Easiest Ways to Get Started Using Solana

Solana has become one of the most popular web3 ecosystems for many good reasons. It’s fast, affordable, and perhaps most of all: it’s easy to use. That’s why a vibrant, global industry of builders, entrepreneurs, and creatives has begun using Solana to push the boundaries of sectors as far ranging as finance, business, and art.

The best part is: If you're new to crypto, Solana offers a user-friendly environment to explore, and you don’t need to be a tech whiz or an experienced trader to get involved. Here, we’ll go over some of the easiest ways to get started using Solana today. 

If you need to brush up on the basics, it’s all covered in our Intro to the Solana Ecosystem.

To interact with Solana, you'll need a wallet. This is where you keep your crypto tokens and make transactions on the network. Whether you’re trading assets or collecting NFTs, the token transaction will take place from your wallet. If you don’t have a wallet yet, make sure to read our guide on How to Set Up a Crypto Wallet. 

Remember: to make any transactions on Solana, you’ll need some SOL, which is the native currency of the network and all of the dApps that live on it. SOL is required to pay for transaction fees on the network. These fees are referred to as ‘gas fees,’ and the SOL is used to automatically compensate the network of decentralized computer Validators that make the Solana network run. 

You can learn more about SOL, Validatoes, and their role in Solana infrastructure in our Guide to Staking SOL. 

A great way to get started with web3 is the world of NFTs. Digital media minted on web3 can range from unique, digital fine art to collectibles and all kinds of experimentation at the forefront of tech and creativity. Solana has emerged as the home of NFTs thanks to a thriving ecosystem with millions of participants all over the world. 

Because minting NFTs on Solana is so affordable, it lowers the barrier to entry for artists and collectors alike, which opens the doors for anyone to take part in the fun. 

• Magic Eden — Collector-centric platform for creating, discovering, and collecting unique NFTs
• DRiP — Follow creators and get free NFTs every week.
• Tensor — An NFT marketplace with an advanced suite of trading tools.
• Primitives — A social platform for minting, sharing, and collecting digital art.

 

Web3 gaming differs from the gaming we all know and love in one major way: the in-game assets are digital assets with value outside of the game and around web3. With play-to-earn gaming, you can earn tokens by achieving in-game objectives — and most are free to play.  

Solana is home to a whole host of play-to-earn games that span everything from intergalactic battle games to health and wellness apps.

• STEPN GO — An innovative ‘move-to-earn’ game that rewards users for walking, running, or getting exercise.
• Star Atlas — A grand strategy game in a futuristic space setting, featuring a complex economy and impressive graphics.
• Aurory — An RPG-meets-NFT collection with tactical turn-based combat.

DeFi on Solana includes a huge spectrum of products and services like wallets, exchanges, lending, and financial services. While they can range from simple to advanced, here’s a selection of a few dApps that are great for beginners.

• Step Finance — A dashboard for Solana, and an essential tool for navigating the Solana ecosystem.
• Kamino — A decentralized finance platform where users can earn interest on their deposits, take out loans or lend assets.
• Jupiter —Solana’s most popular trading platform with an easy-to-use Swap feature for streamlined transactions.

DePIN, which stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks, brings together blockchain technology and real-world infrastructure to create innovative products and services across sectors like mobile networks, location mapping, and data processing. 

• Helium Mobile — A mobile network that uses DePIN networks for cellular coverage on top of a nationwide 5G network in the US. Users can participate by either using the network or setting up hotspots to contribute to the network in exchange for rewards.
• Hivemapper — A decentralized mapping network that creates high-quality maps using data collected by everyday drivers.

Want to learn more about DePIN? We’ve got all the info you need in The Guide to DePIN.

The key to enjoying your web3 experience is to always keep learning and sourcing new  ways you can participate as the ecosystem evolves. If you’ve made it to the end of this guide, you’re already doing a good job, but it’s important to stay engaged with the global community of Solana users to keep it going.

Here are a few ways to participate in the global Solana community:

 

• Follow accounts like the official @Solana and @SolanaFloor on X for news and updates
• Join the Solana subreddit (r/Solana) to engage with other users
• Join in conversations on Discord and Telegram. The Step Finance Discord is a great place to start
• Get to know Solana community networking groups like SolanaCollective 

What’s next to learn? If you’re creative or just curious — find out how you can mint your first NFT in our guide to Getting Started on Solana as an Artist.