How to Buy Solana (SOL) in 2025 – Beginner’s Guide
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To buy Solana 
SOL +1.6600%, you can use major exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken. You’ll need a verified account, payment method (bank or card), and a crypto wallet. Purchases typically take minutes after account setup.
You might want SOL for its high-speed transactions, low fees, and growing DeFi/NFT ecosystem. As the sixth-largest cryptocurrency, it offers accessibility and potential for growth.
This beginner’s SOL buying guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough detailing how to buy Solana. It also covers everything from understanding the fundamentals of Solana to choosing the right exchange and securely storing your SOL tokens on crypto wallets.
What Is Solana?
- Solana is a high-speed blockchain founded in 2017 by Anatoly Yakovenko for scalable dApps and crypto projects.
- SOL ranks among the best cryptocurrencies to buy, powering major tokens like WIF and RAY with its robust infrastructure.
- SOL is the sixth-largest cryptocurrency with 588.68M tokens, a $75.43B market cap, and -42.27% yearly price change.
How to Buy Solana in 5 Easy Steps
Understanding how to buy cryptocurrency like SOL can be easy. This guide breaks it down into five simple steps for buyers in the USA or any authorized jurisdiction worldwide. You’ll learn to choose platforms, fund your account, execute trades, and securely store SOL.
1) Choose a Crypto Exchange
We’ll use eToro as the example here since it’s a trusted and user-friendly social trading platform known for its wide range of digital assets. You can select any cryptocurrency exchange or trading platform that suits your needs.
Once on the eToro homepage, click “Join eToro.”
2) Complete KYC
Once you’ve signed up using your email address, you’ll need to verify your account through the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. This involves providing personal information and verifying your identity to comply with regulatory requirements.
eToro will require you to submit a proof of address document and either a passport or a driver’s license as a form of ID.
3) Deposit Funds
Next, you’ll need to deposit funds into your eToro account. You can fund your account using various payment methods, including bank transfer, credit/debit card, or PayPal.
Select “Deposit funds” on the bottom right of the screen and follow the steps shown.
4) Choose a Solana Trading Pair
Now that your account is verified and funded, navigate to the trading section of the eToro platform and search for Solana (SOL). Choose a trading pair that suits your preferences; for example, SOL/USD is a popular choice.
After choosing a pair, you simply need to click “Trade.”
5) Buy Solana
Finally, with funds deposited and pairs selected, you can buy Solana with a credit card. Simply enter the amount of SOL you wish to purchase and execute your trade. Note that credit cards and PayPal are not available for users under UK/ FCA regulation.
Where to Buy Solana in 2025? Top Platforms
There are various exchanges you can use to buy Solana. You will need to find an exchange with low fees, easy to use, and, most importantly, secure. Many centralized exchanges (CEX) offer traders the opportunity to buy SOL; however, it can be difficult to pick the right one.
In this section, we will explore where you can go to buy Solana, reviewing three top exchanges and the benefits they will offer you.
eToro is a top choice for buying Solana due to its intuitive and social trading platform. In addition to a diverse range of cryptocurrencies, beginners will be able to mirror the trades of investors with a proven profitability track record using their copy trading feature.
With eToro, users can easily buy, sell, and trade SOL tokens while benefiting from its competitive fee structure. For crypto investing, eToro charges a 1% fee for opening and closing a transaction.
Overall, over 30 million traders are using eToro, with its platform having over 70 tradable cryptocurrencies like SOL, XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. According to CNBC, eToro plans to IPO soon.
Pros
- Competitive crypto fees
- Strong regulation and reputation
- Social and mirror trading tools
- 24/7 customer service
Cons
- $5 withdrawal fee
- $10 per month fee after 12 months of inactivity
| Features | Description |
| Fees | 1% fee for opening/closing trades |
| Security | Two-factor authentication (2FA) |
| Regulation | Regulated in US, UK, and Europe |
| USP | Social / Copy Trading |
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
2. OKX – Low Fee High Liquidity Global Exchange
OKX is another reputable crypto exchange that offers a wide range of trading pairs, including SOL. The platform has advanced trading tools, high liquidity, and strong security measures requiring all users to go through KYC.
OKX provides a reliable platform for buying and trading Solana. It currently lists over 350 cryptocurrencies, with more than 500 trading pairs on offer.
Pros
- Low fees
- Crypto wallet
- High market liquidity
- Staking
Cons
- Not available in North America
- Limited FIAT withdrawals
| Features | Description |
| Fees | 0.08% spot USDT pairs |
| Security | KYC, 2FA |
| Regulation | Mostly unregulated |
| USP | Low fees, high liquidity |
3. MEXC – Centralized Exchange with a Large Range of Markets
MEXC is a popular cryptocurrency trading platform known for its extensive selection of digital assets and new customer bonus offers. With MEXC, users can access a variety of trading pairs, including SOL, and benefit from its user-friendly interface and robust security features.
Additionally, the platform charges 0.10% for spot transactions and currently holds regulatory licenses in Australia, Canada, and Switzerland.
Pros
- Wide range of markets
- New customer bonuses
- Competitive commission
- Staking
Cons
- High withdrawal fees
| Features | Description |
| Fees | 0.10% |
| Security | 2FA, encryption, automated alerts |
| Regulation | Licensed in Australia, Canada, and Switzerland |
| USP | New customer bonuses |
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Platforms to Buy Solana
Now you have a better idea of where to buy Solana, let’s explain what factors went into our ranking of the exchanges mentioned above.
Highest Solana Trading Volume (25%)
One of the primary indicators of any reputable exchange for Solana trading is its trading volume. Exchanges with higher trading volumes typically offer better liquidity, tighter spreads, and faster order execution, providing traders with a smoother trading experience.
At the time of writing, OKX has a 24-hour Solana trading volume of $6.28 billion, making it the fifth most traded coin.
Most Solana Trading Pairs (25%)
Secondly, we looked at exchanges that offer a wide range of trading pairs for Solana, including both fiat and cryptocurrency pairs. Platforms with diverse trading pairs allow users to easily exchange Solana for other digital assets or traditional currencies, enhancing their trading experience.
Also, due to the nature of the market, this range of options provides traders with more flexibility and intraday chances to find trade opportunities.
Lowest Trading Fees (25%)
Many investors will always look to find the cheapest way to buy Solana, as such, trading fees play a significant role in determining the overall ranking of a platform. Exchanges with competitive fee structures, including low trading fees and transparent fee schedules, are preferred by traders looking to maximize their profits.
By minimizing trading costs, traders can retain a larger portion of their investment returns. One good example of this is eToro who charge a competitive fee of 1% per trade. They also charge a withdrawal fee of $5 compared to MEXC which charges 1.5 SOL for withdrawals, which is slightly more expensive.
Best Trading Experience (25%)
Finally, the overall trading experience, including platform usability, speed, reliability, and customer support, is crucial for traders when selecting an exchange for buying Solana.
Exchanges that offer intuitive interfaces, advanced trading tools, responsive customer support, and robust security measures contribute to a positive trading experience for users. eToro is one of the best exchanges on the list for trading experience. It offers a unique social trading experience with its copy trader, as well as 24/7 support.
How to Safely Store Your Solana
While keeping Solana in an exchange is convenient for trading, it means trusting a centralized third party. Your crypto is at risk if that exchange fails (like FTX did). For true ownership, move your SOL to a self-custody, Solana-compatible wallet, where you control the keys.
Wallet Types Explained:
- Hot crypto wallets, like Phantom and Solflare, are free software apps (browser/mobile). They’re convenient for frequent access and interacting with Solana dApps/NFTs, but they remain online, making them more vulnerable to hacks.
- Cold wallets (e.g., Ledger) are physical hardware devices that store your private keys offline, providing superior security against online threats. Transactions require physical confirmation on the device.
Your Recovery Phrase is the most critical information you will hold. When setting up any self-custody wallet, you’ll get a unique 12 or 24-word recovery phrase (seed phrase). This is your master key.
Never share it with anyone, ever. Write it down physically on paper or steel, and store it offline in multiple secure locations. Losing it means losing access to your funds; exposing it means someone else can steal them.
Recommended Wallets and Why:
- Phantom (Hot): The dominant Solana wallet. User-friendly, integrates seamlessly with Solana dApps/NFTs, trusted by millions. Open-source and audited.
- Solflare (Hot): Another highly reputable, open-source Solana-native wallet. Known for its clean interface and strong security focus.
- Ledger (Cold): The industry leader in hardware wallets. Stores keys offline, requires physical transaction confirmation, and supports SOL via the Solana app. Essential for significant holdings.
👉 Learn More: Solflare vs Phantom Comparison 2025
Always use a cold wallet like Ledger for large or long-term SOL holdings. Hot wallets like Phantom or Solflare are excellent for smaller, actively used amounts. Regardless of wallet type, guarding your recovery phrase with extreme diligence is non-negotiable for security. Self-custody puts you in control – and makes you responsible.
What Can You Use Solana For?
We’ve explored several options for where you can buy Solana crypto; however, what can you use it for? Solana is a versatile blockchain platform with a growing ecosystem of applications and use cases. These are important to consider when deciding if Solana is a good investment.
Paying Transaction Fees on the Solana Network
Solana’s transaction fees are microscopic, often under $0.01. Simple transfers cost fractions of a cent; complex swaps or NFT actions rarely exceed pennies. Fees use SOL, including a tiny base fee (partially burned, partially validator-compensating) plus optional priority fees during congestion to speed up processing.
This cost efficiency stems from Solana’s high-speed architecture. Unlike volatile fee models, its fees stay predictably low, enabling affordable micropayments and DeFi/NFT activity without “coffee money” costs. You pay entirely in SOL, supporting network security via a deflationary burn mechanism.
Staking to Earn More
One of the prominent use cases of Solana is staking, a process where users lock up their SOL tokens to support the network and validate transactions. In return for their contribution, stakers receive rewards in the form of additional SOL tokens.
Staking allows Solana holders to earn passive income while actively participating in the network’s security and decentralization.
Actual Solana staking yields in August 2025 typically range between 5% and 8% APY. Institutional stakers achieve around 8%, while retail delegators earn 6-8%. Regulated products like ETPs yield close to 4.8%.
Buying Meme Coins
Solana’s low fees and lightning-fast transactions make it a popular spot for collecting and trading meme coins.
If you’re curious about the best Solana meme coins, the process usually starts with getting SOL in your wallet, then connecting to a Solana-based decentralized exchange like Raydium or Jupiter. From there, you can swap SOL for the meme coin of your choice.
Since liquidity and hype can change quickly, always double-check the contract address before you buy meme coins to avoid scams.
If you’re new and want to learn how to buy Solana meme coins, start small and get familiar with using your wallet, confirming transactions, and tracking token performance.
The fun of meme coins is in the community and the memes themselves, but remember, they’re also highly volatile, so treat them as a speculative part of your portfolio.
Buying NFTs
Solana NFTs thrive on fast, low-fee transactions. Magic Eden dominates with more than $2 billion in trading volume. Top collections include Mad Lads (utility-enabled xNFTs) and Degenerate Ape Academy (ape-themed art). Buyers need a Solana wallet and SOL tokens to participate in this vibrant digital collectibles and profile picture ecosystem.
The market surged in mid-2025, boosted by events like the Solana Breakpoint conference and whale activity. While innovation grows, risks like volatility and scams persist. Always verify projects before purchasing, as values fluctuate significantly even for popular collections.
Hold SOL Long-Term as an Investment
Holding SOL long-term means betting on Solana’s tech. It’s fast with very low fees, and more apps are using it. Big companies are interested too. More validators and locked funds show the network is growing strong.
But SOL is risky. Regulators might step in. Ethereum is bigger, and Solana had outages before. To succeed, it needs to keep improving. Only use money you can lose — crypto prices change fast.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform to buy Solana depends on various factors, including trading volume, trading pairs, fees, and overall trading experience. By considering these factors and conducting thorough research, you will likely select an exchange that best suits your needs and preferences.
We recommend eToro as the best place to buy Solana, with low fees and a competitive range of assets. Its social and copy-trading platform is perfect for beginners who want to buy Solana for the first time.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
FAQs
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