Solana (SOL) is trading near $105 as market participants weigh a key technical support zone against an upcoming network upgrade that could materially change how quickly transactions reach finality. Asset manager Grayscale and independent chart analysts are focused on related but distinct aspects of the ecosystem: network throughput and price structure.

Throughput: Solana Averages More Than 1,400 TPS

According to Grayscale, the network has averaged more than 1,400 transactions per second (TPS) year-to-date, a figure the firm says far exceeds competing blockchain networks. BNB Chain averaged fewer than 200 TPS over the same period, while other blockchain networks processed approximately 40 TPS.

Transaction throughput measures how many transactions a network processes within one second. Higher throughput can help blockchains handle greater activity, although actual performance also depends on network conditions and transaction demand. Solana's throughput remains a central part of its competitive positioning.

Solana ( $SOL ) is in a league of its own. Averaging 1,400 transactions per second versus just 40 TPS across other blockchain networks, its lead over rivals is only set to expand. Next week's consensus upgrade is expected to drop transaction finality to just 150 milliseconds.… pic.twitter.com/ujpnLuaUJV

— Grayscale (@Grayscale) October 16, 2026

Alpenglow Targets 150-Millisecond Finality

Grayscale also highlighted Solana's transaction costs. Fees have averaged approximately $0.005 this year, keeping transactions relatively inexpensive for users.

The network currently reaches transaction finality in roughly 13 seconds. Finality refers to the point at which a transaction is considered irreversible under a blockchain's consensus rules. The planned Alpenglow upgrade, a consensus change expected next week, is projected to reduce that window to 150 milliseconds — more than 80 times shorter than the current figure, and a substantial reduction in the time users wait for transaction confirmation.

The upgrade's expected gains should be distinguished from Solana's current capabilities. The 150-millisecond figure is a projected outcome of the upgrade, not the network's existing finality time.

Grayscale also pointed to Solana's activity in stablecoin payments. Over the past three months, the network processed approximately 25% of all stablecoin transactions, a share that exceeded other blockchains during the period. Faster finality and low fees could support payment applications that require rapid settlement, and they may also help developers build applications in which transaction costs and confirmation times shape the user experience.

What the $80–$95 Support Zone Means for Traders

SOL's technical structure presents a separate set of considerations. Crypto trader Don said the token remains near $105 after facing rejection at a descending trendline. He also noted that SOL has stabilized above $100 without retesting the lower support zone.

$SOL → holding $105 after the rejection at the dashed trendline

no zone retest yet, price stabilizing above $100

zone at $80 to $95 still the support yellow ascending line from 2023 below it

reclaim the dashed line → $166 then $378 lose the zone → setup invalidated pic.twitter.com/ucA6uFIAhR

— Don (@DonWedge) October 17, 2026

According to Don, the $80–$95 region remains the key support area. A yellow ascending trendline extending from the 2023 lows provides additional long-term chart context. In chart analysis, support refers to a price range where demand has previously slowed declines, while a trendline connects points on a chart to trace a prevailing direction — the framework behind the levels Don cites. Together, these levels define the zone traders may monitor during potential pullbacks.

Don's bullish scenario depends on SOL reclaiming the descending trendline. If that occurs, the analyst identifies $166 and $378 as potential upside targets. These are conditional chart targets, not guaranteed price outcomes. In the opposite scenario, Don said a move below the $80–$95 support zone would invalidate the bullish structure. Traders following the setup therefore have two reference points: trendline resistance above and support below.

Current Market Data

CoinGecko's latest figures show SOL trading at $104.84, with $2.66 billion in 24-hour trading volume. The token has declined 1.29% over the past 24 hours and 4.41% over the past seven days.

Solana's network performance and SOL's price structure represent different measures of the ecosystem. Higher throughput and cheaper transactions may support adoption, but they do not guarantee token appreciation.