Solana Mobile is just getting started (w/ Anatoly Yakovenko)

Chain Reaction

For this week’s episode, Jacquelyn interviewed Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana Labs, the technology company that aims to help grow the ecosystem for the layer-1 blockchain Solana.

The conversation focused on Solana Mobile and its flagship web3 Android smartphone, Saga, which sold out in mid-December, as well as its new phone, Chapter 2 – which was announced last week.

Within its first 30 hours Chapter 2 had over 30,000 preorders – signaling a lot of demand for the next generation Android-based phone. At the time of recording, Anatoly shared there were over 40,000 preorders.

Anatoly and Jacquelyn discussed the long road to selling out Saga, how important rewards and developers are and the nitty gritty details for Chapter 2. They also dove into the company’s strategy and long-term mission of going up against Google and Apple app stores and how long it may take for Solana Mobile to breakeven.

If you need a refresher on Solana Mobile’s Saga phone, we’ve got you covered:

• Buying frenzy for Solana Mobile’s second phone drives preorders sky-high
• Ring ring, Solana’s web3-focused Saga phone is calling
• Solana’s web3 phone is an ‘opportunity’ against Google and Apple, co-founder says

(0:00) Solana mobile background information

(1:51) Launching Solana Mobile

(6:17) Benefits of building on the DApp sotre

(8:14) Saga phone and developer revenue

(12:46) Reward models for adoption

(15:07) Launching Chapter 2

(23:28) Solana's Mobile Strategy

(24:35) Crypto and digital self custody

25:52) What's next for Solana Mobile

Chain Reaction comes out every Thursday at 12:00 p.m. ET, so be sure to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite pod platform to keep up with the action.