Solana dominates crypto trends in the New Year… despite a 46% drop

Despite a 46% drop in three months, Solana is at the top of the crypto trends at the start of the year, according to Santiment data. This accumulation is supported by large portfolios, while the majority of investors remain on the sidelines after an unstable year 2025. Such a discreet but structured movement is striking. Is this a simple opportunistic bet or an early signal of a turnaround?

Whales on the prowl: a massive accumulation of Solana at the start of the year

At the very beginning of 2026, data published by the Santiment analysis platform shows that Solana is the most discussed crypto topic on social networks and in specialized circles, despite the triggering of a record liquidation.

The 1^er January, Santiment revealed that many large wallets have made “repeat purchases of 10 Solana or more” on several assets linked to the SOL ecosystem. According to the report, these purchases do not only concern the native token, but several products associated with the ecosystem, although their capitalizations vary.

At the same time, the behavioral trust score measured by the Santiment heuristic tool is around 70%, which indicates a “moderate, but constant confidence” among these investors.

Despite a notable 46% drop in SOL price over the past three months, the data points to resilient market activity, particularly on the whale side. Santiment specifies that liquidity remains strong, which allows these large entities to intervene in the market without causing major distortions. THE key elements reported by the study include:

• Repeated purchases of 10 SOL or more, made by high-capacity wallets;
• A diversity of Solana assets concerned, beyond just the native token;
• A behavioral trust score of around 70%, reflecting a measured but solid conviction;
• Liquidity maintained, despite the significant drop in price over the quarter.

These observations suggest that these investors are anticipating a market turnaround or wish to strengthen their strategic positions at price levels considered attractive. In the absence of an immediate catalyst, this accumulation suggests a long-term vision on the part of these dominant players.

Discreet but significant institutional support

Beyond the specific accumulation on the SOL, the trends noted by Santiment at the start of this new year point to a global dynamic, at the crossroads of traditional finance and cryptos.

In a year-end post, David Duong, head of research at Coinbase, highlighted that “the year 2025 helped lay the regulatory foundations for broader adoption of cryptos”. According to him, 2026 should mark an acceleration, driven in particular by the rise of spot ETFs, the generalization of stablecoins in settlement systems and the tokenization of financial assets. These structuring developments are gradually being integrated into the flows of traditional finance.

This convergence between crypto and TradFi could indirectly benefit blockchains like Solana, known for their speed and low transaction costs. Furthermore, the retirement of Warren Buffett, an emblematic figure of skepticism towards bitcoin, is relaunching discussions on generational renewal in investment approaches. Rumors even suggest a more favorable posture towards cryptos on the part of the new management of Berkshire Hathaway, without any official announcement having yet been made.