Solana remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Since its launch, it has attracted attention from individual investors, developers, and major crypto companies. This makes it useful to understand who has had the greatest historical exposure to SOL and where to buy the coin.
This article covers three of the most influential holders and figures connected to early Solana allocations. Since blockchain addresses do not always reveal their beneficial owners, the analysis focuses on publicly reported wallets, official token allocation data, and documented institutional purchases.
We also compare Paybis, MoonPay, and Kraken as platforms where users can purchase SOL with a credit card. The comparison covers fees, payment methods, geographic availability, localization, Trustpilot ratings, and regulatory licences. Investors can also buy Solana with a debit card where supported.
Who Are the Biggest Solana Holders in History?
There is no official list connecting every large Solana wallet to a specific person. Some of the largest addresses belong to exchanges, staking services, foundations, corporate treasuries, or unidentified owners.
Therefore, the following figures should not be treated as the three largest current SOL wallets. They are included because of their early access to Solana and their historical influence on the ecosystem.
1. Anatoly Yakovenko
Anatoly Yakovenko is the creator of Solana and a co-founder of Solana Labs, the company that oversees the development of the blockchain. He is also the developer of the Proof-of-History (PoH) consensus algorithm, one of the keys to Solana’s success.
It is impossible to understand what Solana (SOL) is without discussing Yakovenko’s role in creating and launching the project.
Given his position as creator and CEO, he is not only one of the wealthiest, thanks to his early accumulation, but also one of the most influential holders of Solana.
A wallet that allegedly belongs to Yakovenko holds over 136 thousand SOL. By early February, this is worth over $13.6 million.
Other holdings include his share in Solana Labs. However, this amount is not disclosed, and there is no evidence of another wallet used by Yakovenko to store his SOL.
2. Raj Gokal
Raj Gokal is a co-founder of Solana Labs, along with Anatoly Yakovenko, and currently acts as Chief Operating Officer (COO). As such, he is almost as important as Yakovenko regarding the development and trajectory of Solana.
While there are allegations about the COO’s wallet, there is no proof about Gokal’s holdings. His allocations may be similar to Yakovenko’s, as both have been directly involved with the development of Solana since the beginning.
Although an exact amount is unknown, what’s clear is that Raj Gokal has also been a primary influence in the Solana ecosystem, thanks to his long-term collaboration to make the project work.
3. Sam Bankman-Fried
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-defunct exchange FTX and trading firm Alameda Research, was a big enthusiast of Solana since its early days.
During his trials, he admitted to having used Alameda Research’s operating profits to buy SOL early on, when the coin was trading at around $0.20.
Due to his constant support for the coin and investment in numerous projects in the Solana ecosystem, Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX’s image were closely associated with SOL.
When FTX declared bankruptcy in November 2022, SOL was already trading 95% below its ATH. But the exchange’s collapse had a negative impact on Solana’s reputation at the time, and the price fell by around 50% in a month. The Solana community, however, has already grown out of this link, and it is again a thriving ecosystem.
It’s important to take into account that the SOL held by Sam Bankman-Fried was subject to legal proceedings, so he is not one of the biggest holders.
However, he did have a great historical influence at a time when the project was starting to position itself in the crypto market. At its peak, Bankman-Fried owned around 60 million SOL, which would be worth over $6.1 billion at today’s price of ~$100.
Top 3 Platforms to Buy Solana with a Credit Card
The following platforms support SOL purchases using credit or debit cards in eligible regions. Their fees and available payment methods may vary depending on the user’s country, fiat currency, purchase amount, and verification status.
1. Paybis
Paybis takes first place because it provides a direct way to purchase Solana with a credit or debit card. Users can select SOL, enter a purchase amount, choose Visa or Mastercard, and receive the purchased tokens in a compatible wallet.
The platform supports cards in more than 50 fiat currencies, along with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Skrill, Revolut Pay, bank transfers, and regional payment methods.
The first purchase has zero Paybis commission, while the complete fee breakdown and final amount of SOL are displayed before payment is confirmed.
Paybis operates in more than 180 countries and holds a MiCA CASP licence and Payment Institution licence in Latvia. It is also registered with FinCEN in the US, FINTRAC in Canada, and as a VASP in Poland. Its current Trustpilot rating is 4.1/5.
2. MoonPay
MoonPay is a crypto on-ramp that is integrated into many wallets and Web3 applications. Users can buy Solana through MoonPay using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or several regional bank-transfer methods.
Card and alternative-payment fees can reach 4.5%, while bank-transfer fees can reach 1%. MoonPay may also apply a minimum fee, blockchain network fee, partner ecosystem fee, and a spread included in the displayed SOL price. The final cost should therefore be checked before completing an order.
MoonPay supports purchases in more than 150 countries and holds or maintains regulatory registrations in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, the EEA, and several US states. It has a Trustpilot rating of 4.1/5.
3. Kraken
Kraken is a full cryptocurrency exchange rather than only a fiat-to-crypto on-ramp. It may be suitable for users who want to purchase SOL and later access spot trading, recurring purchases, staking, or other exchange tools.
According to Kraken’s Solana buying guide, credit and debit card purchases are available to verified users in supported countries.
Cards must be issued in the same legal name as the Kraken account and support 3D Secure. Credit-card availability is regional, and US customers can currently use debit cards only.
Kraken Instant Buy applies a 1% trading fee, an additional payment fee, and a variable spread. The platform has broad international availability, supports 28 website languages, and operates under licences or registrations in the EEA, UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Its current Trustpilot rating is 3.2/5.
Ready to Buy Your First Solana Using a Credit Card?
Solana remains one of the largest and most actively used crypto assets. However, its market capitalization, trading volume, and ranking can change as the SOL price moves. Investors should therefore avoid relying only on a temporary market position when deciding whether to buy.
Paybis, MoonPay, and Kraken all provide ways to purchase Solana with a card, but they have different fees, payment methods, geographic restrictions, and regulatory coverage. Before confirming a transaction, compare the complete amount charged and the amount of SOL that will arrive in your wallet.
Buying SOL with a credit card can make the process faster, but it does not remove the risks connected to cryptocurrency volatility. Every purchase should be evaluated according to the investor’s budget, risk tolerance, and personal investment goals.
