Part 1: Introduction
Solana was built to answer a simple but pressing question: Can a blockchain operate at the speed and scale of the internet? Since its mainnet launch in 2020, the network has shown that it can. Today, it processes over 160 million transactions a day while keeping fees to fractions of a cent and confirmations under a second.
At the core of this performance is Proof of History, a unique cryptographic clock that records events in sequences before they are validated. Paired with Proof of Stake for security, it allows the network to agree on the order of transactions almost instantly. The result is then a single global ledger where programs and services run quickly and at scale.
With this architecture, Solana has been able to push what’s possible onchain. A remittance in stablecoins can reach a family abroad in seconds. Nonprofits are able to receive thousands of small donations without losing them to fees. Conservation groups mint ecological NFTs at minimal cost, tying digital records directly to projects on the ground. Research teams publish results and funding trails openly, creating archives that anyone can verify. Communities utilize Solana’s governance tools to vote, manage treasuries, and maintain transparency in their decision-making processes. Taken together, these examples show how speed and affordability make blockchain practical for everyday use.
In just a few years, Solana has evolved from a technical experiment into a robust, living infrastructure. The ecosystem now stretches from global institutions to grassroots initiatives. Visa and Franklin Templeton are testing settlement and tokenized funds on Solana, while independent teams are building health apps, decentralized maps, education platforms, and climate tools. Developers continue to join in record numbers, supported by approachable frameworks and a strong culture that encourages experimentation
.For those working in social or environmental impact, Solana presents a reliable, low-cost infrastructure that has already been tested across philanthropy, science, climate action, and community building. It is a foundation where ideas can move quickly from pilot to practice, and from practice to meaningful scale.
This guide introduces Solana’s technology and ecosystem in clear, practical terms, showing how its speed, affordability, and design can be applied to projects centered around social or environmental impact.
Co-Founder & CEO, Solana
Welcome to the Crypto Altruists Guide to Solana. Whether you are arriving here as a builder, a nonprofit, or simply curious about how technology can serve social good, this resource is designed to give you a clear and approachable path into the Solana ecosystem. It is both an introduction and a practical reference: what Solana is, why it matters, and how its infrastructure can support impact projects in areas such as philanthropy, climate action, education, and community governance.
Our goal is to provide enough context for mission-driven teams to see where Solana fits and how to begin exploring it for real-world use.
This work comes from C dedicated to connecting Web3 innovation with positive social and environmental outcomes. Through storytelling, research, and community building, we highlight how blockchain tools can support impact-driven work and help changemakers find the knowledge and collaborators they need. Producing this guide is part of that mission: making the technical accessible, and bridging builders with organizations seeking practical tools for good.We are grateful to Superteam
Canada and the Solana Foundation for their generous support, which made this guide possible. Their commitment to education, open knowledge, and impact-oriented development has created the space for resources like this to reach wider audiences.
The chapters ahead begin with Solana’s fundamentals: its history, core technologies, and differentiators, before moving into 11 impact case studies. Later sections highlight what builders need to know: technical basics, funding opportunities, and community resources. Finally, a partner and resource directory offers tools and connections for teams ready to start building.
