Raydium, a decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Solana blockchain, achieved a historic feat by generating more fees than Ethereum within 24 hours. On October 21, data from DefiLlama confirmed that Raydium earned $3.4 million in fees, edging out Ethereum’s $3.35 million. This surge underscores the growing traction of Solana-based DeFi protocols in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.

• Raydium briefly outperformed Ethereum with $3.4 million in fees on October 21.

• Raydium’s success reflects Solana’s increasing dominance in DeFi.

• RAY token hit its highest price since March 18, driven by increased trading volume.

• Raydium handled more volume than Uniswap despite being available on fewer chains.

• Analysts expect Raydium’s upward trend to continue, with targets set above $3.5.

Despite Ethereum reclaiming its lead with $3.7 million in fees shortly after, Raydium’s ability to surpass it, even temporarily, marks a significant shift in the DeFi market.

Raydium’s TVL | Source: DefiLlama

Raydium's growth aligns with Solana’s expanding DeFi ecosystem. Over the last month, the platform's trading volume surged by 64%, supported by increased interest in Solana's memecoins, such as Popcat (POPCAT) and Cat in a Dogs World (MEW). As of October 23, Raydium managed over $1.2 billion in trading volume, reinforcing its role as a top-tier DEX.

The influx of liquidity and trading activity contributed to the rise in Raydium’s total value locked (TVL), peaking at $1.93 billion at the time of writing. This increase in TVL mirrors the broader trend on Solana, which reached a network TVL of $6.67 billion—approaching Tron’s level and signaling intense competition within the DeFi sector.

Read more: Top Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) in the Solana Ecosystem

In another remarkable development, Raydium managed more volume than Uniswap, one of the most dominant DEXs in the industry. Over the past week, Raydium processed $10.31 billion in transactions compared to Uniswap’s $10.03 billion, despite Uniswap being available on 19 different chains.

This surge highlights Raydium’s strategic advantage, particularly in leveraging Solana’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure, which attracts traders looking for efficiency. With Solana’s memecoin frenzy driving higher volumes, Raydium has cemented itself as a key player in the DeFi sector.

RAY/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin

Raydium’s native token (RAY) has experienced bullish momentum over the past few weeks, outperforming major DEX tokens like PancakeSwap and dYdX. The RAY token hit a recent high of $3.18, representing a 157% increase from its lowest point in August. Analysts suggest that the token could continue its upward trend, with the next target set at $3.5.

Key technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the MACD signal sustained bullish momentum. The “golden cross” pattern, where the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average, further confirms the bullish trend.

Can Token Unlocks Pressure RAY Price in the Future?

While Raydium's growth is impressive, it faces some challenges. Future token unlocks may introduce volatility, with 263 million RAY tokens currently in circulation out of a maximum supply of 550 million. Additionally, competition from other DEXs and potential regulatory hurdles could impact its trajectory.

Looking ahead, Raydium’s success will be closely tied to the broader growth of Solana’s ecosystem. With Solana gaining traction in DeFi and NFTs, Raydium is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum. Analysts predict steady growth through 2024, with price targets ranging between $5 and $10.

Raydium’s recent performance showcases the growing influence of Solana-based protocols in the DeFi sector. As the platform continues to expand its trading volume and liquidity, it challenges long-standing giants like Ethereum and Uniswap.

Raydium's ability to sustain this growth will depend on its capacity to innovate and adapt to market changes. If the current trends persist, Raydium could cement itself as a dominant force in decentralized finance, marking a pivotal shift in the DeFi landscape.

Read more: Top Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) to Know in 2024