Chainlink has officially launched version 1.6 of its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), integrating Solana as the first non-EVM blockchain supported by the network. This upgrade significantly improves cross-chain communication by reducing transaction costs and increasing speed, while making the system VM-agnostic and future-ready for new blockchain architectures such as Move and SVM.
The integration with Solana opens access to its extensive user base, substantial total value locked (TVL), and growing decentralized application ecosystem. Developers can now seamlessly connect Solana with other major blockchains including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, BNB Chain, and Sonic through CCIP, supporting multi-chain token deployments via the Cross-Chain Token (CCT) Standard.
CCIP v1.6 replaces lane-based deployments with chain-based ones, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling direct interoperability across CCIP-enabled chains. Batch execution of messages lowers execution gas fees, benefiting both retail users and large institutions by cutting cross-chain transaction costs. Additionally, the upgrade reduces the onchain data footprint, lowering maintenance costs and improving long-term sustainability.
Following the release, Chainlink's native token LINK saw a notable 4.56% price increase, alongside a 27.54% increase in trading volume and rising market capitalization. This reflects strong market confidence in Chainlink's expanded infrastructure and cross-chain utility.
Furthermore, this upgrade allows Solana to attract asset liquidity from other ecosystems, unlocking over $19 billion in potential assets as several prominent projects like Solv, Backed Finance, and Shiba Inu plan to deploy on Solana using CCIP's infrastructure. This positions Chainlink as a critical infrastructure layer for scalable and efficient decentralized interoperability across both EVM and non-EVM chains.