Solana Founders Bet Big on Memecoins, Dismiss AI Agents as Overrated: Survey

The Blockworks Research survey, published on January 3, questioned 42 project heads, providing insights into the emerging trends and hurdles influencing the evolution of the blockchain network.

Memecoins: A Positive Force

Based on a study by Blockworks Research, about three-quarters of the 42 Solana founders questioned consider memecoins as generally beneficial for the system. These digital tokens, known for their humorous marketing strategy and speculative allure, have played a substantial role in boosting Solana’s increase in activity and total value locked (TVL).

In the year 2024, Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) experienced an incredible surge, climbing from $1.5 billion to a staggering $8.5 billion. This growth was primarily fueled by an influx of individual traders who showed keen interest in memecoins based on the Solana platform. Notable platforms like Pump.fun have been instrumental, accumulating over $8.5 billion in transaction volume since their launch and occasionally outperforming Ethereum in daily earnings, as reported by DeFiLlama.

In 2024, the broader market for meme coins experienced a significant surge, as their combined value skyrocketed from $20 billion to more than $120 billion, showcasing their growing influence within the realm of cryptocurrencies.

AI Agents: Overrated or Misunderstood?

On a different note, the creators of Solana express reservations towards AI agents, with around 16% considering them as the “most overhyped” area within the system. Although AI agents, capable of performing intricate tasks independently, have garnered increased attention, their reception remains divided.

2024 saw a remarkable surge in the market value of tokens linked to AI-powered agents, reaching an impressive combined total of $16 billion, with the majority of this growth happening during the last quarter. Notable examples include Zerebro (ZEREBRO) and Fartcoin (FART), which experienced substantial momentum. Yet, there remains a lingering apprehension about the sector’s ability to fulfill its promises. As the founder of Web3 startup Acolyte AI, Condz, voiced on X: “Many crypto AI agents are either fraudulent or fall short of expectations.

Mounting MEV Challenges

The survey additionally brought forth worries about Maximum Extractable Value (MEV), as over 20% of participants pointed out that this was Solana’s top priority. MEV refers to a situation where users pay validators to prioritize their transactions, leading unintentionally to higher transaction costs and potentially opening the network up to sandwich attacks.

In 2024, Solana’s validators earned more in terms of MEV (Miners Extractable Value) than their counterparts on Ethereum. This increase coincided with a nearly threefold rise in transaction fees, as per Dune Analytics. These trends highlight the importance of finding strategies to keep Solana’s competitive advantage intact.

In response to being asked about potential options, most Solana founders indicated a strong lean towards Base (a scaling solution developed by Coinbase) or Sui (a competing layer-1 blockchain). Both of these platforms have been receiving significant attention due to their advanced technology and growing user bases, thereby increasing competition within the blockchain industry.

A Balanced Future

Solana consistently dominates in the blockchain world, skillfully handling the hurdles presented by innovative technologies and market fluctuations. Meanwhile, memecoins are gaining traction, but doubts persist about AI agents and MEV matters, which point to potential areas for refinement. As it moves forward, tackling these issues will be crucial for maintaining its progress and upholding its standing in the cryptocurrency world.

Through a combination of forward-thinking and practical strategies, Solana strives to maintain its leadership position within the blockchain sector, serving as a model for other networks. It is anticipated that Solana will experience a prosperous 2025, with price forecasts suggesting potential new record highs in Q1 of the year following the inauguration of Trump.

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2025-01-06 13:31