Helium: From an independent chain to the Solana ecosystem, analyzing how this IoT ambitious project is redefining wireless networks

Helium is more than just a project; it is redefining the way wireless networks operate. Since launching its first Hotspot device in 2019, this network, co-founded by Амир Халим, Шон Фаннинг, and Шон Кэри, has grown into the world’s largest decentralized long-range wireless network (LoRaWAN).

Unexpectedly, this once independent blockchain project made a major turn on April 18, 2023—completely migrating to the Solana ecosystem. What is the deeper meaning behind this decision? The answer lies in the triangular relationship among technological scalability, ecological integration, and practical applications.

Why is Helium turning to Solana?

Helium’s native blockchain faces a “happy problem”—a surge in users and data volume. As the number of access points skyrockets, the Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) consensus mechanism, while innovative, begins to show bottlenecks in verifying and managing network coverage. Meanwhile, ensuring stable and secure data transmission for millions of devices puts enormous pressure on an independent public chain.

Migrating to Solana is not a retreat but a strategic upgrade. What does Solana offer?

• Cost difference: Helium’s average transaction fee is about $0.35, while on Solana it’s only $0.00025—an astonishing 1400x cheaper
• Developer ecosystem: Moving away from niche Erlang language to embrace the Rust ecosystem and the thriving Solana developer community
• DeFi integration: HNT, IOT, MOBILE tokens can directly interact with DEXs like Orca and Kamino, making liquidity no longer isolated

This calculation is clear.

Five major changes brought by the migration

1. Hotspots upgraded from smart devices to on-chain NFTs

Helium’s Hotspot is the core of the network. After migration, these hotspots will exist as NFTs on the Solana chain. More importantly—using compressed NFT technology, file sizes are significantly reduced, lowering storage costs and gas fees, thereby improving network efficiency.

2. The “tripartite separation of powers” in the token system

• HNT (supply cap 2.23 billion): retains core functions of network governance and data point generation
• IOT (supply cap 200 billion): mining rewards for LoRaWAN hotspots, replacing HNT’s previous role at the IoT layer
• MOBILE (supply cap 230 billion): mining rewards for 5G hotspots, driving Helium Mobile network expansion

Users can exchange IOT↔HNT and MOBILE↔HNT within the Helium Wallet. This multi-token model provides independent economic incentives for sub-networks.

3. Governance mode upgraded from “token-holders-have-power” to “time-locked voting weight”

Previously, governance depended solely on token holdings. Now, a ve (voting escrow) model similar to Curve is introduced:

• Longer staking periods yield more voting power for the same amount of tokens
• Staking HNT can earn rewards
• Staking IOT and MOBILE grants more voting rights (without additional yield)

The intention behind this design: prevent large holders from single-handedly deciding, and encourage long-term participants to genuinely care about the network’s future.

4. Explosive growth in smart contract capabilities

In the original chain era, complex on-chain operations were limited. Now, with access to Solana’s smart contract ecosystem, Helium can:

• Build more complex data marketplace mechanisms
• Seamlessly interact with other DeFi protocols
• Attract developers to create innovative applications based on Helium’s wireless technology

The Helium Foundation’s restarted Grant program is funding developers to build applications on this open infrastructure—from air quality monitoring and asset tracking to smart irrigation and forest fire early warning systems.

5. Data processing shifting from “on-chain all-in” to “hybrid off-chain + on-chain”

The new architecture uses Oracle to process device data instead of relying entirely on blockchain verification. The benefit? Significantly improved network stability and data throughput, no longer limited by on-chain capacity.

Current status overview: what has been done

To date, the Helium Network has deployed over 1 million access points worldwide, covering 77,000 cities in 192 countries, making it the largest decentralized LoRaWAN network.

IoT practical examples:

• Roof Tec (roof service provider): Monitored house metrics with Dragino sensors, promptly detected faulty valves, avoiding a $400,000 repair disaster
• Greenmetrics (Portuguese green tech company): Used Helium IoT to optimize golf course irrigation, reducing water costs by 14-28%, and cutting equipment costs by 5-10 times
• Owen Equipment (equipment supplier): Replaced 3G networks with Helium-based LoRaWAN solutions, halving costs and doubling asset tracking coverage

5G layer: Helium Mobile launched a $5 unlimited plan in Miami, expanding coverage to Broward and Palm Beach. This is a direct challenge to traditional mobile operators—decentralized, low-cost, and user-profit-oriented.

Token overview

Current market data (as of January 15, 2026):

HNT, as the fundamental token, has clear functions: paying Data Credits (DC, used for data transmission), participating in governance, and accessing network services. 1 DC equals the cost to transmit a 24-byte data packet.

Why is Helium worth关注?

Market competition dimension: Global IoT connections are expected to exceed 15 billion devices by 2025, yet most devices still rely on centralized operators. Helium represents a completely different model—every participant is a co-owner and beneficiary of the network.

Ecological integration dimension: After migrating to Solana, Helium is no longer an isolated experiment but part of the DeFi infrastructure. HNT holders can participate in liquidity mining, lending, and other activities within the Solana ecosystem, greatly enhancing token utility.

Technological innovation dimension: The evolution from independent chain to Solana sub-network demonstrates the practical application of modular blockchain ideas—letting specialized chains handle specialized tasks. Helium focuses on wireless network protocols and incentive mechanisms.

Practical application dimension: Unlike many projects that only operate on-chain, Helium is transforming a real physical network. Each Hotspot is a tangible hardware investment, and every LoRaWAN connection addresses real user needs.

Risks and opportunities coexist

Helium’s story is still being written. The key to success lies in:

• Rapidly expanding access points to form genuine global coverage
• Attracting enough application developers to enrich the ecosystem
• Ensuring the sustainability of the token economic model and balancing mining rewards with network growth

Of course, market volatility, regulatory changes, and competitors may introduce uncertainties. But undoubtedly, Helium is exploring a path rarely tread—using blockchain incentives and decentralized governance to reshape a seemingly mature but long-occupied wireless network industry.

The outcome of this experiment may be more insightful than the project’s price movements.