Solana News Today: Solana's Quiet Build-Up: Will Institutional Momentum Spark a Bull Run?

The Solana (SOL) cryptocurrency continues to face downward pressure amid broader market conditions, despite recent upgrades and growing institutional interest in its ecosystem. The approval of the Alpenglow upgrade, which received overwhelming support from the Solana community with 98.27% of stakers voting in favor, marks a pivotal step toward enhancing the blockchain's technical capabilities. This upgrade introduces two new components—Votor and Rotor—aimed at improving transaction finality and reducing data transfer between validators, potentially unlocking greater scalability and efficiency for the network [1].

Despite these technical advancements, Solana's price has not seen a corresponding rebound. Market dynamics, including macroeconomic factors and broader crypto market volatility, continue to weigh on the asset. In contrast to Ethereum (ETH), which has experienced a strong rally driven by institutional adoption and the launch of multiple Ethereum ETFs, Solana has remained relatively subdued. Analysts suggest that the market may be waiting for a similar institutional infrastructure boost for Solana before a significant price move becomes evident [4].

Recent developments, however, point to growing optimism for Solana’s future. The launch of the REX-Osprey SOL and Staking ETF on July 2, 2025, has set the stage for potential regulatory approvals of additional spot Solana ETFs. Several major asset managers, including VanEck, Bitwise, and Franklin Templeton, have submitted applications to the SEC, with analysts estimating a high probability of approval by October 2025 [4]. If approved, these ETFs could drive increased institutional demand for SOL, mirroring the trajectory that Ethereum followed earlier in the year.

Moreover, the emergence of Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) for Solana is expected to further catalyze demand. Three prominent DATs—Sharps Technology, Pantera Capital, and a joint venture involving Galaxy, Multicoin, and Jump Crypto—are raising over $2.65 billion to acquire SOL, with proceeds to be used to build Solana-based treasuries. This inflow of capital could provide a substantial tailwind for the token's price, especially as the total market cap of SOL remains significantly lower than that of ETH [4].

Institutional interest in Solana is not limited to ETFs and DATs. Franklin Templeton, a global investment firm, has been vocal about the potential of a spot Solana ETF and has been actively involved in discussions with regulators. The company’s push for regulatory approval could serve as a catalyst for broader adoption and further price appreciation [2]. In addition, Pantera Capital has already acquired Solana tokens from the FTX bankruptcy estate, signaling a continued confidence in the asset despite its recent price challenges.

While the immediate price trajectory of Solana remains uncertain, the broader market narrative suggests that the asset is well-positioned for a potential breakout. The approval of the Alpenglow upgrade, combined with growing institutional interest and regulatory progress, could pave the way for a renewed bull run. However, investors are cautioned to remain cautious, as the market remains susceptible to macroeconomic shifts and regulatory developments that could influence Solana’s performance in the near term.

Source:

[1] title1 (https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/09/02/solana-set-for-major-overhaul-after-98-votes-to-approve-historic-alpenglow-upgrade)

[2] title2 (https://icobench.com/cryptocurrency/solana-price-prediction/)

[3] title3 (https://captainaltcoin.com/solana-vs-ethereum-why-sol-could-smash-eth-in-the-next-leg-of-the-bull-run/)

[4] title4 (https://www.ar.ca/blog/is-solana-the-next-ethereum)

[5] title5 (https://www.tokenmetrics.com/blog/solana-vs-ethereum?74e29fd5_page=2)