The Solana Foundation recently launched two new tools to facilitate the integration of Web3 capabilities into mainstream platforms and the adoption of blockchain. 

In a series of social media posts, the foundation launched “Actions” and “Blockchain Links” (Blinks), which, according to the announcement, is a step forward in allowing developers to build blockchain functionality into websites and social media platforms.

Alongside these developments, the Solana ecosystem continues to expand its tooling and services, with notable advancements in transaction cost reduction and network efficiency.

Actions, one of the newly introduced tools, allows users to engage in Web3-native transactions, including asset transfers, non-fungible token (NFT) interactions, voting, betting, and tipping content creators. 

Complementing Actions, Blinks allows developers to format any Action into a shareable link, transforming websites and social media platforms into practical entry points for blockchain interactions. 

These tools reportedly provide an important bridge between traditional web applications and decentralized finance (DeFi), facilitating the integration of blockchain capabilities into everyday digital experiences.

In addition, to optimize transaction costs, Light Protocol and Helius Labs recently launched a testnet for ZK Compression on the Solana network. ZK Compression uses zero-knowledge proofs and call data to reduce the cost of transactions on the network. 

By minimizing the amount of on-chain data stored, ZK Compression enables considerable fee savings by reducing the computational demand of Solana transactions. 

Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius Labs, estimates that ZK Compression can cut the cost of airdropping tokens to one million users on Solana from $260,000 to just $50, providing a compelling, cost-efficient solution. Mumtaz further stated:

example cost difference: take an airdrop to 1,000,000 users. This today would cost over $260,000 for state alone. Now, it’s $50 — 5,200x cheaper. But a token account is just one example of this — *everything* on Solana is an account, meaning everything can be scaled.

While ZK Compression has garnered praise for its cost-saving potential, critics from the Ethereum community argue that it functions as a Layer 2 (L2) solution, contrary to Solana’s anti-Layer 2 ethos. 

Some skeptics contend that ZK Compression essentially operates as an L2 feature or a validity-based rollup. Adam Cochran, VP of Operations at SBT Partners, stated that ZK Compression is an L2 solution. 

In response, Anatoly Yakovenko, Solana’s co-founder, highlighted that ZK Compression addresses many issues commonly associated with Ethereum-based L2 solutions. 

Yakovenko emphasized its independence from security council multisigs, chain ID switches, governance tokens, and external sequencers while ensuring Solana validators receive transaction fees.

SOL experienced a temporary dip on Monday, with its price reaching a low of $122. However, crypto analyst “Skew A” has examined SOL’s 4-hour chart and pointed out its rebound, surpassing the recovery of other large tokens. 

According to “Skew A,” specific factors need to be considered when assessing SOL’s potential uptrend and price recovery. Firstly, SOL’s price movement above the 1-day 200MA (Moving Average) is a positive signal. 

This suggests the token’s value is trending above the average price over the past 200 days, indicating a potentially bullish sentiment. Furthermore, confirmation of SOL’s upward trend would involve observing higher highs (HH) above $150.

In the past 24 hours, SOL has notably recovered with a 9% increase, bringing its current trading price to $138. This upward movement positions the token favorably as it aims to surpass key resistance levels on its path toward consolidating above the significant milestone of $200.

To reach the $200 mark, SOL must overcome and successfully breach major resistance walls at $150, $162, $174, and $186. These levels represent significant hurdles that must be surpassed before potentially breaking through the crucial $200 threshold.

It remains to be seen whether the ongoing momentum and positive developments within the Solana ecosystem will sustain SOL’s current recovery and enable it to retest the higher price levels achieved in recent months.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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