Solana’s $SOL ecosystem is buzzing with hot takes! đŸ”„ In a recent survey by Blockworks Research, 42 Solana founders shared their thoughts on memecoins, AI agents, and the growing issue of Maximum Extractable Value (MEV). Here’s the scoop: while memecoins are “mostly good,” AI is “overhyped,” and MEV has many founders losing sleep. 😮 Let’s unpack the drama.

Memecoins: The Good, the Wild, and the Profitable 🐕💾

Surprisingly, 76% of Solana founders gave memecoins a thumbs-up, calling them “mostly good” for the ecosystem. Why? They bring in retail investors, foster community engagement, and boost transaction volumes.

🔑 Key Stat:

The total market cap of memecoins skyrocketed from $20 billion in early 2024 to a staggering $120 billion by December, according to CoinGecko.

đŸ’„ Solana’s Role:

‱ Pump.fun, Solana’s memecoin platform, processed over $8.5 billion in transactions since its January launch, briefly surpassing $ETH in 24-hour volume.

‱ Memecoins like Fartcoin ($FART) and $ai16Z (AI16Z) have captured market attention, with dozens of projects exceeding $100 million in market cap.

Memecoins might be fun, but they’re also proving to be a serious force in driving Solana’s growth.

AI Tokens: Overhyped or the Future? đŸ€–â“

While memecoins are thriving, AI tokens are dividing the Solana community. 16% of founders labeled AI as the “most overrated sector”, raising concerns about scams and unmet promises.

🔼 AI’s Rise:

‱ AI-agent-driven tokens grew to a collective market cap of $16 billion in 2024.

‱ Projects like Zerebro ($ZEREBRO) made waves, but skepticism is growing: “Most AI tokens are either scams or fail to deliver,” said Condz, founder of Acolyte AI.

💡 Pro Tip: Be cautious with AI tokens. While some will thrive, others could pop like a bubble.

MEV: Solana’s Growing Headache đŸ€Ż

The survey revealed that more than 20% of founders consider MEV (Maximum Extractable Value) the biggest problem facing Solana.

What’s MEV?

MEV happens when validators prioritize transactions during block formation for extra fees. While it ensures execution, it also:

1. Drives up transaction costs for users.

2. Creates inefficiencies in the network.

🔌 The Numbers:

‱ Solana validators earned more MEV than Ethereum validators for the first time in 2024.

‱ This coincided with transaction fees tripling, according to Dune Analytics.

While MEV has been lucrative for validators, it’s raising concerns about Solana’s affordability and accessibility for users.


If Not Solana, Then Where? 🌍

When asked where they’d build if Solana wasn’t an option, founders overwhelmingly chose:

1. Base (Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer-2)

2. Sui (Solana’s rival Layer-1)

These networks are gaining traction, but Solana’s high throughput and memecoin-driven popularity keep it ahead—despite MEV concerns.

The Bigger Picture for Solana 🌟

In 2024, Solana outperformed Ethereum 8x in price gains, while its Total Value Locked (TVL) jumped from $1.5 billion to $8.5 billion. Retail investors flocked to Solana, thanks to memecoins and growing speculation around AI tokens.

The challenge for 2025? Tackling MEV and keeping transaction costs low while riding the wave of memecoin mania and cautious AI adoption.

Your Takeaway Tip: Ride the Trends, Stay Smart 🧠✹

Solana’s explosive growth shows the power of retail-driven narratives like memecoins, but be mindful of rising fees and overhyped sectors.

💡 Pro Tip: Diversify! Whether you’re chasing memecoin gains or experimenting with AI tokens, remember to stay grounded and watch for signs of unsustainable growth.

What’s next for Solana? Can it sustain this momentum in 2025? Drop your thoughts below! 👇