I’ve been following Solana closely. With $8.95B in Total Value Locked (TVL), it remains a powerhouse. But lately, I’ve been wondering: who could challenge its dominance?

For this list, I decided to focus on non-EVM projects (with one exception). While Ethereum Layer-2s like Optimism and Polygon are impressive, I’m more intrigued by chains carving their own paths and gaining traction outside the EVM ecosystem. I already talked about Telegram Open Network (TON) in a recent post so this time I will focus on the other challengers, with rising TVL.

Here’s my personal take on the most exciting challengers:

Aptos ($1.87B TVL, +8.37%)

Aptos has been making waves with its focus on scalability and a user-friendly developer experience. My favorite protocol here is Amnis, a liquid staking solution that has been a game-changer for me. If you’re curious, try it out using my referral link: https://url3.me/1ni4j0c. I think Aptos has what it takes to grow into a formidable competitor to Solana.

Sui ($1.76B TVL, -5.87%)

Sui stands out with its emphasis on gaming and NFTs. One dApp I’m particularly bullish on is Bluefin, a perps DEX with a potential airdrop for early adopters. Don’t miss out—use my referral link to start trading: https://trade.bluefin.io/referral/v2-7cngnh. With dApps like Bluefin leading the way, Sui has the potential to become a strong rival to Solana.

Hyperliquid ($1.26B TVL, +0.47%)

Hyperliquid is a standout for combining both perps and spot DEX functionality. While you access it through Arbitrum for now, it’s actually a non-EVM chain, and they’re working on launching HyperEVM with a HYPE token airdrop on the horizon. I’m quite bullish on its potential! You can try it out and possibly qualify for the airdrop using my referral link: https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/join/CRYPTOFAB.

CORE ($975M TVL, -4.31%)

CORE is the largest Bitcoin Layer-2 chain by TVL. While it’s an EVM chain, it’s built on top of Bitcoin, which makes it a unique bridge between the two ecosystems. There’s also a reward campaign running right now—you can participate and earn some juicy rewards by registering here: https://ignition.coredao.org/registration/code?code=23385D. CORE’s Bitcoin roots and focus on DeFi make it an interesting project to watch.

My Take: Is Solana Safe?

For now, Solana’s position seems solid. Its speed, low fees, and thriving ecosystem make it a tough competitor to dethrone. However, challengers like Aptos, Sui, Hyperliquid, and CORE are making significant strides. Whether it’s Amnis on Aptos, Bluefin on Sui, Hyperliquid’s ambitious plans, or CORE’s Bitcoin-backed ecosystem, these chains are building real momentum.

What’s your take? Is Solana unbeatable, or could one of these chains rise to claim the crown? Let’s discuss!