Solana’s Revolut Partnership May Narrow Valuation Gap with Ethereum in 2026

The Solana Revolut partnership enables cost-effective crypto transfers for over 65 million Revolut users via Solana‘s high-throughput blockchain, highlighting its real-world payments potential in 2025 amid competition with Ethereum’s Fusaka upgrade.

• Solana leads in transaction volume with 74 million non-vote transactions, outpacing Ethereum by a factor of 47 despite recent upgrades.
• Solanas developer activity ranks second to Ethereum, with 1,276 full-time developers driving innovation in payments and DeFi.
• The SOL/ETH ratio has declined 20% in 2025, suggesting potential undervaluation for Solana ahead of its Alpenglow upgrade in Q1 2026.

What is the impact of the Solana Revolut partnership in 2025？

The Solana Revolut partnership integrates Solana‘s blockchain into Revolut’s platform, allowing users to conduct crypto transactions with low fees and high speed. This move positions Solana as a key player in mainstream payments, serving Revolut‘s vast user base and demonstrating practical blockchain utility. It comes at a time when Ethereum’s Fusaka upgrade aims to enhance scalability, intensifying competition between the two networks.

How does Solana compare to Ethereum in developer activity and transaction volume？

Solana trails Ethereum in developer numbers but excels in real-time performance. Ethereum boasts 3,778 full-time developers, fostering robust ecosystem growth, while Solana‘s 1,276 developers focus on high-throughput applications. On-chain data from sources like The Block reveals Solana processing 74 million non-vote transactions monthly, compared to Ethereum’s 180,000 daily average increase post-upgrades. This disparity underscores Solanas edge in handling high-volume payments, as noted by blockchain analysts who emphasize its low fees and large block limits for everyday use cases.

Beyond institutionalizing crypto assets, 2025 has shaped up to be a bullish year for bringing blockchain use-cases into the mainstream. Integration into the payments market and partnerships with financial firms are accelerating adoption across layer-1 networks.

No surprise that layer-1 blockchains are racing to capture market share. Developer activity has surged this year, with total monthly active developers reaching 30,000 and a double-digit rise in full-time contributors. These metrics signal a maturing ecosystem ready for broader implementation.

Among leading chains, Ethereum remains dominant with 3,778 full-time developers, while Solana secures second place with 1,276. Despite Ethereums Fusaka upgrade generating buzz for improved efficiency, Solana continues to innovate in scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Revolut partnership highlights Solanas real-world use case

The payments sector has emerged as a prime arena for blockchain applications in 2025. Networks are increasingly targeting this space to unlock new revenue streams through DeFi and instant settlements.

For instance, Ripple has forged major alliances with financial institutions, enabling near-instant cross-border transfers. Projections from McKinsey indicate the global payments market could reach $3 trillion by 2029, making these integrations essential for growth.

Solana is actively entering this domain, with its recent collaboration with Revolut marking a significant step. This partnership embeds Solana into the neobanking ecosystem, facilitating seamless crypto movements.

Source: X

Revolut, Europe‘s premier neobank, serves more than 65 million users, including 15 million with crypto accounts. Through Solana integration, these users benefit from efficient transfers leveraging Solana’s infrastructure.

Strategically, this partnership showcases Solanas strengths in banking applications: superior throughput, minimal transaction costs, elevated transactions per second, and expanded block capacities. Experts in blockchain finance, such as those from Deloitte, highlight how such features make Solana ideal for high-demand financial services.

The timing adds intrigue, occurring shortly after Ethereum‘s Fusaka upgrade activation. Whether coincidental or calculated, it amplifies Solana’s position in the evolving payments landscape.

Solana widens its usage lead as Ethereum levels up

Ethereums upgrades have consistently enhanced network usability, driving both price surges and activity spikes. The Fusaka update follows this pattern, promising further optimizations.

Early indicators post-Fusaka mirror previous responses, with pre-upgrade preparations boosting metrics. Ethereums seven-day transaction average rose by 180,000 in late November, reflecting heightened engagement.

Source: The Block

Solana maintains its advantage, recording 74 million non-vote transactions. Even after Ethereums consecutive 2025 enhancements, Solana processes roughly 47 times more daily transactions, affirming its robust network fundamentals.

This performance bolsters the Solana-Revolut alliance, illustrating trust from fintech leaders in Solanas reliability. Blockchain researchers from Chainalysis point out that such metrics are crucial for sustainable adoption in regulated environments.

Yet, these on-chain gains have not yet translated to price movements. This raises questions about Solanas valuation relative to Ethereum, especially with Fusaka now operational—could the valuation gap widen into 2026？

2026 outlook: SOLs fundamentals vs. ETH valuation

Valuation dynamics between Solana and Ethereum have dominated discussions throughout 2025. Both networks feature compelling use cases, strong fundamentals, and vibrant communities, yet Ethereum commands a premium.

Entering 2026, this imbalance may intensify or begin to correct. Solanas momentum—from ETF approvals to strategic partnerships—stems from superior scaling, often overlooked by current pricing.

The anticipated Alpenglow upgrade in the first quarter of 2026 could catalyze change. By further optimizing consensus mechanisms, it promises to align Solanas market value more closely with its transaction efficiency and adoption rates compared to Ethereum.

Financial experts from PwC suggest that such technical advancements, combined with real-world integrations like the Revolut partnership, could drive a reevaluation of Solanas potential in the broader crypto market.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat makes the Solana Revolut partnership significant for crypto payments in 2025？

The partnership allows Revolut‘s 65 million users to leverage Solana’s low-cost, high-speed transactions for crypto transfers, bridging traditional finance and blockchain. It underscores Solanas viability for everyday payments, potentially expanding DeFi accessibility amid a $3 trillion market projection by 2029.

How will Ethereum‘s Fusaka upgrade affect Solana’s competitive position？

Ethereum‘s Fusaka upgrade improves scalability and reduces fees, boosting transaction volumes by up to 180,000 daily. However, Solana’s 74 million monthly non-vote transactions maintain its lead in high-volume use cases, positioning it strongly for payments and potentially narrowing the valuation gap over time.

Key Takeaways

• Solana‘s on-chain strengths shine through the Revolut partnership: Enabling efficient crypto handling for millions, it validates Solana’s role in real-world finance with minimal fees and high throughput.
• Transaction leadership persists despite Ethereum upgrades: Solanas 47x volume advantage highlights robust fundamentals, supported by growing developer activity at 1,276 full-time contributors.
• 2026 Alpenglow upgrade eyes valuation realignment: This could close the 20% SOL/ETH gap, rewarding Solanas adoption with better market recognition—monitor for investment opportunities.