THORChain Enables Native Solana Swaps
The cross-chain liquidity protocol THORChain has enabled native Solana swaps. Users can now trade SOL directly for native assets like BTC, ETH, AVAX, and DOGE without using wrapped tokens. The integration aims to provide deeper, non-custodial liquidity between the Solana ecosystem and other major blockchains.
- The integration was technically enabled by the implementation of the Edwards-curve Digital Signature Algorithm (EdDSA), which was added to THORChain in mid-2025, paving the way for the network to support blockchains like Solana, TON, and Cardano. - All swaps on THORChain are settled using its native RUNE token as an intermediary asset in continuous liquidity pools. For example, a trade from native BTC to SOL is executed as two swaps in the background: BTC is first swapped to RUNE, which is then swapped into SOL. - A primary strategic goal of the integration is to connect Solana's large retail and memecoin ecosystem directly with native Bitcoin liquidity, allowing users to convert gains into BTC without relying on wrapped assets or centralized exchanges. - The Solana mainnet integration was expected to launch around February 4, 2026, following approximately six weeks of testing on a "stagenet". - The rollout is being phased in gradually, with liquidity pools in an initial pilot phase. Protocol developers have advised users to begin with small swap amounts and scale up as on-chain liquidity deepens. - While valued for its decentralized infrastructure, THORChain has also become a primary tool for laundering funds from major crypto hacks. On-chain analysis revealed it was heavily used to convert stolen ETH to BTC after the Bybit and IoTeX exploits, creating a significant reputational risk for the protocol.
