incubated tokens airdropped to TAI holders, TARS lowers barriers to entry in blockchain and AI. By addressing challenges like fragmented tools and complexity, TARS democratizes AI-driven solutions for over 1 million Solana users.
Nosana – $NOS
Nosana is a DEPIN project offering a distributed GPU grid to rent compute power without high fees or lock-ins. It addresses the GPU shortage by utilizing underused hardware like gaming PCs, miners, and MacBooks. Nosana provides competitive pricing for building and running AI solutions, making it accessible and cost-effective. Ideal for businesses, it ensures reliable computing without traditional overheads. This innovative model maximizes efficiency while democratizing access to GPU resources.
Highstreet – $HIGH
Highstreet is a decentralized Metaverse and MMORPG enabling brands to establish a presence in virtual worlds. It offers a “metaverse as a service” platform for seamless integration, supporting both traditional and crypto brands. Highstreet Marketplace allows brands like Balenciaga and LVMH to create virtual storefronts on Web3 and within the Metaverse. As NFTs gain popularity, brands like Adidas and Harvey Nichols are leveraging the on-chain industry. Highstreet World is an open-world MMORPG where most in-game items are real-world brand products.
The platform aims to redefine retail by merging commerce with entertainment. Highstreet is shaping the next evolution of commerce, offering businesses a unique way to connect with tech-savvy audiences and tap into new markets.
Parcl – $PRCL
Parcl is a decentralized perpetuals exchange for real estate synthetics. It enables users to trade and hedge real estate index markets based on global price data. Liquidity providers contribute to a single LP pool, earning fees and absorbing trader PnL. The platform features scalable liquidity provision, flexible governance, and risk management inspired by Synthetix perps. Parcl leverages City Indexes to aggregate real estate values, creating a liquid market for the world’s largest asset class.
Crown by Third Time Games – $CROWN
CROWN is the utility token powering Photo Finish™ LIVE, a blockchain-based digital horse racing ecosystem and the official game of the Kentucky Derby. Built on Solana, CROWN enables users to own and operate virtual race tracks, stake tokens, earn rewards, and access exclusive in-game benefits.
The token also serves as a decentralized mechanism for track ownership and rewards, enhancing the gaming experience. With unique integration into the world of digital horse racing, CROWN is rapidly gaining traction as a standout Solana project.
Bottom Line
Solana’s ecosystem is expanding beyond DeFi and NFTs into emerging sectors like AI, DePIN, and gaming. With $9B+ TVL and sub-second transaction speeds, the network continues attracting innovative projects. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, Solana’s technical capabilities and growing ecosystem position it well for continued growth in 2025.
FAQs
1. Why is Solana a preferred blockchain for developers?
Solana’s high-speed transactions (up to 65,000 TPS), low fees ($0.0025 per transaction), and developer-friendly tools make it an ideal platform for dApps. Its scalability and real-time processing capabilities also attract projects in DeFi, gaming, and AI sectors.
2. What projects are running on Solana?
Several projects are thriving on Solana, including Raydium (DeFi), Helium (DePIN), Magic Eden (NFT marketplace), Pyth Network (Oracle), Jupiter (DEX aggregator), and Jito (Liquid Staking), among others. These projects leverage Solana’s speed, low fees, and scalability to deliver innovative solutions across DeFi, NFTs, gaming, AI, and more.
3. What Does Solana Crypto Do?
Solana (SOL) is the native token of the Solana network, used to pay for executing programs, validating transactions, and covering transaction fees. It also enables micropayments (lamports) and can be staked for passive income. Many users hold SOL as a speculative investment in the Solana ecosystem.
4. Can I use my MetaMask wallet to buy and sell crypto on the Solana network?
MetaMask doesn’t natively support the Solana network. However, using the MetaMask Snap, you can integrate it with the Solflare wallet, which extends MetaMask’s capabilities. Once connected, this integration allows you to use your MetaMask wallet with Solana dApps and trade crypto within the Solana ecosystem.
