Solana consolidates at $138: Whales are exploding capital while the derivatives market reaches $86T?

The Crypto Derivatives Market Breaks All Limits

Derivatives volumes reached all-time highs in 2025, totaling approximately $86 trillion in total transactions with an average daily volume close to $265 billion. This explosive growth reflects a fundamental shift in how market participants operate. Major exchanges concentrate most of the volume, capturing over 62% of all derivatives activity through their platforms.

What was once a market dominated by retail traders with high leverage now shows greater institutional participation. Whales are not only present: they are exploiting opportunities with sophisticated tools that the average traders still do not have. Speed and risk management are now the decisive factors between winners and those left out of the game.

Solana remains steady at $138: Rebound or temporary correction?

Solana is trading near $138.27, showing a recovery of +2.74% in the last 24 hours after maintaining the support zone of $120 for weeks. That area of $120 now functions as a clear structural demand. Recent selling movements have slowed significantly, signaling exhausted sellers rather than fresh downward pressure.

Although the overall trend still points downward, the intensity of that bearish pressure has weakened. On-chain data offers interesting clues: the volume of stablecoins on the Solana network continues to reach all-time highs, indicating increasing liquidity. Simultaneously, network revenues remain on the rise, supporting more optimistic analyses.

If the $120 level holds, a move toward $135-$140 remains likely. A strong push could extend the price up to the resistance zone at $160. However, a break below $120 would cancel this scenario and reopen significant downside risks.

The gap between retail traders and whales remains the real game

While derivatives volumes explode, the access gap to premium trading tools remains huge. For years, whales have operated with superior data and real-time analysis that are not available to most. This asymmetry is what truly defines the winners in high-volume markets.

Traders seeking to close this gap are now looking for software solutions that can process market information at the pace of institutional trading. Platforms offering real-time opportunity detection, risk filtering, and automated analysis are attracting significant capital. Some protocols have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in pre-sale phases precisely because they solve this problem.

Massive returns: the potential is no longer in the big names

With Solana operating at a market cap of $68 billion, 100x returns are no longer realistic. That potential now lies in early-stage projects that offer genuine utility but have not yet been priced by the market.

The AI narrative in crypto is growing rapidly. Global AI spending is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2026, meaning protocols connecting AI with trading are in the right market position.

Conclusion: speed and tools define the next wave

The derivatives market continues to expand, whales keep exploiting opportunities with advanced tools, and the access gap remains the true differentiator. By 2026, those who manage to close this gap by operating with real-time information will be better positioned to capitalize on volatility.

Solana remains an important asset, but the real potential for asymmetric returns lies in early-stage ecosystems that already generate real utility. The market will continue rewarding those who move quickly and operate with superior data.