Ethereum Vs Solana
The Ethereum vs Solana debate has become quite a prominent one, with Solana’s proof-of-history (PoH) consensus mechanism presenting a serious challenge to the scalability difficulties of the Ethereum network. This guide will look in more detail at both cryptos, comparing the risk, opportunities and key considerations for traders. We have also provided a list of the top brokers offering Etherum vs Solana trading below.
Top Ethereum & Solana Trading Brokers
#1 - OANDA
Speculate on the world's biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Users can also trade digital currencies in a few taps through the iOS and Android mobile app.
We recommend OANDA for traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium market research and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is a particularly good pick for US traders with authorization from local regulators and a secure trading environment.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: $100
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: MT4, TradingView
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: CFTC, NFA
OANDA Crypto Coins
OANDA offers trading on at least 10 crypto coins: AAVE, BCH, BTC, ETH, LINK, LTC, MATIC, PAXG, SOL, UNI
Forex Trading
OANDA offers over 70 forex pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker's in-house platform also offers impressive execution speeds and a suite of advanced charting and analysis tools.
Stocks Trading
Over 1600 shares are available from leading stock exchanges. There are also no commissions on US stocks and traders benefit from free expert insights and market reports.
About OANDA
OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is authorized by leading regulators, including the CFTC/NFA. Around the clock support is available, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
Pros
- Transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
- Industry-leading platforms including MT4 and TradingView
- US clients accepted
Cons
- Customer support not available on the weekend
- Stock trading not available in all countries
#2 - Webull
Webull offers trading on popular cryptos like Bitcoin against the US Dollar. With 35+ tokens and premium analysis tools, traders can review market trends and identify opportunities in a few taps.
Webull is best for traders looking to buy and sell stocks on a user-friendly app with zero commissions.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: Floating
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
Webull Crypto Coins
Webull offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 43 coins. For example: ADA DASH, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, BAT, BCH, BTC, CRV, DOGE, EOS, ETC, ETH, FTM, GRT, LINK, LRC, LTC, LUNA, MANA, MATIC, REM, SHIB, SISHI, SOL, TRX, UNI, XLM, XMR, XTZ, ZEC
Forex Trading
Webull offers a modest collection of 17 currencies, including majors like EUR/USD. Forex can be traded on the feature-rich investing app with real-time quotes and low spreads.
Stocks Trading
Webull offers a fantastic list of 2000+ US stocks, fractional shares, options, ETFs, OTC, and ADRs. There is no commission on stocks, ETFs, and options. Full extended trading hours is available while custom screeners and watchlists aid the decision making process.
About Webull
Webull is a US-regulated trading app that offers stocks, options, forex, cryptos, ETFs, fractional shares and more. The firm is authorized by the SEC and FINRA with a strong trust rating. Low fees, no minimum investment and generous bonuses have made the discount broker popular with online investors.
Pros
- Respected brand with strong regulatory oversight
- Brokerage account plus IRA
- Easy-to-use investment platform and mobile app
Cons
- Sometimes sudden changes in trading conditions
- High deposit and withdrawal wire fees for non-US residents
- Day trading is limited for customers with less than $25,000 deposited
#3 - Uphold
Uphold offers trading on more than 100 crypto assets including via crypto-only pairs and crypto-fiat cross pairs.
- Crypto Spread: 0.5% to 1% average
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: Yes
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: FCA, FinCEN
Uphold Crypto Coins
Uphold offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 96 coins. For example: AAVE, ADA, ALCX, ALGO, API3, ATOM, AUDIO, AVAX, AXS, BAL, BAT, BCH, BTC, BTCO, CAKE, CHR, DAO, DYDX, ETH, GHST, GLMR, GODS, INH, LSK, NMR, REQ, ROOK, TRB, XRP, XYO
Stocks Trading
Speculate on large US stocks including Tesla, Amazon, Alibaba and Apple
About Uphold
Trading in the Uphold environment offers a one-stop-shop for all your crypto requirements.
#4 - Videforex
Start trading on cryptos against fiat currencies and other alt coins.
- Crypto Spread: Floating
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: TradingView
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $250
- Regulator:
Videforex Crypto Coins
Videforex offers trading on at least 11 crypto coins: BNB, BTC, DOGE, ETH, MATIC, QUANT, SOL, UNI, USDT, XMR, XRP
CFD Trading
A suite of CFDs are available across popular markets with high leverage.
Forex Trading
Videforex offers leveraged trading on major, minor and exotic currency pairs.
Stocks Trading
Videforex offers trading on major exchanges such as the FTSE.
About Videforex
Videforex accepts deposits in a range of cryptos and fiat currencies. Payouts reach 98% per trade.
Pros
- Copy trading
- Demo account
- Full range of investments
Cons
- Weak regulatory oversight
- No MT4 integration
#5 - Firstrade
Take positions on 35+ cryptocurrencies with low fees and 24/7 investing.
- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
Firstrade Crypto Coins
Firstrade offers trading on at least 26 crypto coins: ADA, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, BAT, BCH, BTC, CRO, CRV, DOGE, ETC, ETH, FTM, GRT, LINK, LRC, LTC, MANA, MATIC, REN, SHIB, SOL, SUSHI, UNI, XLM, YFI
Stocks Trading
Trade stocks commission-free with access to major exchanges in the US and abroad.
About Firstrade
Firstrade is a US-headquartered discount broker-dealer. With welcome bonuses, powerful tools and apps, plus commission-free trading, Firstrade Securities is a popular online brokerage.
Pros
- Good execution speed
- Strong regulatory oversight
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- No MT4 integration
- No copy trading
- No demo account
#6 - Revolut
Revolut offers 100+ tokens including Bitcoin. Buy, sell and transfer cryptos on the iOS and Android app.
Revolut is suitable for casual stock traders looking for an easy-to-use app with transparent fees and a low minimum investment.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: 2.5% commission for standard profiles
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: FINRA, SEC
Revolut Crypto Coins
Revolut offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 53 coins. For example: 1INCH, AAVE, ADA, ALGO, AMP, ANKR, ATOM, BAND, BAT, BCH, BNT, BTC, CELO, CHL, COMP, CRV, CTSI, DOGE, ENJ, EOS, ETH, FIL, ICP, KEEP, KNC, LINK, LTC, MANA, RLC, ZRX
Stocks Trading
Trade thousands of shares including blue chip stocks like Apple and Microsoft. Invest from $1 with fractional stock trading.
About Revolut
Revolut is a popular financial app that also offers trading on stocks, metals and digital currencies. The brand has over 25 million users worldwide with a choice of accounts, tools and services to suit different needs and budgets, including online investing and currency exchange.
Pros
- Secure trading environment & login protocols
- Send money to 200+ countries
- Beginner-friendly mobile investing application
Cons
- No margin trading
- No advanced trading platform
- Relatively narrow product range
#7 - Nexo
Nexo traders can buy and sell 60+ cryptocurrencies using fiat, or trade between 500+ market pairs. The app functions as a crypto wallet, meaning that clients will own their own tokens but Nexo will have custody of them. Crypto assets can be transferred from the Nexo wallet. Fees are low and user security is high.
Nexo is good for traders who want a straightforward way to access DeFi crypto markets and earn interest on their digital assets.
- DayTrading Review Team
- Crypto Spread: N/A
- Crypto Lending: Yes
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: Yes
- Minimum Deposit: $10
- Regulator: ASIC, FCEN
Nexo Crypto Coins
Nexo offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 39 coins. For example: ADA, APE, ATOM, AVAX, AXS, BCH, BNB, BTC, DOGE, DOT, EOS, ETH, FTM, KSM, LINK, LTC, MANA, MATIC, NEAR, NEXO, PAXG, RUNE, SAND, SOL, TRX, UNI, USDC, USDT, XLM, XRP
About Nexo
Nexo is a crypto trading platform that also acts as a gateway to DeFi crypto functions such as staking, borrowing and lending. The platform supports 60+ crypto tokens, which can be purchased with a fiat on-ramp and traded in 500+ market pairs. The exchange operates a zero-fee policy allowing a set number of completely free withdrawals per month and fee-free trading.
Pros
- High-yield interest savings
- Convenient way to buy, stake, lend and borrow crypto through one platform
- Referral program with $25 in BTC
Cons
- Relatively small selection of crypto tokens which misses newer altcoins
- Limited free cryptocurrency withdrawals
- No crypto derivative trading
#8 - Pionex
Pionex is an automated crypto trading platform with built-in bots and a wide range of tokens.
- Crypto Spread: Market
- Crypto Lending: No
- Platforms: Own
- Crypto Staking: No
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: FinCEN
Pionex Crypto Coins
Pionex offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 229 coins. For example: AAVE, ADA, ALICE, AXS, BAKE, BCH, BTC, BTT, BUSD, CAKE, DOGE, DOT, EOS, ETC, ETH, FIL, HT, ICP, JST, LINK, LTC, NFT, PUNDIX, SNX, SUN, TFUEL, TRX, UNI, WIN, XRP
About Pionex
Pionex is a cryptocurrency exchange with impressive automated trading tools and bots.
#9 - Gemini
Trade over 100 crypto pairs on an extensive list of popular and emerging digital currencies.
- Crypto Spread: Transaction fee from $0.99
- Crypto Lending: Yes
- Platforms: AlgoTrader, TradingView
- Crypto Staking: Yes
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Regulator: NYDFS, MAS, FCA
Gemini Crypto Coins
Gemini offers trading on a large number of coins, at least 56 coins. For example: AAV, ADA, ATOM, BAT, BCH, BTC, COMP, DAI, DOGE, DOT, ENJ, EOS, ETH, FIL, GRT, LINK, LTC, MANA, MKR, SNX, SOL, UMA, UNI, WBTC, XLM, XRP, XTZ, YFI, ZEC, ZRX
About Gemini
Gemini is a leading crypto trading exchange with low fees and 100+ cryptocurrency and altcoins.
Pros
- Low minimum deposit
- Strong regulation
- Multiple account currencies
Cons
- No copy trading
- No demo account
- No MetaTrader 4
What Is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a decentralised network and blockchain, much like Bitcoin. It was released in July 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and Joseph Lubin, amongst others, and has its own cryptocurrency token, Ether (ETH). In terms of market value, only Bitcoin is larger than ETH, which is important to note when considering the benefits of Ethereum vs Solana.
Ethereum has become hugely popular in recent years because it has features that Bitcoin does not. Bitcoin is mainly a payment network, whereas Ethereum also runs decentralised applications (dapps) using smart contracts. However, going back to Ethereum vs Solana, Solana now also has an extensive range of dapps.
Cryptocurrencies like ETH are popular with traders as they are volatile and influenced by factors that traditional currencies are not. Additionally, traders can speculate on the price movement of ETH without actually owning the crypto through CFDs and spread betting, which are offered by a range of brokers like CMC Markets. With regards to Ethereum vs Solana, traders may find it easier to trade ETH given its prominence in the crypto market.
What Is Solana?
Solana, like Ethereum, is a blockchain network based on decentralisation. Solana was launched in March 2020 (founded by Anatoly Yakovenko) and its cryptocurrency, SOL, is among the top ten by market cap. This has increased focus on the Ethereum vs Solana debate, as can be seen on social media like Reddit and Medium. The platform and its cryptocurrency have seen fast growth, mainly because its consensus mechanism (PoH) has undercut other platforms in terms of transaction times and fees. Having said that, Ethereum remains a dominant player in the DeFi market.
SOL can be traded in the same way as ETH, though traders can also stake any spare or inactive SOL funds, essentially earning passive income through interest. This is an important differentiation to note for Ethereum vs Solana.
Ethereum Vs Solana Similarities
Trading
When considering Ethereum vs Solana, be aware that both ETH and SOL can usually be traded on the main crypto centralised exchanges. A centralised exchange is a platform where a third party holds your funds through custodial wallets once they are deposited in your account, allowing you to trade and purchase other tokens through their network. Certain cryptos can also be traded on decentralised exchanges, where the trader always retains control of their funds.
Centralised exchanges may be a more appropriate starting point for novices, as traders may find they offer a more user-friendly experience and have better educational material available. However, as decentralised exchanges do not involve a third party, they do not require users to have an account, which can allow traders to begin trading faster and maintain anonymity. It may be easier to trade Ethereum vs Solana on some decentralised exchanges, given its greater size and popularity.
Both Ethereum and Solana be traded as CFDs and through spread betting, which can both involve leverage. Leverage allows traders to gain increased exposure to a market for a given amount of capital, which has the potential to increase both returns and losses. When deciding on Ethereum vs Solana, note that both ETH and SOL are volatile, which can make leverage a high-risk strategy.
Whatever decision traders make regarding Ethereum vs Solana, amateur traders should start with the spot market, where exchanges will allow you to go long (buying an asset with the hope that its value will increase) or go short (selling an asset with the hope that its value will decrease and then buying it back).
Storage
For those wanting to store either Ethereum vs Solana, a crypto wallet is required. There are several different types of wallets available depending on a trader’s preference. For example, there are ‘hot’ wallets that are connected to the internet, offering more convenience at the expense of being more vulnerable to hackers. ‘Cold’ wallets, on the other hand, are not connected to the internet, so are recommended for funds that traders do not anticipate using for a prolonged period.
Wallets for the two different blockchains (Ethereum vs Solana) will share common themes, such as a public key, which is how people can send you money and a private key, which is how you access the funds in your wallet.
The right wallet will depend on the trader’s experience with crypto, the quantity of funds they are depositing, what they plan to do with the funds and other factors. When choosing which crypto to trade (i.e Ethereum vs Solana), always research the different wallets available.
Regulation
Although regulators and governments have taken a more active interest in cryptocurrency in recent years, the market still lacks the regulation that is imposed on traditional money markets. In the UK, cryptoassets are generally only regulated for money laundering purposes and traders should be aware that they are unlikely to have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Those considering Ethereum vs Solana should be aware of the risks involved.
Ethereum Vs Solana Differences
Consensus Mechanism
Proof-of-work (PoW) is the current consensus mechanism for Ethereum. This is where miners complete complex mathematical puzzles before the solution is then verified by other miners. Transactions are then added to the blockchain ecosystem and the miner that solves the puzzle receives a reward in the form of ETH. This process maintains the security and integrity of the platform by reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions being added to the blockchain. Whether it’s Ethereum vs Solana, Polkadot, Cardano or Bitcoin, all these blockchain networks need a consensus mechanism to verify the legitimacy of new transactions and maintain the security of the system.
Ethereum will soon be moving to a different consensus mechanism, proof-of-stake (PoS). This method is becoming much more popular as it uses significantly less energy and addresses some of the environmental concerns some users have when considering Ethereum vs Solana. Instead of miners competing to solve mathematical puzzles, a particular ‘validator’ is chosen to forge each block. To be chosen, participants must stake some crypto, with the more staked the more likely you are to be chosen.
Solana has built on the PoS consensus mechanism and pioneered a concept called proof of history (PoH), which can process transactions and add them to the blockchain must more quickly. When considering Ethereum vs Solana, Solana can process more than 50,000 transactions per second (TPS), whereas Ethereum can only do around 15.
Speed
Transaction times are usually much faster on the Solana blockchain in comparison to Ethereum’s, a significant differentiation when weighing up Ethereum vs Solana. The former is a crowded network and its reliance on individual miners processing transactions slows the system down. Solana, on the other hand, adopts a more automated consensus mechanism through PoH. The quicker the transaction time, the better for crypto traders, as they can respond more quickly to price movements.
Distribution
ETH was initially distributed in an Initial Coin Offering (ICO). Unlike Bitcoin, there is no maximum supply for ETH, though its annual supply is limited to 18 million ETH.
When the Solana network launched, it had an initial total supply of 500 million SOL, though this has now reduced by around 11 million SOL. Tokenomics and the supply of crypto are important when considering Ethereum vs Solana.
Price & Market Cap
ETH has a much higher market cap at over $400 billion, compared to SOL’s $40 billion. Both are sizeable but ETH is still in a dominant position. Whether SOL can close this gap will depend, in part, on the success of the PoH consensus mechanism and the reaction of those closely following Ethereum vs Solana.
In terms of the respective cryptos of Ethereum vs Solana, ETH’s higher market cap is reflected in the price of ETH, which sits around $3,500, compared to SOL’s $150. Cryptocurrencies with higher markets capitalisations are usually favoured by more risk-averse traders, although all cryptos are volatile to some degree, which traders can see through an online chart showing the change in the value of a particular crypto over time.
It is also worth noting that the transition of Ethereum from PoW to PoS may cause the price of ETH to appreciate because of the much lesser environmental impact of PoS models. This may create greater opportunities for those trading Ethereum vs Solana.
Transaction Costs
In many ways, Ethereum has become a victim of its own success. Attracting more users onto its network has created bottlenecks and a crowded platform. This has caused transaction costs (also known as gas fees) to increase as miners prioritise those who are willing to pay the most. Ethereum 2.0 will go some way to addressing these issues by adopting the PoS consensus mechanism but, turning to Ethereum vs Solana, SOL’s PoH is still likely to be superior in terms of transaction times and fees.
Pros Of Ethereum For Traders
- Despite competitors like Solana, Ethereum is still considered a leader in the DeFi and the NFT markets
- Ethereum 2.0 and the transition to PoS is likely to improve transaction times and reduce transaction costs
- ETH has a significantly higher market cap than SOL, which can mean lower volatility, though all cryptos are quite volatile
Pros Of Solana For Traders
- Opportunities to earn yield through staking
- Quicker transaction times and lower fees is a strong selling point for Solana (vs Ethereum)
- SOL has seen fast growth and the blockchain could take a dominant position in the DeFi industry in the future
Security
In July 2016, the Ethereum blockchain was hacked, resulting in $50 million of funds being stolen. This led to a split of Ethereum Classic (ETC) and Ethereum.
As with all networks, much of the talk around Ethereum vs Solana concerns security and the integrity of the platforms. However, Solana has not avoided negative publicity; in September 2021, it suffered a denial-of-service (DoS) attack which resulted in the price of SOL plunging.
Accepted Countries
Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum vs Solana can be traded from around the world, although some countries have imposed restrictions or made the use of cryptocurrencies illegal. Traders deciding on Ethereum vs Solana should check whether any restrictions apply in their country.
Ethereum Vs Solana Verdict
Talk of new rivals to the Ethereum network is not particularly new. However, Solana has pioneered a genuinely innovative concept, PoH, which, despite its youth, has been seen to produce much faster transaction times and lower fees. The true success of PoH could be a game-changer in the Ethereum vs Solana debate. SOL is certainly looking attractive to investors, though Ethereum is still considered the dominant player in the DeFi space and ETH has seen strong gains of its own.
FAQs
What Is Ethereum 2.0?
Ethereum 2.0 is an upgrade to the Ethereum network that is taking place in several phases over 2021 and 2022. The objective of the upgrade is to improve speed and lower fees on the network by transitioning to a proof-of-stake model and it could redefine the Ethereum vs Solana debate.
Is It Safe Trading Ethereum Vs Solana?
What Is Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain technology is a type of database where all transactions are chronologically recorded and publicly available, with all users needing to agree before new blocks (data) is added through a consensus mechanism. Whether it’s Ethereum vs Solana or Polkadot vs Bitcoin, blockchain technology and consensus models are key considerations.
What Are Proof Of Work And Proof Of Stake?
Proof-of-work is the traditional blockchain consensus mechanism, which involves miners solving mathematical puzzles to add new blocks and earn rewards. Proof-of-stake is where a particular validator is chosen to forge the new block using randomisation, rather than miners competing against each other. It’s a key differentiation when looking at Ethereum vs Solana.
Why Does Solana Have Fast Transaction Times?
The principal reason behind Solana’s fast transaction times is its proof-of-history consensus mechanism, which allows transactions to be quickly verified between two events, creating a more efficient process.