In the ever-evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, few narratives have captured attention like that of the "Ethereum killer." Among these contenders, Solana (SOL) has emerged as a standout performer—rising from around $9 in 2022 to an impressive $208 by early 2024, marking a near 24-fold increase. But what fueled this explosive growth? And how do other so-called Ethereum rivals stack up today?
This comprehensive analysis explores the rise of Solana, evaluates the current state of competing Layer 1 blockchains, and identifies the key factors that separate sustainable ecosystems from fading hype.
The Rise of Ethereum: Foundation of a New Era
To understand why challengers like Solana exist, we must first examine the platform they aim to surpass—Ethereum (ETH).
Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum introduced a revolutionary concept: a decentralized platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily functions as digital gold, Ethereum became the foundation for programmable money and on-chain innovation.
The network’s adoption surged during the 2017 ICO boom, thanks to three core advantages:
1. Smart Contracts & ERC-20 Standard
Ethereum’s support for smart contracts enabled developers to create self-executing agreements without intermediaries. The introduction of the ERC-20 token standard simplified the process of launching new tokens, allowing startups to raise funds via ICOs with minimal technical overhead.
This standardization was pivotal—it turned Ethereum into a launchpad for thousands of projects, driving demand for ETH as both gas and investment.
2. Strong Ecosystem & Developer Community
Ethereum built early momentum with tools like Solidity (its programming language) and MetaMask (a user-friendly wallet). Its vibrant developer community provided peer support, open-source libraries, and continuous innovation—creating a powerful network effect.
3. Market Recognition & Liquidity
As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, ETH gained institutional and retail trust. High liquidity made it easier for investors to enter and exit positions, further reinforcing its dominance.
By 2017, ETH peaked near $1,400, setting the stage for future cycles of growth—and competition.
Why Did Ethereum Need "Killers"?
Despite its success, Ethereum has long faced criticism over several limitations—especially under heavy usage:
Scalability Challenges
As more users joined the network, congestion became common. With an average block time of ~15 seconds and throughput of only 25 transactions per second (TPS), Ethereum struggled during high-demand events like NFT mints or DeFi surges.
High Gas Fees
During peak times, transaction fees (gas) could soar into the hundreds of dollars. This made small transactions economically unviable and limited real-world usability.
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Security Incidents
While rare, major exploits—like the 2016 DAO hack that led to a $60 million theft and a contentious hard fork—highlighted vulnerabilities in smart contract logic and governance.
These pain points created fertile ground for new blockchains promising faster speeds, lower costs, and better scalability—enter the "Ethereum killers."
The Top Contenders: Who Were the 2021 Favorites?
Back in late 2021, media outlets widely touted several blockchains as potential successors to Ethereum. According to Forkast, the top five included:
- Cardano (ADA)
- Avalanche (AVAX)
- BNB Chain (BNB)
- Solana (SOL)
- Polkadot (DOT)
While all promised improvements over Ethereum, their performance since then has been mixed.
| Blockchain | Price Change (Late 2021 – Early 2024) | Market Cap Trend |
|---|---|---|
| BNB | Slight decrease | Stable |
| SOL | Slight increase | +31.85% ↑ |
| ADA | Down >50% | Declined |
| AVAX | Down >50% | Declined |
| DOT | Down >71% | Declined |
Among them, Solana is the only one to see its market cap grow, briefly surpassing BNB to become the fourth-largest blockchain by value.
But why did Solana outperform its peers?
Solana’s Secret Sauce: Speed, Scale, and Ecosystem Growth
Solana wasn’t just another fast chain—it combined technical innovation with aggressive ecosystem development.
Founding Vision & Backing
Founded by former Qualcomm engineer Anatoly Yakovenko, Solana was designed from the start for speed. Backed by top-tier investors like Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Multicoin Capital, it raised over $320 million across multiple rounds.
Technical Edge: PoH + PoS
Solana uses a unique hybrid consensus combining Proof of Stake (PoS) with Proof of History (PoH)—a cryptographic clock that sequences transactions before they’re processed. This allows:
- ~3,170 TPS (vs Ethereum’s ~25)
- 4-second block times
- Average transaction cost: $0.00064
This combination enables near-instant, low-cost transactions—ideal for DeFi, gaming, and NFTs.
Real-World Adoption Drivers
Solana didn’t just focus on specs—it built utility:
- Solana Pay: Integrated with Visa and Shopify for real-time crypto payments.
- State Compression: Reduced NFT minting costs to $0.00011, enabling mass issuance.
- DeFi Boom: Over $11 billion in total value locked (TVL), with platforms like Raydium and Orca.
- DePIN Leadership: Hosted fast-growing decentralized physical infrastructure networks like Helium Mobile.
Massive Developer Engagement
The Solana ecosystem now boasts:
- Over 20 million active addresses
- More than 200 million NFTs minted
- Over 48,000 developers participating in hackathons
- Projects like Phantom wallet and Magic Eden leading user adoption
Even after setbacks—including FTX’s collapse and multiple network outages—Solana’s team doubled down on innovation, launching products like the Saga smartphone and expanding cross-chain bridges.
FAQ: Understanding Solana and Its Competitors
Q: Is Solana really faster than Ethereum?
A: Yes. Solana processes around 3,170 transactions per second with sub-second finality, compared to Ethereum’s ~25 TPS and higher latency. Post-upgrades like Dencun, Ethereum is improving via Layer 2s—but Solana remains faster at base layer.
Q: Why did other "Ethereum killers" underperform?
A: Many suffered from slow development (Cardano), security breaches (BNB Chain), or poor community engagement (Polkadot). Without strong product-market fit or active user growth, their ecosystems stagnated.
Q: Can Solana replace Ethereum?
A: Not entirely—but it can capture specific use cases where speed and cost matter most, such as micropayments, gaming, and meme coins. Ethereum still leads in security, decentralization, and institutional adoption.
Q: Was Solana affected by FTX’s collapse?
A: Yes. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was an early backer, and Alameda Research held large amounts of SOL. After FTX fell, SOL dropped below $10. However, the core team remained intact, and development continued uninterrupted.
Q: What makes a blockchain successful long-term?
A: Three pillars: developer activity, real-world use cases, and resilience during bear markets. Solana excelled in all three—hosting vibrant DeFi and NFT scenes while maintaining strong dev retention even in downturns.
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How Other "Ethereum Killers" Are Faring Today
BNB Chain (BNB)
Pros:
- Backed by Binance’s massive user base
- Low fees and EVM compatibility attract DeFi projects
- Quarterly token burns reduce supply
Cons:
- Suffered a $566 million exploit in 2022
- Regulatory scrutiny increased after CZ stepped down
- Faces growing competition from OKX and others in Web3 wallet space
Cardano (ADA)
Pros:
- Scientific approach with peer-reviewed research
- Strong early funding and loyal community
- Unique Ouroboros PoS protocol
Cons:
- Slow development pace
- No breakout DApp yet
- High barrier to entry due to Haskell-based Plutus language
Avalanche (AVAX)
Pros:
- Sub-second finality and high throughput
- Customizable subnets ideal for enterprise use
- Active partnerships with institutions like JP Morgan
Cons:
- Low circulating supply (~48%) causes volatility
- Tokenomics don’t tightly link AVAX to subnet usage
Polkadot (DOT)
Pros:
- Innovative multi-chain architecture with parachains
- Second-highest number of full-time developers after Ethereum
- Strong focus on interoperability
Cons:
- Complex for average users
- Governance participation remains low
- Limited real-world adoption despite technical promise
Key Takeaways: What Separates Winners from Also-Rans?
After analyzing these ecosystems, clear patterns emerge:
- Technology Alone Isn’t Enough
Even highly engineered chains like Cardano and Polkadot failed to gain traction without compelling applications. - Developer Momentum Is Crucial
Solana’s consistent hackathons, grants, and tooling attracted builders who created real value. - Bear Markets Reveal True Strength
While many projects cut budgets or went silent during downturns, Solana kept innovating—launching new features and partnerships when others retreated. - Marketing + Utility = Growth
Solana didn’t just build—it marketed aggressively through meme coins, celebrity endorsements (e.g., Steph Curry), and mainstream integrations like Visa payments.
Final Thoughts: Beyond the "Killer" Narrative
The term “Ethereum killer” may be catchy—but it's misleading. Most successful blockchains aren’t trying to destroy Ethereum; they’re carving out their own niches.
Solana isn’t “Ethereum 2.0.” It’s something different: optimized for speed, accessibility, and consumer-grade experiences. Meanwhile, Ethereum evolves toward greater scalability via Layer 2 rollups and continues to lead in security and decentralization.
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Rather than focusing on rivalry, the future lies in coexistence and specialization—where each chain serves distinct markets based on its strengths.
And if there’s one lesson from Solana’s resurgence, it’s this: In crypto, survival isn’t about being first—it’s about being relentless.
Even when written off after FTX’s fall, Solana proved that with strong fundamentals, active developers, and real-world utility, a blockchain can not only survive but thrive.
The race isn’t over. But right now, Solana is leading—not because it killed Ethereum, but because it built something uniquely valuable on its own terms.