Solana is back at the center of attention, and this time it’s not just hype.

On-chain data shows SOL leading in users, transactions, developer activity, trading volume, and fees. Add to that over two years of continuous uptime, and it’s clear the network has quietly built real operational credibility.

• Why the Alibaba Angle Matters

This isn’t just another partnership headline.

Alibaba Cloud recently showcased high-performance Solana RPCs, aimed at reducing latency and improving execution speed. When you combine that with ZAN, you’re looking at infrastructure that could support on-chain high-frequency trading.

Milliseconds don’t sound exciting, until you’re competing in tight markets. That kind of edge attracts serious players and signals institutional-grade confidence in Solana’s performance model.

• Open Interest Is Rising — Attention Is Back

Open Interest jumping to $2.1B in a single day tells a clear story: traders are positioning.

Rising OI alone doesn’t confirm direction, but when it shows up at a major support level, it usually means volatility is coming. Longs and shorts are both preparing and someone will be wrong.

• The $80 Question

This is the real test.

SOL is sitting at a long-term demand zone around $80, a level that has historically acted as strong support. A clean hold here could mark the base for a broader recovery. A breakdown, and the structure turns decisively bearish.

Meanwhile, indicators like the stochastic RSI are starting to rebound from oversold levels, hinting that downside momentum may be cooling.

Strong Fundamentals, Compressed Price

This is the setup that always divides opinions.

On one side: expanding infrastructure, institutional attention, and top-tier network activity.

On the other: price stuck at a critical inflection point.

Personally, I pay close attention when fundamentals strengthen while price compresses. It doesn’t guarantee direction, but it usually precedes a larger move.

• My Take

This isn’t a chase zone. It’s an observation zone.

If $80 holds, patience could be rewarded. If it fails, risk management matters more than conviction. Either way, Solana feels like it’s approaching a decision point, not a dead zone.

Are you accumulating here, waiting for confirmation, or staying on the sidelines until structure clears?