With Solana's Total Value Locked (TVL) surpassing $35 billion, the "airdrop season" is heating up. Explore expert-backed analysis on the top ten most promising protocols to position yourself for the 2026 distributions.
In December 2025, the Solana blockchain is cementing its status as an alternative leader with frenzied on-chain activity. The massive injection of liquidity has propelled the DeFi ecosystem to new heights, creating fertile ground for yield farming and point accumulation strategies within the framework of an airdrop. Unlike the previous cycle, current projects favor more robust economic models, seeking to attract sustainable liquidity rather than mercenary capital.
In this context of a mature bull run, several protocols stand out for their technological innovation and the imminence of their TGE (Token Generation Event).
The lending and leverage sector is undergoing a major transformation. Leading the charge, Hylo is redefining standards with its liquidation-free leverage model. This feature is crucial for investors looking to amplify their SOL exposure without fearing the brutal market volatility. With a confirmed airdrop for Q1 2026, the “loop” strategies via hyUSD are particularly attracting whales seeking stable yield.
Meanwhile, Loopscale and OnRe are modernizing lending by integrating on-chain order books. This approach offers an alternative to traditional AMMs, enabling fixed rates and better capital efficiency. For the OnRe airdrop, the incentives are aggressive with a points system favoring active liquidity providers, signaling an imminent token distribution.
Take advantage of our exceptional Black Friday offer: 50% discount on a Ledger wallet with our link here:
The decentralized exchange (DEX) segment remains the beating heart of speculation.
For investors seeking to mitigate directional risk, Solstice and Ranger offer innovative solutions. Solstice introduces a native yield-bearing stablecoin (USX), perfect for liquidity loops on Orca or Raydium. Ranger, meanwhile, specializes in delta-neutral vaults, allowing yield generation without exposure to underlying price fluctuations.
Finally, Exponent acts as a catalyst, centralizing these various strategies (Hylo, Solstice) into a single interface to simplify the management of complex positions.
The influx of quality new protocols on Solana testifies to renewed confidence from developers and investors. While the displayed yields (sometimes exceeding 30% APY) are attractive, they require rigorous smart contract risk management.
The window of opportunity for these airdrops is closing, with most snapshots scheduled between December 2025 and Q1 2026. Diversification across these ten protocols appears to be the most prudent strategy to capture value in this late bull cycle.
Related articles:
Charles Ledoux is a Bitcoin and blockchain technology specialist. A graduate of the Crypto Academy, he has been a Bitcoin miner for over a year. He has written numerous masterclasses to educate newcomers to the industry and has authored over 2,000 articles on cryptocurrency. Now, he aims to share his passion for crypto through his articles for InvestX.
DISCLAIMER
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies involves risks, and it is important not to invest more than you can afford to lose.
InvestX is not responsible for the quality of the products or services presented on this page and cannot be held liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused by the use of any product or service featured in this article. Investments in crypto assets are inherently risky; readers should conduct their own research before taking any action and invest only within their financial means. This article does not constitute investment advice.
Risk Warning : Trading financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies carries a high level of risk, including the possibility of losing all or part of your investment. It may not be suitable for all investors. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can be influenced by external factors such as financial, regulatory, or political events. Margin trading increases financial risks.
CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are complex instruments with a high risk of rapid capital loss due to leverage. Between 74% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should assess whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Before engaging in financial or cryptocurrency trading, you must be fully informed about the associated risks and fees, carefully evaluate your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk tolerance, and seek professional advice if needed. InvestX.fr and the InvestX application may provide general market commentary, which does not constitute investment advice and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult an independent financial advisor for any investment-related questions. InvestX.fr disclaims any liability for errors, misinvestments, inaccuracies, or omissions and does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information, texts, graphics, links, or other materials provided.
Some of the partners featured on this site may not be regulated in your country. It is your responsibility to verify the compliance of these services with local regulations before using them.
