Solana Active Addresses Hit 27.1 Million, Surpassing 56% Week-Over-Week Growth

Solana’s active address count has reached 27.1 million as of January 18, 2026, marking a 56% increase week-over-week. The surge reflects renewed on-chain activity and investor interest in the network, which is showing signs of sustained growth. Recent network metrics, including a 25% price recovery from December lows, suggest Solana is entering a new bull phase.

The number of active addresses is a key indicator of network health, and the rise to 27.1 million represents the highest level in six months. This growth is supported by an expanding user base and increased transaction volume, with Solana processing over 97.2 million transactions in the past week.

The surge in activity is also evident in institutional and retail inflows. Solana’s spot ETFs have recorded cumulative inflows exceeding $833 million, with net assets reaching $1.18 billion. This trend highlights growing institutional adoption and a shift toward tokenized assets and DeFi on the Solana chain according to analysis.

Why Did This Happen?

The surge in active addresses coincides with a broader market recovery. Solana’s price has risen to $145, up 25% from its December low. Technical indicators suggest that the token is in a strong uptrend, with momentum indicators showing neutral to bullish signals.

Several factors are contributing to the growth in on-chain activity. First, the launch of the Alpenglow upgrade is expected to introduce faster speeds and architectural improvements, making the network more attractive for developers and users according to reports. Second, Solana has become a hub for DeFi and real-world asset tokenization, where it ranks second only to Ethereum in terms of ecosystem value as data shows.

Network activity is also being driven by the rise of meme coins. Solana-based meme tokens have gained traction, with market capitalization approaching $6.7 billion in early 2026. Platforms like Pump.fun are facilitating high-volume DEX trading, with daily volume hitting $2 billion. This trend is reinforcing Solana’s position as a key platform for speculative activity.

How Did Markets Respond?

Market participants have responded positively to the rising network activity. Solana’s price is trading within an ascending channel, with key resistance levels around $150–$152. A breakout above this level could signal the start of a more aggressive rally.

On-chain data has also caught the attention of analysts and traders. The rise in active addresses from 3.4 million to over 5 million is seen as a positive sign that retail and institutional participants are returning to the network according to analysis. This shift could trigger further price appreciation if the trend continues.

Institutional interest is also growing. The launch of SEC-registered tokenized shares by Forward Industries has expanded Solana’s use cases beyond DeFi. These shares are being integrated into decentralized finance applications, adding new utility for the network. This development underscores the increasing overlap between traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring the upcoming Alpenglow upgrade. Scheduled for this quarter, the upgrade is expected to enhance transaction speeds and introduce architectural changes that will improve scalability. These improvements could attract more developers and users as market analysis indicates.

In addition to the technical upgrade, market participants are watching ETF volumes and trading patterns. The $6 billion in cumulative ETF volumes suggest steady institutional participation, which is a sign of sustained demand rather than speculative spikes. A continuation of this trend could support a breakout above $150.

The meme coin sector is also drawing attention. While speculative, the revival of Solana-based meme tokens has contributed to increased trading volume and on-chain activity. Established tokens like BONK and PENGU have seen double-digit gains, reinforcing the idea that Solana is a preferred platform for this type of activity.

Looking ahead, Solana’s position as a leading Layer-1 network is being reinforced by new developments in privacy tooling and enterprise use cases. The launch of Inco Lightning on Devnet has opened new possibilities for confidential transactions and secure on-chain logic without sacrificing speed or cost efficiency according to reports.

As the network continues to evolve, the focus is shifting toward real-world applications. PayFi platforms like Remittix are being highlighted as the next frontier for crypto growth, particularly in areas like remittances and instant crypto-to-fiat settlement as analysts note. These developments could broaden the appeal of Solana beyond DeFi and trading.

Overall, the combination of strong technical fundamentals, growing institutional adoption, and expanding use cases is creating a favorable environment for Solana. With active addresses continuing to rise and ETF inflows increasing, the network is well-positioned to sustain its momentum in the near term.