Solana (SOL)

Solana, ranked 4th in the cryptocurrency market and denoted by the symbol SOL, is a decentralized blockchain known for its high speed, scalability, and low transaction fees. Founded in the U.S. with the Solana Foundation based in Geneva, it operates through a multi-layered structure where each layer has distinct network functionalities and each block is termed a "slot." A unique feature is its use of SHA-256 hashing for transaction security, allowing a flexible and efficient validation process where not all nodes must sync for a transaction to proceed, in contrast to Bitcoin. Key advantages include high speed, low fees, staking opportunities, and NFT support, while the primary disadvantage lies in the significant investment needed for proper hardware setup