SOL is the native token of the Solana blockchain.
Solana uses SOL to pay transaction fees and to support its proof-of-stake security system. Token holders can delegate SOL to validators, which participate in confirming activity and maintaining the network.
Solana was founded by Anatoly Yakovenko and launched its mainnet in 2020. The network was designed for high-throughput applications, including decentralized finance, token markets, and non-fungible-token projects. Its architecture combines proof of stake with a timing method called proof of history.
SOL is sometimes confused with similarly short cryptocurrency tickers such as XRP or XLM. The token is also commonly written as “Solana” in casual conversation, but SOL is the standard ticker symbol used by exchanges and market data services.