What happened? Gemini launched a Solana credit card that pays rewards in SOL and offers automatic staking.
Gemini added a Solana edition to its crypto reward cards, joining its Bitcoin and XRP options and offering up to 4% back in SOL with an optional auto-staking feature. The exchange cited Solana’s strong reward performance and growing developer ecosystem as reasons for the move. Card sign-ups have surged year-over-year, showing rising consumer interest in crypto reward products.
Who does this affect? Card users, Solana holders, traders, and builders in the Solana ecosystem.
Retail cardholders can now earn and optionally auto-stake SOL on everyday purchases, which makes holding SOL more accessible and attractive. Existing SOL holders may see more demand and potential price appreciation—Gemini data says users who picked SOL and held a year saw around 300% gains since 2021. Developers and DeFi projects on Solana could benefit from greater mainstream attention and capital flowing into the network.
Why does this matter? It could meaningfully boost SOL demand and market momentum, potentially driving prices higher.
Embedding SOL rewards and auto-staking into a mainstream credit product turns everyday spending into persistent buy-and-hold demand, which can tighten supply and lift prices. Technicals noted in the article show a possible breakout above $300 toward $500, and broader TradFi adoption could, in bullish scenarios, push SOL much higher toward four-figure targets. More sign-ups, corporate accumulation, and DeFi-to-TradFi flows will likely increase liquidity and volatility, making SOL and related tokens prime beneficiaries in the near term.