There’s this acronym that I kept hearing throughout Startup Village — “OPOS” — meaning Only Possible on Solana. At first, it sounded like another catchy phrase, a simple nod to the blockchain’s tech. But now that I’m home, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that OPOS is much deeper than that.
I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled upon Solana. It was early 2022, and I was still kind of a newbie trying to understand blockchains, tokens and wallets. You know, like a kid with a new toy. To make matters worse, Ethereum was my 1st blockchain and the gas fees horrified me and gave me PTSD. I was even thinking of taking a break from everything blockchain. Then I saw a tweet saying “Ethereum gas fees suck. Try Solana.” I quickly did some research on how to use Solana, got some $SOL, made some transactions to test the waters and haven’t looked back ever since!
So for the Back to Basics track, I’ll be taking you on a ride through the Solana projects that hooked me, shaped me and keeps me coming back. These aren’t just tools; they’re the heartbeat of an ecosystem that’s given me more than I ever expected. Buckle up for an awesome ride below!
Solflare Wallet: My Solana Home
Picture this: it’s 2 a.m., I’m drowsy and just downloaded Solflare Wallet because some Reddit thread swore it’s the best wallet to use on Solana. Of course I was skeptical of what a stranger online had to say. I decided to give it a try. Once I did, I loved it. The UI was clean and intuitive unlike Metamask, like it was daring me to explore. I bought a couple of low floor price NFTs on Magic Eden and everything went through in seconds. I was sold.
My first Solana and Solflare transactions cost me cents which was refreshing compared to the $5, $10, $20, etc, I had gotten accustomed to paying on Ethereum. And the recent rebranding got me feeling like I’m using my personal crypto bank account 
. To me, Solflare isn’t just a wallet; it’s my front door to Solana. It’s where I stash my SOL, manage my NFTs, and stake tokens without breaking a sweat.
Beyond functionality, I love the thriving community and the Guardian Program initiative. That was what turned me into a power user as they educated me with resources to explore Solana further. Solflare also actively supports local Solana and crypto communities worldwide which is inspiring.
Solana ID: The Treasure Map I Didn’t Know I Needed
I first learnt of Solana ID through their SuperTeam earn bounty around August 2024. Crypto can feel like a maze — tons of projects, many of them scams, and no clear way to find the good stuff. That’s why Solana ID felt exciting and innovative — a tool that connects users to early-stage Solana projects and opportunities.
Because of Solana ID, the Solidian community (shoutout to my fellow Solidians) has been able to discover and access early-stage projects that bring real value. A perfect example is Drip Haus.
Drip Haus is a game-changer for artists and creators, providing them with a platform to showcase their work, get paid, and build a community around their art. Some Solidians even started their own art-collecting and creation journeys thanks to early access from Solana ID. And as a bonus, everyone who participated in the Drip Haus campaign became eligible for some $Pengu airdrop.
This is what OPOS is all about — real opportunities and real impact.
Jupiter: Solana’s Aggregator
If Solflare is my home and Solana ID is my map, Jupiter is my trusty spaceship for exploring Solana. I learnt about Jupiter during my 1st research on how to use Solana. Then it was a simple DEX, which transitioned into a Dex aggregator and now it’s a bonafide cornerstone of Solana’s DeFi scene. Whether I need to buy $BORG or another token for a Borgpad launchpool, or swap $SOL — $WIF for depositing in Meteora, Jupiter is my go-to.
The cracked devs at JUP have built something special pairing seamless transaction speeds, an intuitive UI, and an amazing global community (with an added sprinkle of cat memes, of course 
).
But it’s more than just a DEX aggregator. Everyday in crypto, people lose money to fraudulent dApps and malicious actors. Jupiter is constantly fighting against this with updates that make it harder for these scams to succeed. For example, their new “Verify” system, rolled out this year, lets project teams link their X accounts to their token’s contract address. This allows users to boost the authenticity & visibility of the token on Jupiter — no more guessing if you’re swapping for the real deal or some scammer’s knockoff.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: Solana isn’t just tech. It’s the people.
It’s the Guardian who responded to my dm in the midnight to resolve my concerns. It’s the Solidian who tipped me off to Drip Haus before it blew up. It’s Meow who tweeted a cat GIF to cheer me up after a trade went sideways. These projects — Solflare, Solana ID, Jupiter — aren’t just tools I use; they’re the backbone of an ecosystem that’s changed how I see crypto, and honestly, how I see community.
When I think about the Back to Basics track, these are the projects that define Solana for me. Solflare was my first love, the one I can’t live without. Solana ID opened doors I didn’t know existed, impacting my life in ways I still feel. Jupiter? It’s the one I’m most excited about — every update makes it sharper, safer, and more fun. Together, they deliver value I can touch: empowerment, connection, and a shot at something bigger.
The OPOS Truth
“Only Possible on Solana” isn’t a slogan — it’s a promise. Where else can you mint a million NFTs for pocket change in gas fees, swap tokens in a blink of an eye, and find a community that feels like family? I’ve been on other chains — Ethereum, BNB, Polygon — but none feel like this. Solana’s speed, its dirt-cheap fees, its relentless innovation — it’s a playground for dreamers and doers. And these projects? They’re the proof.
If I could start my Solana journey over, I’d run straight to Solflare, Solana ID, and Jupiter. They’re not just foundational — they’re personal. They’ve turned a curious newbie into someone who’s all in, staking SOL, collecting art, and swapping tokens like it’s second nature. This ecosystem’s got soul, and I’m here for it.
So yeah, OPOS isn’t just a saying. It’s my story. And if you’re new to Solana, it could be yours too. Dive in. You won’t know what hit you ’til you’re hooked.
Only Possible on Solana: A Love Letter to an Ecosystem That Changed My Life was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.