Analysts Spark Ethereum–Solana Debate Over Blockchain Scale

• Ethereum still anchors most on-chain value, while Solana leads in trading volume due to faster execution and lower fees.
• Panelists rejected a winner-take-all view, saying both ETH and SOL can scale as tokenized assets drive demand.
• Institutions may rely on multiple blockchains, as no single network can support all future tokenized finance activity.

A recent CNBC segment placed Ethereum and Solana on the main stage as panelists examined which network could support future on-chain activity. The discussion featured Rob Hadick of Dragonfly. It centered on where economic value, trading flow and long-term infrastructure might develop as institutions move toward tokenization.

ETH’s Value Concentration and SOL’s Throughput

Hadick stated that Ethereum still holds most of the total value locked, which anchors the network’s economic relevance. He described Ethereum as the location where institutional value currently sits.

However, Solana now processes higher trading volume due to its faster execution and lower transaction costs. CNBC’s host referenced node counts, speed differences, and security tradeoffs while asking whether one chain holds a distinct advantage.

The segment advanced to the question of market share. The host compared the competition to early social media platforms and asked which chain resembles a dominant winner. Hadick rejected a winner-take-all view and responded that both operate like “Facebook,” not “MySpace,” due to strong demand for network capacity. He argued that blockspace needs will increase if tokenized assets grow.

Emerging Chains Enter the Conversation

The dialogue then shifted to emerging technology. Hadick pointed to Monad, described as a newer high-performance chain backed by Dragonfly. He said the network holds an estimated valuation near $2 billion while trading at a low per-token price. He emphasized that the technology remains early and the sector often launches tokens before infrastructure fully matures.

Institutions Explore Multi-Chain Infrastructure

According to the discussion, multiple blockchains could be necessary if banks and capital markets tokenize deposits or securities. Hadick referenced JPMorgan’s tokenized deposit activity and noted that other firms may use separate service providers. He concluded that no single network can scale to support all future on-chain demand, and CNBC’s panel acknowledged ongoing competition across ecosystems.