ADA vs SOL: Cardano vs Solana — 2026 Comparison
This page compares Cardano (ADA) and Solana (SOL) using the DeFi Intel research dataset. Native asset of the Cardano blockchain, a research-driven proof-of-stake platform using the Ouroboros consensus protocol. Used for staking and governance. Native asset of the Solana blockchain, a high-throughput proof-of-stake chain using proof-of-history for ordering. Used for fees, staking, and governance. As of the last data review, ADA ranks #9 by approximate market capitalisation (≈$17B) and SOL ranks #6 (≈$85B).
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Cardano (ADA) | Solana (SOL) |
|---|---|---|
| Market-cap rank | #9 | #6 |
| Approx market cap (USD) | $17B | $85B |
| Category | Layer 1 | Layer 1 |
| Chain(s) | Cardano | Solana |
| Token standard | native | native |
| Launched | September 2017 | March 2020 |
| Consensus role | PoS | PoS |
| Issuer | Iohk | Solana Foundation |
| Issuer type | Decentralized (no single issuer) | Decentralized (no single issuer) |
| Total supply | 45,000,000,000 | 585,000,000 |
| Circulating supply | 36,000,000,000 | 535,000,000 |
| Max supply | 45,000,000,000 | uncapped |
Cardano (ADA) in brief
- Native asset of the Cardano blockchain, a research-driven proof-of-stake platform using the Ouroboros consensus protocol. Used for staking and governance.
- Launched September 2017.
- Chain-native asset of Cardano.
- Max supply: 45,000,000,000.
- Issuer: Iohk.
Full profile: Cardano (ADA) token page.
Solana (SOL) in brief
- Native asset of the Solana blockchain, a high-throughput proof-of-stake chain using proof-of-history for ordering. Used for fees, staking, and governance.
- Launched March 2020.
- Chain-native asset of Solana.
- No fixed max supply (uncapped).
- Issuer: Solana Foundation.
Full profile: Solana (SOL) token page.
Key differences (data view)
- SOL is the larger asset by market capitalisation: rank #6 (≈$85B) versus rank #9 (≈$17B) for ADA.
- ADA is the older asset — launched in 2017, 3 years before SOL (2020).
- They live on different chains — ADA: Cardano; SOL: Solana.
- ADA has a fixed max supply of 45,000,000,000; SOL has no supply cap.
- Both are classified as Layer 1 assets in the DeFi Intel dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, ADA or SOL?
Solana (SOL) is larger by market capitalisation: approximately $85B (rank #6) versus $17B (rank #9) for ADA, as of the last DeFi Intel data review.
When did Cardano and Solana launch?
Cardano launched in September 2017; Solana launched in March 2020.
Are ADA and SOL on the same chain?
No. ADA is on Cardano, while SOL is on Solana.
Does ADA or SOL have a fixed supply?
Cardano (ADA) has a fixed max supply of 45,000,000,000. Solana (SOL) has no fixed supply cap.
Related comparisons
- ADA vs BTC
- ADA vs ETH
- APT vs SOL
- AVAX vs SOL
- BTC vs SOL
- ETH vs SOL
- Cardano (ADA) token profile
- Solana (SOL) token profile
- All DeFi Intel comparisons →
Methodology & sources
Every figure on this page is drawn from the DeFi Intel token research dataset — the same data that powers the ADA and SOL token profiles. Market capitalisations and supply figures are approximate snapshots from the last dataset review, not live quotes. DeFi Intel publishes editorial research, not financial advice.