SOON (SOON) Analysis: Technical Architecture and Tokenomics of a Solana Ecosystem Layer 2 Network

Core Positioning and Project Background of SOON

SOON (Solana Optimistic Network) is an Optimistic Rollup Layer 2 network for the Solana ecosystem, built on the ZK Stack framework. It aims to solve Solana mainnet’s scalability bottlenecks through modular architecture, reduce transaction costs, and support EVM compatibility. The project is led by a team of former Solana core developers. In Q3 2024, it completed a $22 million seed round with investors including Hack VC and Hypersphere Ventures. In February 2025, it raised an additional $38 million in a public sale, bringing total funding to $60 million, making it the largest Layer 2 project in the Solana ecosystem.

This Token Insights article provides an in-depth analysis of SOON’s technical architecture, tokenomics, and its positioning within the Solana ecosystem.

SOON is positioned as the “scalable mirror” of the Solana ecosystem, leveraging Optimistic Rollup technology to boost throughput to 10,000 TPS while enabling Solidity contract development to attract Ethereum developers. On May 23, 2025, its native token SOON was listed on Binance Alpha. Users could participate in the airdrop through Alpha Points and start trading, marking the formal launch of its decentralized governance framework.

Technical Architecture and Innovative Features

SOON’s technical system combines Optimistic Rollup technology with the core features of the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM):

• Derived Layer Design: Derives blocks from the Ethereum mainnet to ensure data availability and security, while implementing EVM-SVM contract interoperability via the SIMD-83 proposal;

• Parallel Transaction Processing: Decouples Solana’s TPU component (retaining SigVerifyStage and BankingStage) to support high-concurrency transaction execution;

• Anti-Censorship Mechanism: Enforces transaction inclusion to prevent the sequencer from censoring user deposits, ensuring network decentralization.

Key technical highlights include an optimized fraud proof mechanism (single challenge can cover both the derived and execution layers) and cross-chain compatibility (planned Cosmos IBC integration in Q3 2025). Collaborations with Aave and Uniswap will accelerate ecosystem deployment, such as EVM-compatible DEX launches and integration of derivatives protocols.

Tokenomics and Market Dynamics

The total supply of SOON tokens is 1 billion, allocated as follows: 38% for public sale, 22% for private sale, 25% for ecosystem incentives, and 15% for the team. Token utility includes gas payments (burn mechanism to suppress inflation), governance voting (for network upgrades), and node staking (validators must stake at least 10,000 SOON, with 12%-18% annual returns).

During the public sale, oversubscription exceeded 300%, with investors expecting a post-launch market cap of $500 million. A total of 120 million tokens (12% of supply) were allocated for airdrops, with 30% immediately liquid and 70% released over 12 months. Investors should be cautious about the unlocking of private sale tokens (220 million) starting in 2026, which may lead to sell pressure.

Potential Risks and Ecosystem Challenges

Despite promising technology, SOON faces multiple challenges:

• Market Competition: Within the Solana ecosystem, Light Protocol (ZK Rollup) and Teleport (state channel) are diverting developer resources. Ethereum Layer 2s (Arbitrum, Optimism) dominate 70% of the market;

• Regulatory Pressure: U.S. SEC scrutiny over the “security nature” of rollups may restrict institutional capital inflows, and cross-chain bridges must comply with AML regulations in multiple countries;

• Technical Dependencies: Compatibility relies on third-party oracles (e.g., Pyth Network). Node failures may impact data availability.

Users can refer to the JuCoin Staking Guide to learn how to manage liquidity risks associated with staking tokens.

Future Outlook: The Layer 2 Vision for the Solana Ecosystem

SOON’s future roadmap focuses on technological deepening and ecosystem expansion:

• Feature Upgrades: In Q4 2025, a privacy transaction module (based on zero-knowledge proofs) will be launched, and a decentralized sequencer will go live in 2026;

• Cross-Chain Collaboration: Cosmos IBC will enable multi-chain asset interoperability and attract Cosmos ecosystem developers;

• User Growth: In collaboration with RedotPay, a compliant on/off-ramp will be introduced, with a focus on expanding into Southeast Asia and Africa.

Industry analysts suggest that SOON’s “high performance + compatibility” model may become the key to Solana ecosystem breakthroughs, but the project must balance between technical implementation and decentralized governance. As the whitepaper states: “When Layer 2 becomes the mirror of the main chain, value will converge on the most efficient reflective surface.”