Solana hits resistance as SEC delays ETF decision, whale stakes 167,500 SOL

Solana price momentum has encountered fresh headwinds as regulatory uncertainty weighs on institutional sentiment and crypto whales signal conviction through large-scale staking activity. US SEC delays Solana ETF decision The US Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2025, announced that it would postpone its verdict on Grayscale’s proposed spot Solana ETF until October 2025, extending the review period beyond initial expectations. This delay for the Solana ETF follows the SEC’s recent deferral of the Litecoin ETF decision, underscoring the regulator’s cautious stance towards spot crypto investment vehicles despite strong demand. Read more: Litecoin price prediction as SEC rules on the spot Litecoin ETF by Canary Capital Notably, the regulatory postponement has created short-term volatility in SOL price performance even as long-term institutional adoption narratives remain intact. Despite the SEC’s deferment, betting markets reflect optimism, showing over 80% probability for a Solana ETF approval before December 31, 2025, according to Polymarket data . Investors note that just as the Bitcoin ETF approvals at the start of 2024 catalysed significant inflows, driving prices higher, the eventual Solana ETF approval could similarly boost the Solana price in the long run. A whale has staked 167,500 SOL Amid the Solana price volatility following the Solana ETF decision postponement, a whale has moved a significant amount of SOL to a staking address in what many see as speculation for a possible ETF approval in the long run. Onchain Lens reported that the whale withdrew 167,500 SOL, worth approximately $28.37 million, from FalconX over a four-day period, choosing to lock the tokens for staking. Within this span, the same whale moved an initial tranche of 72,500 SOL valued at $12.62 million, signalling a bullish vote of confidence in Solana’s network and staking rewards potential. Further onchain activity revealed two additional large transfers three days ago, amounting to over $270 million combined in SOL, though the origin and intention of these movements remain ambiguous. Onchain Lens @OnchainLens · Follow A whale withdrew 72,500 $SOL worth $12.62M, from #FalconX and sent it for staking.Over the past 4 days, the whale has withdrawn a total of 167,500 $SOL , worth $28.37M, for staking. solscan.io/account/J2uwUm… solscan.io/account/4HVnvn… 7:47 am · 14 May 2025 12 Reply Copy link Read 1 reply Sustained whale staking is often interpreted as a demonstration of strong holder conviction, which could reduce circulating supply and potentially support higher SOL price levels over time. Solana price analysis amid the market volatility From a technical analysis point of view, Solana (SOL) hit an intraday peak of $184.72 on May 14, 2025, marking its highest level since mid-February before pulling back to around $180 at press time amid profit-taking. Technical indicators paint a mixed picture, with the 30-day moving average on the verge of forming a bullish golden cross with the 200-day average, which traditionally signals a possible breakout. Conversely, the Commodity Channel Index had breached overbought territory, suggesting short-term exhaustion and raising the possibility of a corrective phase in Solana price. Crypto Sensei, a noted market analyst, has highlighted $180 as a critical resistance zone and projected that a decisive move above $200 could follow, contingent on a retest and confirmation. Crypto Sensei @cryptosenseiXBT · Follow $SOL Following BTC’s move, SOL is showing strength even around the short term resistance area of $180 range.Now, next stop seems to be $200 on the 1-day time frame where a pullback is expected. 1:42 pm · 14 May 2025 8 Reply Copy link Read more on Twitter In the derivatives market, the open Interest in SOL futures and options climbed 9% to $7.48 billion earlier today, its highest level since January 23, reflecting increased speculative positioning around Solana’s price trajectory. Price prediction: can SOL rise to $200 this week? A prominent analyst following Elliott Wave theory cautions that Solana’s recent five-wave sequence might be complete, potentially leading to a corrective pullback before the next leg up. In addition, the Fibonacci Speed Fan, drawn from Solana’s all-time high at $295.83 to its swing low at $95.26, aligns with current resistance zones, reinforcing the case for a temporary pause or rejection. Should Solana price retreat, technical strategists identify support levels near $165 and $164, where buyers may step in, while breakouts above $180.52 would confirm renewed bullish intent. Macro developments, including easing US-China trade tensions, may provide tailwinds for risk assets, potentially catalysing additional capital flows into Solana and broader crypto markets. Upcoming network upgrades, such as the Firedancer protocol enhancement, are expected to improve throughput and reliability, which could further bolster long-term confidence in the Solana ecosystem. While Solana hit resistance amid regulatory delays impacting ETF prospects, the whale-staked conviction and evolving technical setups underscore a complex interplay of bearish and bullish forces shaping Solana’s price outlook. The post Solana hits resistance as SEC delays ETF decision, whale stakes 167,500 SOL appeared first on Invezz

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