What is the Build on Solana Program by Chainlink?

Chainlink launched Build on Solana, a startup acceleration initiative aimed at helping Web3 projects grow using Chainlink services on the Solana blockchain. The program is designed for developers, founders, and teams who are building high-impact applications and want to benefit from the combined strengths of Chainlink’s secure data infrastructure and Solana’s high-speed, low-fee blockchain network

What Is Build on Solana?

Build on Solana is a startup support program by Chainlink that targets early-stage and established projects committed to building on the Solana blockchain using Chainlink services. These include:

• Chainlink CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol)
• Chainlink Data Feeds
• Chainlink Data Streams
• Chainlink SmartData
• Chainlink CRE (Chainlink Risk Evaluation)

Teams selected for the program receive technical mentorship, go-to-market support, and enhanced visibility across both the Solana and Chainlink ecosystems. Moreover, their project tokens become claimable by the Chainlink ecosystem, including eligible LINK stakers. This boosts community engagement and cross-chain liquidity.

Applications are now open and will stay that way for a limited time, giving builders a chance to gain structured support from both Chainlink Labs and the Solana Foundation.

Unlocking Web3 Potential with CCIP v1.6

A major technical milestone supporting this initiative is the launch of Chainlink CCIP v1.6 on Solana’s mainnet last month. This allows secure and low-cost data and asset transfers between Solana and other major blockchains like Ethereum, Arbitrum, and BNB Chain.

CCIP is also about enabling secure communication between smart contracts on different networks, an essential feature for the next wave of DeFi, real-world assets (RWAs), and consumer applications.

A Token Bridge for Billions in Assets

Projects like Maple Finance, Shiba Inu, and Backed Finance—which collectively manage over $19 billion in tokenized assets—are now able to bring those assets into Solana’s fast and affordable network. These firms are adopting Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Token (CCT) standard to move tokens seamlessly, without compromising on speed or security.

New projects like ElizaOS, The Graph, Pepe, and Zeus Network are also adopting the CCT standard for the first time, further enriching Solana’s growing ecosystem.

This ability to bridge assets from Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains into Solana opens the door for institutional capital and greater liquidity. The Build on Solana program aims to make Solana a true multi-chain powerhouse in the decentralized economy.

From Bridges to Builders: Use Cases Across the Board

The program targets a broad spectrum of Web3 builders:

• DeFi protocols needing secure oracle data
• Infrastructure teams building bridges or liquidity networks
• Consumer-facing apps like wallets or marketplaces
• Emerging sectors, including tokenized real-world assets and gaming

Projects such as Interport, OpenOcean, Transporter, and XSwap are already integrating Solana support using Chainlink’s infrastructure. These platforms reportedly enhance the user experience by offering faster, safer, and more efficient cross-chain swaps and liquidity access.

Ideal participants are teams who:

• See long-term value in both Chainlink and Solana
• Are working on high-impact, scalable applications
• Want deep integration and technical partnership

Applications for Build on Solana are officially open and will remain open for the next two months. Builders who want to create meaningful, scalable Web3 solutions using Chainlink and Solana now have a unique window of opportunity.

As Sheth Sanket, VP of Revenue & Partnerships at Chainlink Labs, puts it:

“With Build on Solana, we’re deepening our collaboration with the Solana ecosystem to support teams that are building the next generation of onchain applications.”

Strengthening Solana’s Position in Institutional DeFi

Chainlink has long been recognized as a key pillar in securing billions in DeFi total value locked (TVL). By bringing that security standard into Solana, the Build on Solana initiative is attracting institutional-grade interest.

With CCIP integration, billions of dollars in project capital can now flow into the Solana ecosystem, reinforcing its role as a hub for tokenized RWAs and institutional finance.