Solana is a high-performance blockchain platform designed for decentralized applications and crypto-currencies. Launched in 2020, it offers fast transaction speeds and low fees, making it a strong competitor to Ethereum. Solana uses a unique consensus mechanism called Proof of History (PoH) combined with Proof of Stake (PoS) to process thousands of transactions per second. Its scalability supports NFTs, DeFi, and Web3 apps without sacrificing security or decentralization. Despite occasional network outages, Solana remains popular among developers and investors. The native token, SOL, is used for transactions, staking, and governance, powering the ecosystem's growth and innovation.