Solana is a high-performance blockchain platform designed for decentralized applications (dApps) and crypto projects, known for its scalability and speed. Launched in 2020 by Anatoly Yakovenko, Solana was created to address the limitations of existing blockchains, particularly in terms of transaction throughput and latency. Utilizing a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH), Solana can process thousands of transactions per second, making it one of the fastest blockchains available. SOL is the native cryptocurrency of the Solana network, used for transaction fees, staking, and participating in governance. It serves as a crucial component in facilitating operations within the ecosystem, allowing users to interact with various dApps and services built on the platform. Solana's rapid rise in popularity has positioned it as a major player in the DeFi and NFT spaces, attracting significant developer and investor interest.