How to Buy Solana (SOL): Exchanges, Fees and Steps
Solana is a fast layer-1 blockchain built for low-cost transactions; SOL is used to pay fees and to stake.
Page updated 1 Oct 2026. Exchange fees checked 30 Sep 2026.
Where to buy Solana (SOL)
These are the exchanges we link to. Listings and supported countries differ, so search for SOL in the exchange's spot markets before you deposit. The table further down compares their fees.
MEXC
Spot and futures exchange with a wide range of listed tokens
Buy SOL on MEXCMEXC fees and sign-up guide
Bybit
Derivatives exchange with copy trading and trading bots
Buy SOL on BybitBybit fees and sign-up guide
These are referral links: we may earn a commission from the exchange if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Any fee discount or promotion for referred users is set by the exchange and can change. Trading crypto carries a high risk of loss; see our risk disclaimer.
How to buy Solana step by step
- 1
Choose an exchange and sign up with a referral link
Pick one of the exchanges above and use its button on this page so the referral is applied. Each exchange has its own fees, features and country restrictions; its guide page explains what to check.
- 2
Secure the account
Confirm your email or phone, set a strong password you do not use anywhere else, and turn on two-factor authentication.
- 3
Complete identity verification if asked
Most exchanges require verification (KYC) for withdrawals or higher limits. The rules vary by exchange and by country, so check them before you deposit.
- 4
Add funds
Deposit crypto you already own, for example USDT, or use a card, bank transfer or P2P option if the exchange offers one in your country. These on-ramps usually cost more than a spot order, so compare the total cost.
- 5
Open the SOL/USDT spot market
Search for SOL in the spot markets. If the pair is not listed on that exchange, pick a different exchange rather than buying through another route.
- 6
Choose the order type
A limit order waits at the price you set and, when it rests on the order book, is usually charged the lower maker rate. A market order fills immediately and is charged the taker rate. Check the fee shown before you confirm.
- 7
Confirm and check your balance
Once the order fills, the SOL appears in your spot balance. Start with a small amount while you learn how the exchange works.
- 8
Optional: withdraw to your own wallet
Withdraw SOL on the Solana network only. Keep a small amount of SOL in any wallet you use, because every token transfer and app interaction on Solana needs SOL to pay the fee.
Fees for buying SOL
Spot trading fees are set by the exchange and your account tier, not by the coin, so the same rates apply whether you buy SOL or another spot pair.
| Exchange | Spot maker | Spot taker | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 0%regular users | 0.05%regular users | Sign up |
| Bybit | 0.1%non-VIP | 0.1%non-VIP | Sign up |
| Bitget | 0.1%base rate | 0.1%base rate | Sign up |
| OKXNot confirmed | Fee schedule | Fee schedule | Sign up |
| KCEXNot confirmed | Fee schedule | Fee schedule | Sign up |
Base rates for regular (non-VIP) accounts, read from each exchange's own fee pages on 30 Sep 2026; each figure links to its source. A maker order adds liquidity to the order book (a limit order that waits), a taker order removes it (a market order). Fees change and depend on your tier, pair and any promotion, so check the exchange's current fee schedule before you trade. We could not confirm OKX or KCEX's figures on their own pages, so none are quoted for them.
About Solana (SOL)
- Mainnet beta
- March 2020
- Creator
- Anatoly Yakovenko
- Consensus
- Proof-of-stake with Proof of History
- Supply
- No fixed cap; issuance schedule declines over time
- Smart contracts
- Yes (programs, not EVM-based)
- Fees paid in
- SOL
What it is
Solana is a layer-1 blockchain designed for high transaction throughput and very low fees. Anatoly Yakovenko, a former Qualcomm engineer, published the design in 2017 and the main network (mainnet beta) launched in March 2020. It is used for DeFi, NFTs, payments and the trading of new meme tokens.
Background
Solana grew quickly in 2021 during the NFT and DeFi boom. The 2022 collapse of FTX, which had held a lot of SOL and supported the ecosystem, hit the price and the community hard. The network has also suffered several outages in its earlier years. It recovered and became one of the busiest chains for retail trading, including the wave of Solana-based meme coins.
How it works
Solana combines proof-of-stake with Proof of History, a cryptographic clock that helps validators agree on the order of transactions without waiting on each other. Transactions on non-overlapping accounts can run in parallel. There is no fixed supply cap; new SOL is issued under a schedule that is designed to decline over time and is paid to stakers.
What people use it for
SOL pays transaction fees and is staked to secure the network. Wallets such as Phantom and Solflare connect to DeFi apps, NFT marketplaces and token launch platforms. Stablecoins are widely used on Solana for cheap transfers. Because transactions cost very little, it is popular for frequent small trades.
Background facts are general reference information, not market data. Check the project's own documentation for current details.
What can move the price of SOL
Nobody can predict the price of Solana, and we publish no targets. These are the factors that have tended to matter, in no particular order:
- Activity in the ecosystem: DeFi, NFTs, payments and meme-token trading all bring fees and demand.
- Network reliability. Past outages hurt confidence, so stability news matters.
- Staking demand and how much SOL is being issued as rewards.
- Competition from other layer-1 and layer-2 networks.
- Large holders and funds buying or selling.
- General crypto-market direction and risk appetite.
Not financial advice. This page is education, not a recommendation to buy or sell anything, and it contains no price forecasts: nobody can predict crypto prices. Crypto is volatile and you can lose everything you put in. Only use money you can afford to lose, and do your own research.
Solana FAQ
How do I buy Solana (SOL)?
Where can I buy Solana?
Which exchange has the lowest fee for SOL?
Can I buy Solana with a card or bank transfer?
Do I need to verify my identity to buy SOL?
How should I store Solana after buying it?
Is Solana the same as Ethereum?
Is Solana a good investment?
Ready to buy SOL?
Pick an exchange, check its fees and country rules, and start with a small amount.
MEXC
Spot and futures exchange with a wide range of listed tokens
Buy SOL on MEXCMEXC fees and sign-up guideBybit
Derivatives exchange with copy trading and trading bots
Buy SOL on BybitBybit fees and sign-up guideThese are referral links: we may earn a commission from the exchange if you sign up through them, at no extra cost to you. Any fee discount or promotion for referred users is set by the exchange and can change. Trading crypto carries a high risk of loss; see our risk disclaimer.