Solana Under Pressure
Solana (SOL) is facing intense market scrutiny as the fading memecoin hype, declining user engagement, and continuous token unlocks by Alameda Research put pressure on one of crypto’s strongest 2025 performers. According to NewsBTC, SOL is trading around $152–$156, having broken below key support at $156 amid rising volume. Analysts view $140 as the crucial support area, and if it fails, liquidity extends toward $120, opening the door for a deeper correction.
Memecoin Cooldown and User Activity
Solana’s explosive rise in late 2024 and early 2025 was largely fueled by rapid memecoin launches and hyperactive retail speculation. However, this frenzy has sharply cooled, with user activity reaching a one-year low. As Coinedition reports, Solana’s on-chain fundamentals show resilience, with DeFi TVL steady and developer activity remaining high.
Technical Analysis and Market Forces
Solana is caught in a technical tug-of-war, with its price pinned near $155 as two powerful and opposing market forces collide. On one hand, institutional demand looks strong, with US spot Solana ETFs registering over $350 million in net inflows across 11 straight days. On the other hand, Alameda’s systematic token releases create predictable selling pressure. As CoinDesk notes, the bankruptcy estate maintains approximately 5 million tokens in locked or staked positions, with smaller monthly unlocks continuing through 2028.
Market Impact and Future Implications
The combination of fading memecoin activity, declining user engagement, and continuous token unlocks by Alameda Research puts pressure on Solana’s price. If the price falls and holds below $150, some fear it could drop toward $100 or even lower. However, a successful defense of the $140–$150 demand zone could trigger a sharp rebound toward $165–$180, especially if ETF flows remain steady and Bitcoin holds above the $98k–$100k range.
