Solana (SOL) has reached a new all-time high of $264.31, a milestone achieved on November 22 after a prolonged recovery from its lows following the FTX collapse in late 2022. This remarkable feat comes on the back of an 11% surge within a single day, cementing SOL as one of the year’s standout altcoins with a year-to-date gain of 160%.

Solana Shatters Records Amid ETF Filings

The catalyst for this surge appears to be a series of filings from prominent asset managers, including Bitwise, VanEck, 21Shares, and Canary Capital, to launch spot Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The anticipation surrounding these ETFs has boosted investor confidence, leading analysts to project a potential climb to $400 for SOL in the near future.

Beyond institutional interest, Solana’s popularity continues to grow due to its suitability for minting low-cost memecoins, an area of speculative trading that has gained traction this cycle.

Moreover, Solana’s decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem has experienced exponential growth, with total value locked (TVL) increasing by more than 500% in 2024 to reach $8.8 billion, according to data from DeFiLlama.

Broader Market Momentum

The broader crypto market has also benefited from a wave of optimism fueled by political and regulatory developments. The announcement of Gary Gensler’s impending resignation as SEC Chair in January has eased fears of harsh enforcement actions. Gensler had previously classified most crypto assets, apart from Bitcoin, as securities, a stance that many believed hindered industry growth.

Adding to this bullish sentiment is the anticipation of a more crypto-friendly environment under Donald Trump’s administration, which has sparked a rally across altcoins. On the same day Solana hit its peak, total cryptocurrency market capitalization reached a record $3.42 trillion.

Other altcoins are also thriving in this favorable climate. XRP experienced a 27% surge, hitting $1.40, while Cardano (ADA) and Avalanche (AVAX) posted double-digit gains, reflecting the strong momentum across the sector.

As Solana breaks through its previous all-time high of $260, market participants are closely watching its next moves. With ETF approvals potentially on the horizon and a thriving DeFi ecosystem, Solana appears poised to sustain its upward trajectory.

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