The Solana Optimistic Network (SOON) is an innovative Layer 2 solution that bridges the high-speed capabilities of Solana's Sealevel Virtual Machine (SVM) with the modular and robust infrastructure of the Ethereum ecosystem. Designed with scalability, developer efficiency, and decentralization in mind, SOON introduces a modular blockchain framework that combines the best elements of both ecosystems. At the heart of this network lies the $SOON token, which serves as the native asset powering governance, staking, transactions, and ecosystem incentives.
Summary Box (Quick Facts)
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Ticker Symbol: SOON
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Initial Total Supply: 1,000,000,000 SOON (3% annual inflation)
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Primary Use Case: Governance, staking, ecosystem incentives, and native asset for the SOON Ecosystem
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Availability on Phemex: No (as of writing)
What Is SOON?
SOON is the native cryptocurrency of the Solana Optimistic Network ecosystem, purpose-built to support a new wave of decentralized applications and blockchain infrastructure. Unlike traditional monolithic blockchains or isolated Layer 2 rollups, SOON operates as a modular execution environment. It leverages Solana's SVM for execution while adopting an optimistic rollup-inspired settlement layer. This hybrid design allows SOON to provide high throughput, low latency, and a shared security model across independently deployed blockchains known as SOON Chains.
The SOON Stack is a central innovation within this ecosystem. It is a framework that enables developers to deploy their own customizable, SVM-compatible chains with built-in interoperability and scalability. These chains inherit fast finality and shared security from the SOON Mainnet, empowering developers to focus on building without needing to recreate foundational infrastructure.
Developed by a team with deep roots in Solana, Coinbase, and Optimism, $SOON merges Solana’s speed with Ethereum’s modular philosophy, positioning itself as a critical player in the multi-chain future.
How Many SOON Are There?
Supply and Inflation
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Initial Total Supply: 1 billion SOON tokens.
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Inflation: 3% annually to fund staking rewards and ecosystem growth.
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Max Supply: Uncapped due to inflation, but governance can adjust parameters.
SOON Token Allocation,Source:Soon Network
Distribution
$SOON has a community-first distribution model:
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Community (51%): Distributed via fair launch and long-term rewards.
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Ecosystem Fund (25%): Supports partnerships, grants, and integrations.
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Airdrop & Liquidity (8%): Incentivizes adoption and ensures market liquidity.
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Foundation/Treasury (6%): Funds R&D, operations, and strategic initiatives.
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Team & Cobuilders (10%): Rewards core contributors, vested over time.
What Does SOON Do?
$SOON is a multi-functional token within the ecosystem:
Governance:
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Vote on protocol upgrades, treasury spending, and grant allocations.
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Propose changes to inflation rates or token distribution.
Staking:
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Validators stake $SOON to enable fast-finality settlement, earning 3% annual rewards.
Ecosystem Incentives:
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Developers earn $SOON for contributing to SOON Chains or building dApps.
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Performance-based grants drive innovation and partnerships.
Native Asset:
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Used for transaction fees, cross-chain messaging, and resource allocation.
The Technology Behind SOON
Fast-Finality Settlement
Traditional optimistic rollups rely on 7-day challenge windows for finality, which can introduce delays in transaction confirmation. SOON revolutionizes this model by implementing fast-finality settlement through validator staking. Validators who submit invalid transactions face slashing penalties, incentivizing honest behavior and ensuring rapid confirmation without compromising security.
SOON Stack and Modular Execution
The SOON Stack is a toolkit that allows developers to create and deploy modular blockchains that are compatible with Solana’s SVM. These chains benefit from shared security provided by the SOON Mainnet and can choose their own data availability solutions such as Celestia or Avail. This flexibility makes SOON a fully modular execution layer capable of adapting to diverse application needs.
SVM Compatibility
SOON Chains are built using Agave, a specification of the Solana Virtual Machine developed by Anza, a Solana Labs spinout. This ensures that developers familiar with Solana’s programming model and tools can seamlessly migrate or replicate their dApps on SOON. It also enables high performance with support for over 50,000 transactions per second (TPS).
Interoperability and Cross-Chain Messaging
SOON integrates with Wormhole, a cross-chain messaging protocol, to facilitate seamless asset transfers and interactions between different blockchains. This interoperability is key to SOON’s vision of becoming a unified environment for decentralized innovation.
Strategic Partners and Investors
The project enjoys strong backing from some of the most reputable names in the blockchain space:
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Solana Ecosystem: Developed by a team with deep ties to Solana Labs, Coinbase, and Optimism.
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Backers: Includes Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, Celestia Labs co-founder Mustafa Al-Bassam, and Coinbase Ventures.
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Infrastructure Partners: Integrated with Celestia for modular data availability and Wormhole for interoperability.
These partnerships not only validate the project’s technical foundation but also enhance its strategic direction and market reach.
SOON vs. Other SVM Solutions
As the SVM ecosystem matures, multiple projects are exploring various directions to leverage Solana’s execution environment. SOON distinguishes itself from competitors such as Solayer and Sonic SVM:
Dimension |
SOON |
Solayer |
Sonic SVM |
Positioning |
Cross-chain SVM expansion |
Hardware-accelerated SVM |
Gaming and social-optimized SVM |
Core Technology |
SOON Stack, localized fee markets |
Infiniband RDMA, Intel Tofino |
HyperGrid, TikTok Mini App |
Key Advantages |
Multi-chain support, governance |
Ultra-fast TPS, hardware-level security |
Web2 onboarding, sub-second interactions |
Funding Model |
51% community fair launch |
Institutional-backed |
Gaming-first monetization |
Use Cases |
DeFi, social, gaming |
High-frequency trading |
Web3 gaming, NFTs |
Challenges |
Governance coordination |
Infrastructure complexity |
Platform dependence |
By focusing on developer accessibility, multi-chain deployment, and community governance, SOON offers a balanced approach to scalability and decentralization.
Team & Origins
The SOON core team is composed of experienced builders with backgrounds in major blockchain projects:
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Joanna Zeng (CEO): Formerly led business development at Coinbase and Optimism, now spearheads SOON’s ecosystem strategy.
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Andrew Zhou (CTO): A specialist in Rust and Golang, he is the architect behind SOON’s fast-finality protocol.
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Advisors: Includes Solana Foundation President Lily Liu and Celestia co-founder Mustafa Al-Bassam.
Funding Milestones
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August 2024: Raised an undisclosed amount in a “cobuilder round” with participation from Solana Foundation President Lily Liu, Solana Labs co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, Coinbase Ventures Principal Jonathan King, Celestia Labs cofounder Mustafa Al-Bassam, Avail cofounder Prabal Banerjee, Wormhole Foundation cofounder Robinson Burkey, and others.
Source:Cointelegraph
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January 2025: Secured $22 million via an NFT sale ahead of mainnet launch. ABCDE, Hypersphere, SNZ Capital, Anagram, ArkStream Capital, GeekCartel, PAKA, Web3Port and MH Venture also participated in the funding round.
Key News and Events
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2024 Q3: Announced SOON Stack for launching SVM-compatible chains.
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August 2024: Closed cobuilder round with Solana and modular blockchain leaders.
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January 2025: $22 million raised via NFT sale; mainnet launch scheduled for Q2 2025.
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2025 Q2: Partnered with Wormhole for cross-chain asset transfers.
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2025 Q3: Planned integration with Avail for modular data availability.
Is SOON a Good Investment?
The following is not financial advice. Do your own research.
Bullish Case
SOON is well-positioned in the evolving blockchain infrastructure landscape. Its technical foundation combines Solana’s high throughput with Ethereum’s modular philosophy. With backing from notable investors and a strong development team, the project has the potential to become a critical infrastructure layer for modular dApps.
The utility of $SOON across governance, staking, and builder incentives ensures continuous demand, while its community-driven model enhances long-term decentralization. If SOON can deliver on its roadmap, it could emerge as a key player in the cross-chain future.
Risks and Considerations
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Competition: Projects like Eclipse and Saga are also targeting modular SVM deployments.
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Inflationary Pressure: A 3% annual inflation rate could affect token value if adoption lags.
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Market Volatility: As a newly launched asset, $SOON may experience price swings in its early stages.
Verdict
While speculative, SOON presents a compelling investment opportunity for those bullish on Solana’s developer ecosystem and the rise of modular blockchain architectures. Its innovative technology and ecosystem-first design make it a project worth watching.
📈 How to Buy SOON on Phemex
(Once listed)
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Sign Up: Create a Phemex account
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Deposit Funds: Use crypto or fiat gateways
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Search for "SOON" in the markets tab
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Place a Buy Order: Choose spot or contract type
Fees, trading pairs, and limits will be detailed on the Phemex fees page.
Conclusion
The Solana Optimistic Network (SOON) marks a new chapter in blockchain scalability and modular design. By combining the raw speed of Solana's SVM with Ethereum-inspired rollup architectures, SOON offers a unique execution environment that is both fast and flexible. Its community-oriented tokenomics, strong technical team, and strategic partnerships position it as a promising contender in the next phase of Web3 infrastructure development. Whether you are a developer, investor, or enthusiast, SOON offers an exciting glimpse into the future of decentralized, multi-chain ecosystems.
Trade $SOON securely and efficiently on Phemex once it goes live.