Solana: The new blockchain star among developers in 2024

In 2024, Solana surpassed Ethereum in popularity among new developers: out of 39,148 specialists entering the industry, 7,625 chose it for their projects. This marks the first instance in eight years where ecosystem growth has outpaced Ethereum, which remains the leader in total developer count.

Which blockchains are leading?

While Solana secured the second spot in the global ranking, developer preferences vary across regions. In Asia and South America, Polygon leads as the top choice for local specialists. North America favors Base, Africa shows growing interest in ICP, and Polkadot holds steady positions in Europe.

Developer geography

The largest number of blockchain developers is still concentrated in the US, accounting for 18.7%. However, this figure has been declining since 2015, making way for Asian countries.

India, with a share approaching 12%, has seen rapid growth in new specialists: in 2024, they made up 17% of the total compared to 14% in the US.

The UK, with a 4.2% share, ranks third, followed by China at 4%.

Stability and longevity

The total number of developers in the crypto industry decreased by 7% over the year. However, the share of specialists working in the field for over two years increased to 27%. These developers contribute 70% of the code, emphasizing the importance of experience and resilience.

Despite market recovery, crypto startup funding in Q3 2024 fell by 20%, according to Galaxy Digital analysts. At the same time, investments in AI-related projects surged by 250%.