It also means that DeFi communities and token projects built on EVM chains finally have a way to extend their reach into Solana.
On May 19, Chainlink (LINK )announced that its Cross‑Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is officially live on Solana’s mainnet. Solana (SOL), being a non-EVM chain, previously lacked seamless connectivity with Ethereum-based ecosystems. So, this is the first time CCIP has been deployed on a non‑EVM chain, thanks to its upgraded v1.6 architecture.
According to our earlier update, the Chainlink v1.6 update introduces support for VM-agnostic networks like Solana, which runs on Sealevel instead of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This brings massive improvements: transaction costs for cross-chain messaging are cut by 90%, and message batching means lower latency and fees.
Chainlink Co-founder Sergey Nazarov highlighted how this integration supercharges Solana’s smart contracts, making them more powerful through cross-chain messaging and programmable token transfers.
For Solana developers, it’s a game-changer, finally making fast, low-cost, and secure cross-chain functionality possible without relying on risky, complex bridging solutions. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on wrapped tokens or custodial solutions, CCIP enables direct and decentralized transfers of both messages and tokens, even to non-EVM chains like Solana.
It leverages advanced features like Threshold Signature Schemes (TSS), decentralized oracle networks (DONs), and built-in rate limits and circuit breakers for extra protection.
This means developers can now interact more seamlessly with ecosystems like Ethereum (ETH), HashKey Chain, HyperEVM, Arbitrum (ARB), Optimism, BNB Chain, and Base. This then unlocks new use cases and liquidity flows. On top of that, CCIP supports the Cross-Chain Token (CCT) standard, allowing real, native assets to move across blockchains without losing security or control, which is a huge step forward in making Web3 truly interconnected.
Assets like stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and DeFi tokens can move into the Solana ecosystem natively without the need for wrapped tokens or risky third-party bridges. This means over $19 billion in value from partners like Circle, Maple Finance, and The Graph can now be deployed on Solana more securely and efficiently.
For enterprises, CCIP brings the kind of tools they need: standardized APIs for transferring tokens and data, built-in automation, auditability, and gas-efficient batching. Traditional finance (TradFi) players looking for compliant, secure infrastructure now have a reliable path into Solana.
At the same time, the companies working with RWAs, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), or tokenized securities, Solana becomes a practical, enterprise-ready option for cross-chain activity.
Solana saw a quick 4.34 % boost, building on a solid 7% gain over the past week. It’s currently hovering around $155, with its trading volume spiking by 24.61% in just 24 hours, now sitting at a hefty $4.12 billion. According to our analysis, the next major level to watch is $187, which marks the high Solana hit back in May.
Chainlink has been on a strong run too, gaining 3.79% over the last week and another 6% surge in the past 24 hours as it holds steady at $13.88. Trading activity for LINK has also picked up, with volume rising 67.6% in a single day to reach $479 million.
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