Solana Exec Says DATs Will Compete to Grow Ecosystem

Solana Foundation expects competition from decentralized teams.
DATs aim to expand Solana’s ecosystem using resources efficiently.
Foundation’s role may evolve as ecosystem decentralizes.

Solana is shifting toward a more decentralized future, and the Foundation is fully on board. According to the Head of Product Marketing at the Solana Foundation, the next wave of growth will come from Decentralized Autonomous Teams (DATs) that will actively compete—even with the Foundation itself—to build and scale the ecosystem.

This marks a significant evolution in how Solana envisions growth: not just from a central authority, but from a wide network of self-organizing teams who are mission-aligned and resourceful.

What Are DATs and Why Do They Matter?

DATs, or Decentralized Autonomous Teams, are independent groups of builders, marketers, and developers operating on the Solana network. These teams are not controlled by any central body, including the Foundation. Instead, they are funded through grants, DAO voting, or other decentralized means, and they set their own goals to contribute to the ecosystem.

The Head of Product Marketing’s recent statement underlines a shift in mindset. “The largest $SOL DATs will compete with Solana Foundation to efficiently grow the ecosystem with resources,” he said—implying that these teams are not just supporting players, but key drivers of innovation and expansion.

NOW: Head of Product Marketing for the Solana Foundation is bullish.

"The largest $SOL DATs will compete with Solana Foundation to efficiently grow the ecosystem with resources…" pic.twitter.com/Fqrovuki4l
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) September 20, 2025

A Sign of Solana’s Maturing Ecosystem

This competition is seen as a healthy sign of decentralization. Rather than one entity dictating the network’s direction, multiple players will now bring ideas, attract developers, and foster adoption. It also ensures that innovation isn’t bottlenecked by centralized decision-making.

If the DAT model succeeds, the Solana Foundation may eventually step back, allowing community-led teams to take the lead in ecosystem development. This aligns with Solana’s broader vision of becoming a truly decentralized, scalable blockchain.