Solana network guide for SOL and token exchanges
Solana uses base58 public keys and SOL for fees. Native SOL and tokens on Solana share the chain but can use different account structures, while wrapped SOL on an EVM network is a different route.
Reviewed September 1, 2026 · Primary source linked below
Native fee asset
SOL
Asset model
SOL and Solana Program Library tokens
Network identity
SOL is Solana’s native asset. Tokens are created by programs and held through token accounts associated with a wallet owner. A user-facing wallet abstracts much of that structure, but a receiving service must still support the exact token.
Address rules
Solana wallet addresses are base58 strings without a 0x prefix. Copy them from a wallet that explicitly supports the asset on Solana. An Ethereum address cannot be used for native SOL.
Fee mechanism
Fees are paid in SOL. A token holder therefore needs SOL to send a token. Some operations can also create or use token accounts, which the wallet includes in its transaction instructions.
Settlement
Solana transactions move through processed, confirmed and finalized commitment levels. Providers choose their acceptance policy, so a wallet notification can precede exchange processing.
Memo or tag
Solana supports memo instructions, and some custodial destinations can require one. Copy a memo only when the receiving service gives it for that deposit.
Tokens and representations
Native SOL, wrapped SOL and Solana tokens have different mint or program identities. A token carrying the SOL ticker on Ethereum or BSC is not native Solana SOL.
MOST COMMON ROUTE ERROR
What usually goes wrong
Users sometimes paste an EVM 0x address because their wallet also displays a wrapped Solana asset on another chain. Another failure is holding a token but no SOL for the send fee.
CONCRETE EXCHANGE EXAMPLE
Follow both legs of the route
For SOL to USDT on Solana, the deposit is native SOL and the payout is a supported Solana USDT token balance. Both addresses are Solana-formatted, but the assets remain distinct.
BEFORE YOU SEND
Solana checklist
- Confirm Solana as the network for both wallet and exchange asset.
- Use a base58 Solana destination rather than an EVM address.
- Keep SOL available for token transfer fees.
- Check any memo supplied by a custodial destination.
SOLANA FAQ
Network-specific answers
Does a Solana token use SOL for fees?
Yes. The wallet normally needs SOL to broadcast token transactions.
Is wrapped SOL on Ethereum native SOL?
No. It is a token representation on another blockchain and needs a separate exchange route.
Why can a Solana transaction show several commitment levels?
Processed, confirmed and finalized describe increasing confidence in the transaction’s place in the ledger.
CONNECTED REFERENCE PAGES