Solana's Upcoming Price Breakout Potential: Institutional Onboarding and Network Activity as Catalysts for Near-Term Price Momentum

Institutional Onboarding: A New Era of Capital Inflows and Strategic Partnerships

In Q3 2025, Solana solidified its position as a top-tier blockchain through a surge in institutional adoption. According to a Bitget report, over $1.72 billion in institutional capital flowed into Solana treasuries, with 13 publicly traded firms collectively holding 1.44% of the total supply. This influx was driven by attractive staking yields of 7–8%, which outperformed traditional fixed-income assets in a low-interest-rate environment. The Bitget report also highlighted key partnerships with global entities like Stripe, SpaceX, and BlackRock that further validated Solana's utility beyond speculative trading, signaling its integration into mainstream financial and technological infrastructure.

The approval of the REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF (SSK) marked a watershed moment, normalizing Solana's inclusion in corporate balance sheets under FASB/SEC guidance, according to the Bitget analysis. This development not only broadened liquidity but also reduced regulatory uncertainty, attracting risk-averse institutional players. Technical upgrades, including the Alpenglow enhancements, simultaneously bolstered Solana's scalability, pushing transaction throughput to 65,000+ TPS and reducing finality to sub-150ms. These improvements addressed critical bottlenecks, making Solana a viable alternative to Ethereum and other Layer-1s for high-frequency applications.

Network Activity: Liquidity, Stablecoins, and DEX Volume as Price Drivers

Solana's on-chain metrics in Q3 2025 revealed a maturing ecosystem poised to drive price momentum. Total Value Locked (TVL) in Solana protocols surged by 30%, reaching $30.5 billion, with $1.1 billion in inflows recorded in September alone. This liquidity influx reflects growing confidence in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, as investors allocate capital to yield-generating opportunities.

Stablecoin supply on Solana also rebounded sharply, rising to $14.8 billion in Q3 2025-a 156% increase year-to-date, according to a Gov.Capital analysis. Historical patterns suggest a strong correlation between stablecoin growth and price rallies; for instance, a similar surge in 2023–2024 preceded a 230% increase in SOL's price. The current trajectory mirrors this dynamic, with stablecoin inflows acting as a proxy for demand in on-chain trading and cross-chain transfers.

Decentralized exchange (DEX) activity further underscored Solana's dominance. The network recorded $326 billion in DEX volume in Q3 2025, a 21% quarter-over-quarter increase, with perpetual derivatives accounting for $43.61 billion in the last 30 days, according to a BeInCrypto report. This growth outpaced competitors like BNB Chain and Near, despite temporary dips in monthly active addresses. High DEX volumes indicate robust demand for on-chain infrastructure, particularly in derivatives and spot trading, which are critical for price discovery and liquidity provision.

Holder Sentiment: A Mixed Outlook Amid Structural Strength

While institutional and on-chain metrics paint a bullish picture, holder sentiment remains divided. Short-term holders (STHs) have grown more confident, with 14.4% of the supply controlled by one- to three-month holders-the highest in five months. This suggests increased retail and speculative participation, which can amplify price volatility. Conversely, long-term holders (LTHs) have shown bearish tendencies, with the Liveliness metric indicating coins are leaving dormant wallets. This could signal profit-taking or risk aversion among early adopters.

However, Solana's price remains above critical support levels, and its structural advantages-low fees, high throughput, and institutional-grade infrastructure-position it to weather short-term selloffs. The interplay between STH optimism and LTH caution creates a tug-of-war dynamic, but the overall trend favors continued accumulation by both retail and institutional players.

Conclusion: A Confluence of Catalysts for a Price Breakout

Solana's near-term price trajectory is being propelled by a unique confluence of institutional onboarding and network activity. The $1.72 billion in institutional capital, coupled with strategic partnerships and regulatory clarity, has laid the groundwork for sustained adoption. Meanwhile, TVL growth, stablecoin inflows, and record DEX volumes demonstrate a thriving ecosystem capable of supporting higher demand for SOL.

While mixed holder sentiment introduces short-term uncertainty, the broader narrative of Solana's transition from a speculative asset to a foundational blockchain infrastructure remains intact. As institutional capital continues to flow in and on-chain activity accelerates, the conditions for a price breakout-potentially surpassing the September high of $253-appear increasingly favorable. Investors should closely monitor stablecoin supply trends and DEX volume as leading indicators of the next phase in Solana's bull run.