The Best Right Now

If you’re dipping your toes into crypto with a modest budget like $100, the options can feel overwhelming. High-flyers like Bitcoin and Ethereum demand bigger investments for meaningful stakes, while penny cryptos scream high risk. But there’s a sweet spot in the mid-tier market where explosive potential meets accessibility. Enter Solana (SOL) – trading around $125, down 60% from its peak, making it primed for a rebound.

Why Stands Out as the Top Pick for Small Investors

Solana isn’t just another blockchain; it’s a speed demon challenging Ethereum’s dominance. Launched in 2020, it has delivered jaw-dropping returns in four of the last six years, surging over 86% each time. Picture this: a blistering 11,171% gain in 2021 and 919% in 2023. Sure, it’s volatile – crashing 94% in 2022 and down 35% year-to-date in 2025 – but that downside creates buying opportunities like today’s discount.

With $100, you could snag about 0.8 SOL directly or pivot to ETFs for easier access. Here’s why Solana could turn your small investment into a portfolio powerhouse.

Solana’s Tech Edge: Faster, Cheaper, and Scalable

What sets Solana apart? Its Layer 1 blockchain combines Proof-of-Stake with Proof-of-History, enabling lightning-fast transactions. Recent tests hit 1 million transactions per second (TPS), dwarfing Ethereum’s pre-upgrade 15-30 TPS. Even post-Dencun upgrade, Ethereum lags behind Solana’s real-world speeds.

This speed advantage shines in DeFi, NFTs, and gaming, drawing developers and users from congested networks. High-profile backers like Cathie Wood of ARK Invest hail it as an “Ethereum killer,” and migration trends back that up.

Ecosystem Boom: Beyond Hype to Real Revenue

Solana’s network generated nearly $3 billion in revenue over the past year, outpacing Ethereum at a similar stage. Trading fees dominate, but diversification into AI apps, real-world assets (RWAs), and more signals maturity. Platforms like Jupiter DEX and Drift Protocol thrive here, while memecoins add viral volume – though they spark debate.

• DeFi TVL: Over $5B locked, growing fast.
• AI Integration: Projects blending blockchain with machine learning.
• Meme Economy: Pump.fun drives activity but raises regulatory flags.

Compared to Ethereum’s slower evolution, Solana’s ecosystem feels years ahead, per reports from firms like 21Shares.

New ETFs: The Easiest Way to Buy With $100

Direct crypto buys mean wallets, exchanges, and custody risks. Enter spot Solana ETFs – now live and available in traditional brokerages like Fidelity or Schwab. These track SOL’s price with low fees (0.2-0.5%) and some offer staking yields up to 7% APY.

Top pick: Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) at ~$17/share. Your $100 buys 5-6 shares, blending price exposure with passive income. No KYC hassles, just buy like a stock.

The Risks: Volatility and Meme Coin Shadows

No sugarcoating: Solana is a rollercoaster. 2022’s FTX collapse wiped 94% off its value, and 2025’s dip ties to meme coin frenzy. Pump.fun’s dominance fuels volume but invites SEC scrutiny – could it drag SOL down?

Yet history favors bulls: Post-crashes, SOL rebounds hard. Underperformance vs. Bitcoin (down just 6% YTD) screams oversold.

How to Get Started With Your $100

1. Direct Buy: Use Binance, Coinbase, or Phantom wallet. $100 = ~0.8 SOL.
2. ETF Route: Open a brokerage, search BSOL or similar, buy shares.
3. Stake It: Earn 6-8% APY on Solana validators.
4. DCA: Dollar-cost average weekly to tame volatility.

Tools like Solana Beach track network health; CoinMarketCap for price alerts.

2026 Outlook: Doubling Potential and Beyond

With ETF inflows, Firedancer upgrade for even more speed, and DeFi expansion, Solana could easily hit $250+ next year – doubling your $100. Broader adoption in payments and AI cements its edge.

The best right now? Solana – high reward for the risk-tolerant.

Final Thoughts

Crypto thrives on asymmetry: small bets, massive upsides. Solana’s tech, growth, and accessibility make it the standout. Research, start small, and position for the next leg up. Your $100 could be the seed of something big.

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Disclaimer: Blockmanity is a news portal and does not provide any financial advice. Blockmanity's role is to inform the cryptocurrency and blockchain community about what's going on in this space. Please do your own due diligence before making any investment. Blockmanity won't be responsible for any loss of funds.