Ethereum (ETH) vs Solana (SOL)

Ethereum is the pioneer in the field of distributed and programmable blockchains. Launched in 2015, this project forever revolutionized the world of cryptocurrencies by introducing the concept of smart contracts, a computer protocol that allows for the programming of complex operations on a blockchain. These have enabled the creation of decentralized applications that have led to the emergence of new sectors including NFTs, DeFi, DAOs, Web3, and many others. Initially designed on a Proof of Work mechanism, Ethereum underwent a major change in 2022 by migrating to a Proof of Stake consensus. At the heart of this ecosystem, ETH is the native cryptocurrency and is used to pay transaction fees, reward validators, and contribute to the governance of the project.

Solana is a distributed and programmable layer 1 blockchain, part of the trend of "Ethereum Killers," which are competitors of Ethereum looking to replace it. Solana's unique design (notably through the Proof of History consensus) allows it to be optimized for scalability, with an exceptional (and theoretical) execution capacity of 60,000 transactions per second and extremely low fees. SOL is the native cryptocurrency of the Solana network, used to pay transaction fees, reward validators, and contribute to the governance of the project.