TLDR
- Solana tops blockchain revenues in Q3 2025, earning $223M amid slowdown.
- Solana leads DeFi revenue race with $223M as total blockchain REV plunges.
- Despite market dip, Solana dominates Q3 blockchain earnings at $223M.
- Solana defies DeFi slump, securing top blockchain revenue spot in Q3 2025.
- Solana outpaces TRON and rivals with $223M in Q3 2025 blockchain revenue.
Solana has emerged as the top blockchain network in revenue for Q3 2025, according to ARK Invest’s latest DeFi report. The network generated $223 million in economic value, surpassing all other blockchains. This dominance underscores Solana’s increasing presence in the decentralized finance sector.
ARK Invest’s quarterly report provided updated data on blockchain performance, covering on-chain activity, exchanges, and stablecoins. Solana topped the chart in terms of real economic value, or REV, during the period. The report attributes the lead to Solana’s ecosystem maturity and its robust fee generation.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, the total on-chain REV has plunged 83% across all networks. The current total sits at $655 million, showing a significant market contraction. However, Solana remains resilient, maintaining consistent transaction activity and ecosystem utility.
Solana Maintains Its Dominance Amid Market Contraction
Solana continued to outperform other blockchains in Q3 2025, generating $223 million in value. This figure underscores its efficiency in sustaining on-chain usage and protocol-level earnings. Solana’s dominance in fees and applications reinforces its technical and economic edge.
Data from DeFi Llama showed that Solana earned $1.1 million in REV within 24 hours of the report’s release. The network’s total value locked rose to $11.36 billion, reflecting increased user trust. Jupiter holds the largest TVL on Solana, while Gauntlet remains the leading contributor in fees at $12.71 million.
Moreover, ARK Invest emphasized the network’s growth potential through recent investments and validator shifts. ARK moved its validator operations to SOL Strategies in July 2025. Earlier in April, it added Solana to U.S.-listed ETFs through the SOLQ staking ETF.
Tron Takes Second in Blockchain Value Rankings
The TRON network followed Solana by securing second place with $160 million in real economic value. This performance signals strong user engagement and continued smart contract activity across the chain. While trailing Solana, TRON’s REV shows it still holds a solid position in the ecosystem.
Despite the strong showing, TRON faces similar downward pressure affecting all blockchains. The broader market has seen transaction costs fall as networks optimize for lower fees. This shift, while attracting more activity, has impacted the potential for revenue generation.
Nevertheless, TRON’s consistent ranking highlights its utility in stablecoin transfers and decentralized applications. The network continues to benefit from high transaction throughput and reliability. Its role in everyday DeFi use cases remains a central reason for its revenue figures.
Overall Market Sees Decline in Real Economic Value
The Q3 report identified key factors behind the 83% drop in total blockchain REV. A sharp decline in uninformed transaction flow reduced the potential for value extraction. This flow once contributed a large share of network earnings, especially from MEV-related activity.
Blockchains have increasingly lowered their transaction costs to attract more users. While this has improved efficiency, it has reduced total fee revenues across major networks. The result is a more accessible but less profitable on-chain environment.
ARK Invest confirmed that network earnings have yet to recover from the highs of late 2021. Despite a lower total REV, strong networks like Solana and TRON continue to create real value. The report suggests that adaptability and ecosystem strength now matter more than hype-driven growth.
