Solana (SOL) has been trapped in a tight consolidation range between $75 and $100 for months, unable to reclaim its early-year peak near $150. Despite a brief bullish push sparked by the CLARITY Act clearing the US Senate banking committee, the altcoin failed to breach the upper boundary of this channel. Now, prominent crypto analyst Ali Martinez identifies $98 as the pivotal level that must be turned into support for a sustained rally.
According to Martinez, SOL has been trading inside a well-defined horizontal channel with lower support at $78 and upper resistance at $98. The CLARITY Act news temporarily fueled momentum, but the price was sharply rejected at the $98 ceiling. After bouncing from a pivot around $88, Solana appears poised to test this resistance again. A successful daily close above $98 could unlock a swift move to $107, and if bullish pressure persists, the token may extend gains toward $117 — a more than 30% surge from current levels.
The analyst also outlines a bearish scenario: if the $98 barrier holds firm, SOL could retreat back to the $88 pivot or even revisit the channel floor at $78. The broader market environment remains a critical factor, as Solana’s price has been highly sensitive to macroeconomic shifts throughout 2026. As of writing, SOL trades near $89.33, down over 3% in the past 24 hours.
