What Is Solar (SXP): An Accessible, DPoS-Powered Blockchain

Swipe was used as a payment system around the world by individuals and entities. In fact, Binance was among the few platforms that relied on Swipe to process payments. After Binance acquired Swipe in July 2020, it launched the Solar blockchain. This energy-efficient blockchain is driven by its own community, and it may one day be as widely used as the Ethereum and Solana blockchain networks.

Key Takeaways:

• Swipe was rebranded to Solar after it was acquired by Binance in July 2020.
• Solar blockchain is focusing on Layer 1, an open-source blockchain with DAO governance to help developers launch new projects in a more scalable environment without exorbitant fees.
• Solar's native coin (SXP) is used within the ecosystem for transactions and holders of SXP can have voting power to select new delegates and the rights to pass new governance proposals.

What Is Solar Network?

Solar is more than a blockchain network: it’s a peer-to-peer, decentralized payment network system that uses SXP coins. In addition, Solar functions as a Layer 1, open-source blockchain with DAO governance and a proof of stake (PoS) mechanism. It also has a Side Ledger Protocol that allows fungible and non-fungible tokens and decentralized applications (DApps) to be created with considerable efficiency. This aspect of its functionality is easy enough for even beginners to take advantage of. While many aspects of Solar are already in full use, Solar’s developers continue to work hard at elevating the network’s functionality and usability. For example, the Solar Metaverse and the Solar Launchpad are in development.

How Does Solar Secure Its Network?

Users who produce blocks on the Solar network are called Delegates. These Delegates use SXP and a voting system to secure the network. A voting process is used to select the 53 Delegates, and voting takes place in users’ Solar wallets. The selected Delegates maintain and secure the network, and are paid through transaction fees and block rewards. The specific amounts of the fees and rewards are based on each Delegate’s ranking. In addition, every Delegate is a node, and can submit one block in eight seconds. While this is somewhat slower than Solana’s block submission time, it’s notably faster than that of Ethereum and Bitcoin.

What Problems Is Solar Trying to Solve?

While blockchain users have several top choices like Ethereum, Polygon and more, the more established networks have a few downsides that limit users’ access and functionality. For example, creating and launching tokens and applications have thus far been complicated processes that require a high level of experience and knowledge. These processes are also associated with high fees, which put them out of reach for some users. The Solar crypto network has been specifically developed so that even relatively inexperienced developers can create and launch their tokens and applications without paying exorbitant transaction fees.

What Are SXP Coins Used For?

The Solar blockchain functions using its native coin, SXP. This is the blockchain’s exclusive governance and utility token. Users who hold SXP in their Solar wallets have voting power to select new Delegates and to pass new governance proposals. In addition, all transaction fees for activities on the Solar blockchain are paid using SXP.

Key Features of Solar

The principle behind cryptocurrencies is rooted in concepts like decentralization and security. When Solar’s developers started working on this blockchain, they embraced these original concepts as they created its many features. 

What are Solar’s established features, and what’s currently in development?

Solar Wallet

One of the functionalities of the Solar wallet is to store SXP coins. In addition, users can create their new tokens or applications directly in the wallet through a simplified process. As an alternative to developing tokens and applications in the wallet, users can create using a SDK. The Solar wallet is also where users can place their votes for new Delegates. Wallets are accessible via mobile and desktop applications.

Metaverse

Solar developers have plans to launch the Solar Metaverse, which can dramatically enhance the user experience and minting functionality. However, because the Solar Metaverse is still in development, only some of its specific features and benefits are currently known in detail. In the Solar Metaverse, transaction fees will be paid in SXP coins. A related marketplace will also be available for selling NFT collectibles.

Launchpad

The Solar Launchpad is currently still in development. Those who wish to launch their applications and tokens on Solar will easily be able to do so through this feature. There will be a fee for using Launchpad, estimated to range between 10 and 1,000 SXP. Users will be able to take advantage of optional auditing and KYC authentication for their projects.

Solar Side Ledger Protocol

This innovative protocol supports the fast and simplified development of Solar-based non-fungible tokens and ERC-20 tokens. Users are responsible for paying creation transaction fees with SXP.

Solar Core

The Solar ecosystem is heavily based on the Solar Core. The delegated proof of stake Solar Core is part of the ARK blockchain. Like the ARK blockchain, it is modular, decentralized, fast and sustainable. However, the Solar Core differs from ARK in that it exclusively provides enhanced user privacy through Schnorr signatures.

SXP Tokenomics

The max supply of SXP tokens is not identified yet for both the BEP-20 and ERC-20 tokens.  Roughly 50 million SXP are held in the founder’s wallet, and the treasury’s smart contracts hold another 40.8 million SXP. The circulating supply of SXP is 556.94 million as of Mar 20. The current SXP coin price as of Mar 20, 2023, is $0.29. Over the last 24 hours, the spot volume was $7.11 million. 

Pros

The Solar blockchain has specifically been developed to make the creation and launch of NFTs, fungible tokens and applications far more accessible than what other major blockchains offer. Established blockchains may be prohibitive for some users because of their expensive fees and need for expert-level development knowledge. Solar stands out from these other options by providing several important benefits.

Easy and Efficient

The benefits of creating NFTs and applications are tremendous, but creators generally need to have extensive knowledge to do so on most blockchains. Moreover, the creation process can be tedious and time-consuming. Creation on Solar can be completed in the user’s Solar wallet, or with SDK. The creation process has been dramatically simplified, compared to that of other blockchains, which gives accessibility to all creators regardless of their experience level.

Low Service Fees

Creating decentralized tokens and applications can be cost-prohibitive on some blockchains, but this isn’t the case with Solar. As mentioned, NFTs — as well as fungible tokens — are created in a user’s Solar wallet, or via an SDK. Solar has established low fees for launching tokens through its network. A user may only spend five SXP coins to create and launch a new token, which optimizes accessibility for a much larger audience.

The Deflationary SXP Coin

Solar has been designed with a deflationary coin that uses a burning mechanism. All of the fees paid by developers to launch their new tokens are burned. Because of this, the Solar SXP coin supply decreases as more tokens and applications launch. In addition, all transaction fees related to Solar’s incipient Metaverse and Launchpad will be burned.

Cons

While Solar is specifically designed to overcome some of the problems currently existing on top blockchains, it’s not perfect. After getting more familiar with the standout differences between Solar and other leading blockchains, you’ll notice that it falls behind in some areas.

Block Submission Time

Working as nodes, Solar’s Delegates can each submit a single block for each round. As mentioned, the submission time for this process is eight seconds. This is superior to the transaction time on popular blockchains such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, but Solar doesn’t have the fastest submission time. Solana continues to maintain its top status in this area.

Not All Features Are Available

Solar officially launched in Mar 2022 with some of its primary features online. These include the Solar wallet, the Solar Core infrastructure and the Solar Side Ledger Protocol (SLP). However, several of the features that will enhance the usability and functionality of the platform are still in development. These include the NFT marketplace, Metaverse and Launchpad. Once these features are brought online, Solar may be better positioned to fully compete against other popular blockchains.

Is Solar (SXP) a Good Investment?

Solar SXP tokens are limited in supply thanks to the network’s burning mechanism. SXP that are paid in transaction fees for creating and launching digital assets are burned in full. As Solar is used more heavily, more coins will be burned. Because new coins aren’t being created, the deflationary pressure on SXP will likely result in a higher coin price.

SXP can be purchased through several exchanges, and it can also be earned by Delegates through their various activities. In addition, Delegates are able to distribute their tokens to users’ wallets, for example to encourage continued use of the blockchain. In these ways, both users and Delegates have access to more SXP without needing to purchase. There may also be financial benefits associated with using SXP to create applications and tokens. 

How to Buy SXP on Bybit

As the native token of Solar, SXP is the only way to pay transaction fees and access all of Solar’s features and functions. While you may receive SXP rewards as a Delegate, or if a Delegate disburses their rewards, buying SXP is essential for the initial use of the blockchain. 

Whether you’re just getting started with Solar or you want to increase your supply of SXP, you can conveniently purchase the Solar crypto coin, SXP, on exchanges like Bybit. As one of the leading exchanges, Bybit supports numerous trading pairs, with fast transaction processing and competitive fees.

To buy SXP on Bybit, you’ll need to sign up for a Bybit account and connect your wallet. After your wallet is connected, you can start using Bybit to make your desired purchases.

Trade SXPUSDT on Bybit Spot

Closing Thoughts

As a decentralized network that supports peer-to-peer payment processing, Solar offers community governance, greater accessibility than many alternatives and exciting features planned for the near future. While some aspects of Solar are still pending, its current features make it faster, easier and more affordable, even for inexperienced users, to create and launch digital assets. Solar is powered by SXP, so you’ll need to purchase SXP tokens on an exchange before making and launching applications on Solar. By taking advantage of the low price of SXP coins today, you can easily start putting Solar’s great features to work.