Apu ApustajaAPU

Solana Mobile is a highly ambitious foray into the mobile consumer hardware market, seeking to open up a crypto-native distribution channel for mobile-first applications. The market for Solana Mobile devices has demonstrated a phenomenon whereby external market actors (e.g. Solana-native projects) continuously underwrite subsidies to Mobile consumers. The value of these subsidies, coming in the form of airdrops, trial programs, and exclusive NFT mints, have consistently covered the cost of the phone and generated positive returns for consumers. Given this trend in subsidies, the unit economics in the market for Mobile devices, and the initial growth rate and trajectory of sales, it should be expected that Solana mobile can clear 1M to 10M units over the coming years. As more devices circulate amongst users, Solana Mobile presents a promising venue for the emergence of killer-applications uniquely enabled by this mobile-first, crypto-native distribution channel.

Metaplex, the leading NFT protocol on Solana, has established a dominant position due to its comprehensive suite of tools. It has a functioning economic model with a buyback program that enhances its value through revenue generated from SOL-denominated fees. While initially focused on NFTs, Metaplex is diversifying its offerings to include non-NFT services, indicating a promising future as a comprehensive token creation suite on Solana.