Solana at a Turning Point: FTX-Related Sales Near Completion
By Patrick Krauss, April 17, 2026
Solana, one of the leading blockchain networks, appears to be approaching a significant turning point in its recent history. Since the collapse of FTX in 2022, the Solana market has been under continuous selling pressure due to court-ordered liquidations of Alameda Research’s holdings. This prolonged forced selling has suppressed Solana’s price for years, but new data indicate that this phase is gradually coming to an end.
Ongoing Selling Pressure from FTX Liquidations
Few cryptocurrencies have endured a comparable situation to that of Solana. As part of FTX’s insolvency proceedings, large amounts of SOL tokens have been systematically liquidated to satisfy creditors. Rather than dumping the tokens all at once, sales were carefully spread out in smaller batches to avoid market shocks.
A significant portion of these tokens did not hit the open market directly; many were transferred through over-the-counter (OTC) deals or market makers in an attempt to mitigate severe price declines. Despite these efforts, a persistent oversupply weighed down the market throughout this period.
Crypto analyst MartyParty recently highlighted the significance of the approaching conclusion of these liquidations on social media, noting that the prolonged FTX/Alameda bankruptcy liquidation process has been a notable drag on $SOL prices for years.
Current Status: The End Is in Sight
As of mid-April 2026, Alameda Research’s bankruptcy estate still holds approximately 3.5 to 3.57 million SOL tokens, valued at roughly $300 million at the current price near $86.70 per SOL. The liquidation process continues at a measured pace; for instance, about 198,000 SOL—worth around $16 million—were distributed to creditors in mid-April. A similar volume was transferred in March, reflecting an orderly schedule.
These monthly distributions form part of a structured plan designed to avoid flooding the market and causing drastic selloffs, while addressing outstanding creditor claims, which presently total around $5.1 billion.
When Will This Selling Pressure End?
If the current pace of liquidation remains stable, the remaining Alameda-held SOL tokens are expected to be fully divested within the next twelve months. This implies that by the end of 2026, the structural selling pressure that has subdued Solana’s price could largely dissipate.
For investors and market watchers, this is a crucial development. A large, ongoing seller insensitive to market conditions acts like a ceiling on price appreciation. The disappearance of this overhang could enable freer price discovery aligned more closely with Solana’s fundamentals.
Solana’s Fundamentals Remain Strong
Despite years of this artificial selling pressure, Solana’s underlying network continues to demonstrate remarkable strength. In the first quarter of 2026, Solana’s transactional volume reached an all-time high of approximately $1.1 trillion — surpassing the throughput of many other prominent blockchain networks.
This robust activity evidences healthy demand for Solana’s infrastructure and services, independent of the volatile selling pressures.
Market Implications: Potential for a Price Rebound
Markets that have been suppressed for extended periods often react sharply once the external pressure eases. Many investors are now speculating that as the forced sales wind down, price movements will increasingly reflect genuine demand, capital inflows, and network usage.
Additionally, anticipation of the end of selling activity can itself drive upward momentum due to a phenomenon known as “frontrunning,” where market participants buy in advance of expected positive shifts.
Conclusion: A Structural Turning Point for Solana
Solana is likely entering a pivotal phase marked by the tapering off of FTX and Alameda liquidation sales. Coupled with the network’s record-breaking usage statistics, this could shift market focus back onto Solana’s fundamental value propositions.
If these trends continue, the crypto community may witness a more dynamic and sustained price recovery, making late 2026 a potentially exciting period for Solana holders and observers alike.
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Stay tuned for more updates on Solana and the broader cryptocurrency market.
About the Author:
Patrick Krauss is a cryptocurrency journalist specializing in market news and platform analysis. He regularly contributes to Cryptonews, providing in-depth coverage of blockchain industry developments.
Market Data Snapshot (April 17, 2026):
- Bitcoin (BTC): $76,122.32 (-2.20%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $2,356.42 (-3.54%)
- Solana (SOL): $86.70 (-3.52%)
- PEPE: $0.0000038 (-5.24%)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB): $0.0000061 (-4.46%)
- Binance Coin (BNB): $633.58 (-1.53%)
- Dogecoin (DOGE): $0.095 (-4.90%)
- Ripple (XRP): $1.44 (-3.85%)
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