Solana has consistently captured attention in the blockchain space for its speed, community strength, and growing ecosystem. In a recent discussion, Ansem—a well-known crypto trader and commentator—shared his perspectives on what makes Solana unique and how it has managed to thrive even during challenging market conditions.
Who Is Ansem?
Ansem, also known as Zion Thomas, is a software engineer turned full-time crypto trader and content creator. He began his journey in crypto during the 2017 bull market and has since built a significant following for his market insights and analysis. He is also a co-founder of Bullpen, a social trading platform designed to help newcomers navigate the crypto space.
The Rise of Solana
Community and Development Speed
Ansem highlights Solana’s rapid development pace and strong community support as two of its biggest advantages. Unlike many other blockchains, Solana’s team and community have remained resilient through market downturns and technical challenges. During the 2022–2023 bear market, for example, Solana’s network faced performance issues, but the development team quickly implemented fixes, restoring confidence and functionality.
Another key factor is Solana’s focus on building an integrated Layer 1 (L1) blockchain. While Ethereum relies heavily on Layer 2 (L2) solutions for scaling, Solana aims to handle execution, consensus, and settlement directly on the main chain. This approach reduces complexity for developers and users alike.
The Impact of FTX’s Collapse
The collapse of FTX in 2022 significantly affected Solana, given the exchange’s substantial holdings of SOL tokens. However, Ansem notes that the event did little to shake the confidence of core developers and community members. Instead, it served as a stress test that ultimately demonstrated Solana’s resilience.
What Makes Solana Unique?
Only Possible on Solana (OPOS)
Ansem emphasizes the concept of “Only Possible on Solana” (OPOS), a slogan adopted by Solana’s marketing team in 2023. It refers to applications and use cases that require high throughput and low transaction costs—conditions that are difficult to achieve on other blockchains like Ethereum.
For instance, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), NFT marketplaces, and high-frequency trading applications benefit enormously from Solana’s architecture. Users can execute numerous small transactions affordably, even during periods of high network activity.
User Experience and Meme Culture
Solana’s low fees and fast finality have made it a hub for retail activity, particularly in the meme coin sector. Ansem believes meme coins act as an entry point for new users, similar to how NFTs did in the previous cycle. Once users are onboarded, they often explore other aspects of the ecosystem, such as DeFi and gaming.
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Future Trends in Crypto
AI and Blockchain Integration
Ansem is optimistic about the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. He points to decentralized computing networks and AI agents as particularly promising areas. These agents could autonomously execute trades, manage portfolios, and optimize yield farming strategies, making crypto more accessible to non-experts.
However, he acknowledges that it’s still early for AI-crypto projects. While there’s considerable investment and interest, the “killer app” has yet to emerge.
The Role of Layer 2 Solutions
Ansem is skeptical about the long-term viability of many Ethereum L2s. He believes that while rollups improve scalability, those based on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) don’t address fundamental limitations. Instead, he expects to see more innovation around alternative virtual machines, such as Arbitrum’s Stylus or Movement’s Move VM.
He also predicts consolidation in the L2 space, with only a handful of solutions achieving lasting success.
Investment Strategies and Advice
Portfolio Allocation
Ansem recommends a balanced approach to crypto investing:
- Allocate 70% of a portfolio to established assets like Bitcoin, Solana, and blue-chip stocks with crypto exposure (e.g., Coinbase).
- Use the remaining 30% for higher-risk opportunities, including meme coins, low-cap altcoins, and leveraged positions.
He advises taking profits from risky investments and reinvesting them into safer assets to compound gains over time.
Learning and Development
For those new to crypto, Ansem stresses the importance of education and practice. He suggests:
- Studying past market cycles and technical analysis.
- Engaging with experienced traders and developers.
- Experimenting with small trades to gain hands-on experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Solana’s main advantage over Ethereum?
Solana offers higher throughput and lower transaction costs than Ethereum, making it better suited for high-frequency applications like decentralized trading and NFT minting. However, Ethereum has a larger ecosystem and more established infrastructure.
How did Solana recover from the FTX collapse?
Despite a significant price drop after FTX’s bankruptcy, Solana’s development community continued building. Network upgrades and growing developer activity helped restore confidence, leading to a strong price recovery in 2023–2024.
What is “Only Possible on Solana” (OPOS)?
OPOS refers to applications that require high scalability and low fees, which are currently feasible only on Solana. Examples include real-time gaming, high-frequency trading, and micro-transactions.
Is Solana suitable for beginners?
Yes, Solana’s user-friendly wallets, low costs, and vibrant community make it a great starting point for newcomers. However, users should still exercise caution and conduct thorough research before investing.
What role do meme coins play on Solana?
Meme coins help onboard new users by offering an easy and engaging entry into crypto. They also drive transaction volume and liquidity within the Solana ecosystem.
How can I start trading on Solana?
You can begin by setting up a Solana-compatible wallet (e.g., Phantom), purchasing SOL from a reputable exchange, and exploring decentralized applications like Jupiter for swapping tokens.
Conclusion
Solana’s blend of technical innovation, community engagement, and resilience has positioned it as a major player in the crypto market. As Ansem highlights, its ability to support high-throughput applications and maintain low costs gives it a unique edge. For traders and developers alike, Solana represents a dynamic and evolving ecosystem with significant potential.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced participant, staying informed and engaged with platforms like Solana can offer valuable opportunities in the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency.