Solana’s “Blinks” Bring Crypto Transactions to Any Website

The Solana Foundation recently introduced a groundbreaking feature, Solana Actions and blockchain links, also known as “blinks,” which facilitates blockchain transactions from any website via a shareable URL.

Announced on June 25, this innovative capability allows websites to host an interface where users can execute Solana transactions without needing to leave the page, revolutionizing the way cryptocurrency functions are integrated across the web.

Simplifying Blockchain Transactions

This development simplifies the process of performing blockchain transactions, which traditionally required navigating complex apps or interfaces. By enabling a straightforward transaction interface through a URL, Solana is broadening the accessibility and appeal of cryptocurrency operations.

The potential applications for this feature are extensive, ranging from crowdfunding and online purchases to onchain voting directly through various websites.

Solana Actions transform any transaction into a blockchain link that can be embedded and shared anywhere on the internet, without relying on third-party applications.

This means users can initiate transactions through direct actions like requesting payments via text messages, voting on governance directly in chatrooms, or buying NFTs on social media platforms.

Chris Osborn, the founder of Dialect, which provides the developer tooling for Actions such as self-hosted interstitial signing sites and software development kits, commented on the extensive capabilities facilitated by this new feature.

According to Osborn, users can now seamlessly conduct a variety of blockchain activities directly from their social media feeds—such as buying NFTs, tipping creators, receiving payments, and more—thus enhancing the interactive experience on digital platforms.

Expanding Blockchain Interactions to Physical Settings

Moreover, the use of Solana Actions isn’t confined to virtual spaces. Physical QR codes can also incorporate blinks, allowing for onchain interactions in physical settings, which considerably expands the reach and utility of blockchain technology.

Jon Wong, head of ecosystem engineering at the Solana Foundation, noted that with the integration of Actions and blinks, any online platform or application can serve as a point of distribution for onchain interactions, thereby decentralizing the accessibility of blockchain technologies.

In terms of security, the Solana Foundation has outlined a safety roadmap for the deployment of Actions and blinks. Users will have the option to connect their digital wallets to facilitate these transactions, akin to how they connect with decentralized applications (DApps).

This feature employs a standard security protocol where a “connect to site” prompt is presented during the first transaction attempt from an unfamiliar application programming interface or API.

The foundation advises users to trust sites with previously connected domains, as is common practice with DApps, ensuring that all Action transactions are simulated prior to execution to safeguard user assets.

To further enhance security at the launch, the foundation has restricted the implementation to whitelisted domains from Solana’s partners, which include notable names like Jupiter, Helium, Truffle, Phantom, and Backpack.

This controlled rollout helps maintain the integrity and security of the transactions while the feature is introduced to a broader audience.

Solana’s Growing Dominance in the Blockchain Space

The introduction of Solana Actions and blinks comes at a time when Solana’s blockchain is experiencing increased activity and visibility. Recognized for its comparatively lower transaction fees, the platform has become a hub for memecoins and decentralized infrastructure protocols.

According to a recent report from venture firm Pantera Capital, Solana accounted for over 60% of the new volume on decentralized exchanges in May alone. By May 2024, Solana represented 85% of all new tokens appearing on DEXs, a significant increase from the previous year.

This surge reflects Solana’s growing dominance in retail cryptocurrency usage, which is further facilitated by the innovative features like Solana Actions and blinks that streamline user interactions and expand the blockchain’s reach and usability.