SBF: Institutional Interest in Solana Rising; SOL and ADA See Strong Net Inflows Over BTC and ETH

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In recent weeks, momentum in the cryptocurrency market has shifted noticeably toward high-performance blockchains, with Solana (SOL) emerging as a top contender among institutional investors. Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), founder of the now-defunct FTX exchange, recently highlighted this trend in an interview with Bloomberg, emphasizing Solana’s compelling long-term vision and growing appeal in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems.

According to SBF, institutional interest in Solana is on the rise—not just because of its technical advantages, but due to its strategic positioning as a foundational layer for future crypto-native industrial applications.

"Institutional interest is growing.
Solana is one of the few blockchains with a convincing long-term roadmap,
which means it could ultimately support industrial-scale use cases in crypto."

This sentiment aligns with broader market dynamics. As traditional financial players seek scalable, low-cost, and secure blockchain solutions, networks like Solana and Cardano (ADA) are increasingly capturing capital flows—sometimes even surpassing Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in weekly net inflows.


Why Institutions Are Turning to Solana

Solana stands out in the crowded blockchain landscape thanks to its exceptional throughput and minimal transaction costs. With a theoretical throughput of up to 65,000 transactions per second (TPS)—over 3,000 times faster than Ethereum’s current capacity—and average fees below $0.0001, Solana offers a scalable infrastructure ideal for enterprise-grade applications.

But speed and cost aren’t the only drivers. The ecosystem has matured rapidly, supported by key developments such as the launch of Pyth Network, a high-frequency oracle system that delivers real-time financial data to DeFi platforms. Notably, major traditional finance players like GTS—the largest market maker at the New York Stock Exchange—have joined Pyth, bridging institutional credibility with decentralized innovation.

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This convergence of performance, ecosystem growth, and institutional validation makes Solana a standout candidate for long-term adoption beyond speculative trading.


SOL and ADA Outpace BTC and ETH in Weekly Fund Inflows

Data from CoinShares' August 2025 report reveals a significant shift in capital allocation. During the week of August 15–22, digital asset investment products saw over $21 million in net inflows. Of that:

This marks a pivotal moment: assets once seen as secondary are now drawing more institutional capital than the market leaders. While BTC remains the dominant store of value and ETH the leader in smart contracts, their relative slowdown in inflows suggests a diversification trend among professional investors.

The takeaway? The next phase of crypto adoption may not be driven solely by legacy giants—but by high-efficiency blockchains built for mass utility.


SBF’s Ecosystem Rides the Solana Wave

SBF has been a consistent backer of Solana. In June 2025, his quantitative trading firm Alameda Research participated in Solana Labs’ $314 million funding round—a clear vote of confidence in the network’s long-term viability.

That bet appears to be paying off. Since late August, SOL surged from around $43.42 to a peak above $200, marking a staggering +413% gain in under a month. Though it has since pulled back to approximately $179.39 at the time of writing, the momentum remains strong.

This rally didn’t just lift Solana—it boosted the entire “SBF ecosystem” of projects built on or integrated with Solana:

These gains underscore how ecosystem synergies can amplify returns across interconnected protocols when anchored to a high-performing base layer.

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The Role of NFTs and DeFi in Fueling Demand

While infrastructure is critical, user demand ultimately drives adoption. Two sectors have played a central role in Solana’s ascent: NFTs and DeFi.

Despite earlier concerns about spam and low-quality NFT mints—so much so that FTX moved its NFT marketplace from free to paid listings—the underlying demand for digital ownership remains robust. Solana’s low-cost environment enables creators to mint and trade NFTs affordably, fostering grassroots innovation.

Meanwhile, DeFi activity on Solana has grown steadily. With protocols like Raydium, Orca, and Marinade Finance offering yield opportunities, staking solutions, and liquid staking derivatives, investors are finding compelling reasons to allocate capital beyond Ethereum.

As SBF noted, it’s this combination—strong fundamentals, growing use cases, and institutional curiosity—that creates sustainable momentum.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why are institutions interested in Solana?

Institutions are drawn to Solana due to its high throughput, low transaction costs, and growing ecosystem of DeFi and NFT applications. Its ability to scale efficiently while maintaining security makes it suitable for enterprise-level deployment.

How does Solana compare to Ethereum?

Solana processes transactions significantly faster than Ethereum—up to 65,000 TPS versus ~15–30 TPS—and at a fraction of the cost. While Ethereum leads in total value locked (TVL) and developer activity, Solana offers superior performance for high-frequency applications.

Did ADA really outperform BTC and ETH in fund inflows?

Yes. According to CoinShares’ August 2025 report, both Solana and Cardano saw stronger net inflows during the week of August 15–22 compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, signaling growing institutional diversification into alternative smart contract platforms.

Is SBF still influential in crypto despite FTX's collapse?

While SBF’s legal situation remains unresolved, his early advocacy for Solana and other high-performance blockchains continues to influence market narratives. His past investments and public statements still carry weight among certain investor circles.

What is Pyth Network’s role in Solana’s growth?

Pyth Network is a decentralized oracle that delivers real-time financial market data to blockchain applications. Its integration with Solana enables DeFi platforms to access accurate pricing information—critical for lending, derivatives, and trading protocols—and attracts traditional finance participants like GTS.

Could SOL surpass ETH in market cap?

While highly speculative, continued institutional inflows, ecosystem expansion, and technological upgrades could position Solana as a top-three blockchain by market capitalization. However, Ethereum’s first-mover advantage and upcoming scalability improvements via rollups remain strong competitive factors.


Core Keywords


The surge in interest around Solana reflects a broader evolution in the crypto market: from speculative speculation to infrastructure-driven value creation. As institutions seek efficient, scalable platforms for real-world applications, networks like Solana and Cardano are proving they’re more than just alternatives—they’re potential successors to the first generation of blockchains.

With strong technical foundations, vibrant ecosystems, and increasing capital inflows, the stage is set for a new era of decentralized innovation.

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