Solana (SOL) Emerges as Blockchain Revenue Leader While Ark Invest Expands Stake

Solana Solidifies Position as a Revenue Powerhouse

Solana (SOL) has risen to the forefront of blockchain networks, generating an impressive $223 million in revenue during the third quarter of 2025, according to Ark Invest's latest quarterly report. This achievement highlights Solana's dominance within the blockchain ecosystem and underscores its ability to create significant economic value in a highly competitive sector.

CryptoNews reported on October 14 that Ark Invest's Q3 Decentralized Finance Report evaluated several critical parameters, including on-chain activity, stablecoins, and decentralized exchanges (DEXs). The data positioned Solana as the top revenue-generating blockchain, showcasing its leadership in economic output during this period.

Solana Outpaces Tron in Blockchain Revenue

Ark Invest revealed that Solana's Q3 revenue of $223 million not only secured the top spot among blockchain networks but also placed it well ahead of competitors. Tron (TRX) ranked second, with on-chain earnings of approximately $160 million during the same period. These figures illustrate the growing revenue disparity between the two leading networks.

Blockchain Sector Sees Revenue Decline of 83% Since Peak Levels

Ark Invest's report also highlighted a significant downturn in blockchain network revenues since their zenith in Q4 2021. The total realized economic value (REV) across all blockchain networks has plummeted by an alarming 83%, from $4.9 billion to $655 million in Q3 2025.

This decline stems from two key factors: the reduction of inefficient transaction flows and intense competition to lower transaction fees. High-margin maximum extractable value (MEV) transactions previously bolstered profitability, but recent trends have seen blockchain networks focus on fee optimization and streamlined transaction processes to attract more users.

Solana’s Daily Metrics Signal Strong Growth

Solana continues to excel in daily on-chain performance, according to DeFiLlama analytics. The network generated approximately $1.1 million in 24-hour revenue, while its Total Value Locked (TVL) increased by 0.74% in a day to reach $11.36 billion.

Gauntlet led the way as the protocol generating the highest fees within the Solana ecosystem, raking in $12.71 million. Additionally, Jupiter (JUP) emerged as the platform with the largest TVL, showcasing its substantial contribution to Solana’s overall economic footprint.

Ark Invest Deepens Commitments to Solana

Ark Invest has demonstrated unwavering support for Solana by aggressively expanding its stake in the ecosystem. In September 2025, the firm participated in a $300 million funding round for Solana infrastructure company Solmate (ticker: BREA), acquiring a staggering $162 million stake. This brings Ark’s total shareholding to approximately 6.5 million BREA shares.

Earlier in July 2025, Ark transitioned the validator operations of its Digital Asset Innovation Fund to SOL Strategies, a Toronto-based Solana-focused company. The investment firm further underscored its confidence in the blockchain by launching the Solana Staking ETF (SOLQ) in April 2025, marking its first direct stake in Solana. Thanks to Ark, its ARKW and ARKF funds became the first U.S.-listed ETFs to include Solana in their holdings, setting a new precedent for blockchain investment inclusion.

Why Ark Invest Believes in Solana’s DeFi Potential

“Solana has positioned itself as the blockchain with the fastest revenue generation capabilities, thanks to its high-speed processing, ultra-low transaction fees, and thriving developer community,” reads Ark Invest's Q3 DeFi report. The firm anticipates Solana becoming a cornerstone in the decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape by 2026.

Ark's substantial investments and proactive steps within the ecosystem highlight its strong belief in Solana's potential to drive innovation across blockchain technology and solidify its role as a leader in DeFi profitability. As Solana continues to deliver on advanced economic metrics while attracting developer and investor interest, its trajectory suggests it will remain a key contributor to the growth of Web3 and decentralized financial systems.