What happened between Solana and Ethereum in Q1 2026?

Solana led Q1 DEX trading with a 30.6% market share, but Ethereum briefly overtook it in March with 27%. This shows Solana still dominates overall, but competition is increasing. The shift suggests momentum may be changing.

Why did Solana’s trading volume drop despite leading the market?

Solana’s trading volume fell 26.5% during the quarter, indicating weaker activity even while holding top position. This suggests the broader market slowed or users diversified across chains. Market share leadership doesn’t always mean growth.

How strong is Ethereum’s comeback in DEX trading?

Ethereum overtaking Solana in March signals renewed strength in its ecosystem. It captured 27% market share during that period. This could point to improving liquidity and user activity on Ethereum-based DEXs.

Where does BNB Chain stand in the competition?

BNB Chain ranked second overall in Q1 with a 24.5% share, slightly ahead of Ethereum’s quarterly total. However, it saw a sharper decline in activity. This puts its position at risk in upcoming quarters.

What role are new chains like Monad playing?

Monad has entered the top 10 chains by trading volume after launching in late 2025. This shows new competitors are gaining traction quickly. It adds pressure on established networks.

Why is Solana still dominant in network activity?

Solana processed about 25.3 billion transactions in Q1, far exceeding other chains. This highlights its strength in throughput and scalability. High activity levels support its continued relevance.

How important is stablecoin activity for Solana?

Stablecoin transactions reached $650 billion in February alone on Solana. This surge was driven by new products like USDPT and JUPUSD. Stablecoins are a key driver of network usage and liquidity.

What does this mean for SOL’s price outlook?

SOL showed resilience, recovering to around $89.86 after volatility. Strong network activity and stablecoin growth support its fundamentals. However, rising competition could limit upside.

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Solana leads Q1 but Ethereum gains momentum

Written by Isaac FrancisPublished Apr 20, 2026, 12:00 AM

Solana led decentralised exchange (DEX) spot trading in Q1 2026 with a 30.6% market share, despite a 26.5% drop in trading volume.

Ethereum briefly overtook Solana in March, capturing 27% market share compared to Solana’s 26%, signalling intensifying competition.

CoinGecko data showed BNB Chain ranked second for the quarter at 24.5%, slightly ahead of Ethereum’s 23.7%, though its activity declined more sharply.

Emerging networks like Monad have gained traction, climbing into the top 10 chains by trading volume after its 2025 mainnet launch.

Solana continued to dominate network activity, processing 25.3 billion transactions in Q1, far ahead of competitors like BNB Chain and Tron.

Stablecoin usage surged on Solana, with $650 billion in transaction volume recorded in February alone, driven by new offerings such as USDPT and JUPUSD.

Despite competitive pressure, SOL’s price recovered late in the week, climbing toward $89.86 after earlier volatility.

At the time of reporting, Solana price was $84.13.

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Solana leads Q1 but Ethereum gains momentum

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