​Rumors of Google’s $28 million purchase of Solana tokens surface online

What’s new? On January 10, blockchain developer and musician MartyParty announced on his Twitter that Google bought 2,8 million native tokens of the Solana (SOL) blockchain in two transactions. According to him, the firm paid $10 per coin. MartyParty wrote that Google now owns the 13th largest SOL wallet, also attaching its address. As of January 10, 11:00 UTC, the asset is trading at $16,19, down by 1,28% in 24 hours, according to Binance.

Breaking: Google buys 2,800,000 $SOL at $10. Google is now the 13th largest wallet. Address: 5MfwpEF6XPBDaBBGsiEviNe8sMeF7DZCdQeC5mdrP1pt — MartyParty (@martypartymusic) January 9, 2023

Community reaction. The crypto community was skeptical of the developer’s claim. For example, one user pointed out that MartyParty has no confirmation that the wallet in question belongs to Google. Another user pointed out that the wallet indicated by the author of the post stores non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of dubious origin, which can hardly belong to Google.

sorry can someone corroborate that this is actually Google? This wallet also holds a poo poo NFT pic.twitter.com/Mo1RpqdgHM — Jie Yee 潔瑜 (@jaynedotcom_) January 9, 2023

Another member of the crypto community suggested that MartyParty is trying to profit from spreading misleading information.

Good old making up shit for engagement right — Alex Krüger (@krugermacro) January 10, 2023

What is going on with Solana? One of the biggest blockchain investors is the trading firm Alameda Research, part of the bankrupt FTX Group. On November 22, analysts at Santiment recorded a massive shorting of SOL on the Binance crypto exchange, when the asset plummeted by 63% in just under four days.

In late November, Tether announced that it was transferring 1 billion USDT from Solana to the Ethereum network. The reason for the withdrawal of stablecoins was the blockchain’s connection to Alameda.

According to a report from the Solana Foundation, the network lost more than $180 million due to the collapse of FTX. The organization had stored approximately 3,43 million FTX (FTT) coins and 134,54 million Serum (SRM) coins on the platform, which are now locked on the exchange.

On December 30, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed support for the Solana team. Citing his own reputable sources, he said that “an earnest smart developer community” has gathered around Solana, and the project has prospects for development because “the awful opportunistic money people” are no longer involved.

For what will happen to the Solana ecosystem after FTX’s collapse, read GetBlock Magazine’s article.