ETH vs SOL: Ethereum vs Solana — 2026 Comparison
This page compares Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) using the DeFi Intel research dataset. Native asset of the Ethereum blockchain, used to pay gas fees and secure the network through proof-of-stake consensus. Launched in 2015 with smart contract support. 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, ETH ranks #2 by approximate market capitalisation (≈$420B) and SOL ranks #6 (≈$85B).
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Ethereum (ETH) | Solana (SOL) |
|---|---|---|
| Market-cap rank | #2 | #6 |
| Approx market cap (USD) | $420B | $85B |
| Category | Layer 1 | Layer 1 |
| Chain(s) | Ethereum | Solana |
| Token standard | native | native |
| Launched | July 2015 | March 2020 |
| Consensus role | PoS | PoS |
| Issuer | Ethereum Foundation | Solana Foundation |
| Issuer type | Decentralized (no single issuer) | Decentralized (no single issuer) |
| Total supply | 120,500,000 | 585,000,000 |
| Circulating supply | 120,500,000 | 535,000,000 |
| Max supply | uncapped | uncapped |
Ethereum (ETH) in brief
- Native asset of the Ethereum blockchain, used to pay gas fees and secure the network through proof-of-stake consensus. Launched in 2015 with smart contract support.
- Launched July 2015.
- Chain-native asset of Ethereum.
- No fixed max supply (uncapped).
- Issuer: Ethereum Foundation.
Full profile: Ethereum (ETH) 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)
- ETH is the larger asset by market capitalisation: rank #2 (≈$420B) versus rank #6 (≈$85B) for SOL.
- ETH is the older asset — launched in 2015, 5 years before SOL (2020).
- They live on different chains — ETH: Ethereum; SOL: Solana.
- Both are classified as Layer 1 assets in the DeFi Intel dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, ETH or SOL?
Ethereum (ETH) is larger by market capitalisation: approximately $420B (rank #2) versus $85B (rank #6) for SOL, as of the last DeFi Intel data review.
When did Ethereum and Solana launch?
Ethereum launched in July 2015; Solana launched in March 2020.
Are ETH and SOL on the same chain?
No. ETH is on Ethereum, while SOL is on Solana.
Related comparisons
- ADA vs ETH
- ADA vs SOL
- APT vs ETH
- APT vs SOL
- AVAX vs ETH
- AVAX vs SOL
- Ethereum (ETH) 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 ETH 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.