Solana handled 25.3 billion transactions in Q1 2026, dwarfing Ethereum's total

CoinDesk reports that Solana processed about 25.3 billion transactions in the first quarter of 2026, far above Ethereum's roughly 200 million over the same period. While the two networks don't count activity in identical ways, the scale of the gap is hard to overlook. Solana's appeal continues to center on speed and cost. The network runs on proof-of-stake (PoS) and also uses proof-of-history (PoH), which effectively adds time-ordering to transactions to streamline verification. Solana is cited at roughly 1,200 transactions per second, versus about 24 per second for Ethereum's base layer. In theory, Solana could scale to tens of thousands of transactions per second, supporting applications that need fast, low-cost execution. Developer traction is improving, though Ethereum still dominates the broader ecosystem. Solana added more than 11,000 new developers from early 2025 through the end of 2025, lifting its total to nearly 18,000. Ethereum remained well ahead, with its developer count exceeding 31,000 over the same timeframe, helped by its Layer 1, Layer 2 rollups, and extensive integrations. Headline transaction volume also needs context. A meaningful share of Solana transactions comes from validator voting activity tied to network maintenance, while Ethereum reports comparable metrics differently, making direct comparisons of raw totals imperfect. Even with those caveats, CoinDesk notes that Solana's network activity is rising, user participation is growing, and developer interest remains strong. Looking forward, Solana still has room to expand, but competition is intensifying. Ethereum continues to improve performance and efficiency through rollups, and further cost reductions could temper Solana's momentum. Solana, for its part, is benefiting from sustained developer interest and ongoing infrastructure upgrades, and staking-related investment products have increased institutional attention. If the broader crypto market strengthens, CoinDesk suggests SOL could revisit prior highs or potentially move beyond them. The competitive picture remains unsettled: Solana is gaining ground in some areas, while Ethereum continues to defend its lead in others.