Solana : A Whale Unlocks $163 Million in Staking – Will the Price Hold Up?
In the middle of the night on March 21, 2026, a mystery unfolded on the Solana blockchain. An unknown wallet unlocked 1.8 million SOL in staking, equivalent to $163 million. A move that could have shaken investors, but the price of SOL remained strangely stable. What lies behind this massive unlocking? And above all, what are the consequences for the crypto market?

In Brief
- A whale unlocks 1.8 million SOL ($163 million) from staking, an event likely to impact circulating supply.
- Despite the scale of the move, the price of SOL remained stable around $90.
- Several scenarios are possible: massive sale, redistribution, or holding, each with different market consequences.
Crypto: $163 Million of Solana Unlocked in Staking!
On the morning of March 21, 2026, the Whale Alert platform reported an extraordinary transaction. Indeed, 1,817,260 SOL, about $163.86 million, were unlocked from an unknown crypto wallet. This operation took place at 06:35 UTC, while the market was still asleep. The tokens, previously locked in a staking mechanism, suddenly became liquid again, ready to be exchanged, sold, or transferred.
Such movements are closely watched as they can indicate an intent for massive selling, potentially causing price drops. Yet, this time, the price of SOL did not experience major shocks. At the moment of unlocking, it was trading around $90.19, a relatively stable level. Observers wonder whether these tokens were sent to crypto exchanges or merely redistributed.
Massive Unlocking of Solana: What Impact on SOL Price?
The unlocking of $163 million worth of SOL could have triggered panic in the crypto market. Yet, the price hovered around $90. Several scenarios may explain this resilience. First, it is possible that the tokens were not sold immediately but rather redistributed or held by their owner. In such a case, the impact on circulating supply would be limited, and the market would not face downward pressure.
Next, investors might have anticipated this move, already factoring its potential impact into their strategies. If tokens end up being sold, a drop in SOL price could occur. Finally, this unlocking could also be interpreted as a sign of confidence. If the token holder decides to keep or reinvest the SOL, it would send a positive signal to the market, reassuring investors about Solana’s long-term stability.
Solana has once again proven its resilience. Despite a massive unlocking of staking tokens, the crypto market remained calm. The question remains whether this stability will last or if a storm is brewing. What do you think, is this SOL unlocking a threat or an opportunity?
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The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.