Solana (SOL) has put up a brand advertisement on the exterior wall of a high-rise building in central Shanghai and moved to expand its local developer ecosystem. With cryptocurrency trading strictly restricted in mainland China, the move is seen as an effort to broaden market touchpoints by emphasising blockchain technology and infrastructure rather than token trading.

On Oct. 15, blockchain media outlet CoinPost reported that Solana and the Solana Foundation broadcast a video advertisement on the exterior wall of Citigroup Tower in Lujiazui in Shanghai on the night of Oct. 14. Solana officials also released photos of its Shanghai office to publicise local activity.

The move is drawing attention as it intersects with China's regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency trading and speculation are banned in mainland China, but blockchain technology research and development and developer-focused activities are carried out separately. Solana appears to be focusing on technology development, infrastructure building and expanding its developer network rather than directly promoting trading.

A key base for local activity is the 'Solana Shanghai Builder Station' established in March. The space, located in Alibaba's Shanghai Hongqiao Center, was introduced as a co-working and incubation hub for developers and founders. It is known to have been created with support from relevant authorities in Minhang district. Lily Liu and other Solana Foundation officials said they secured a commercial office space located on the world's highest floor in Shanghai.

Rachel Conlan, chief strategy officer at the Solana Foundation, also released images of the Shanghai office and the downtown advertisement to publicise the push into the local market. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (창펑 자오) expressed surprise that Solana could advertise in China and even operate an office there. He said, "BNB Chain has not yet reached a similar level of rollout," and added, "I hope such operating conditions expand to other operators as well."

The downtown advertisement was carried out ahead of the opening of an event for Chinese developers called 'Solana Accelerate China'. The event is set to cover various topics including blockchain infrastructure and developer tools, artificial intelligence (AI) agents, robots and payments. Solana said it is also deliberately avoiding activities intended to promote token trading at the event.

The event will be held in Shanghai on Oct. 16, followed by Hangzhou on Oct. 18, Shenzhen on Oct. 20 and Beijing on Oct. 22. Solana plans to increase touchpoints with developers in multiple cities and expand the foundation for technology collaboration in China.

The move shows a trend in China in which cryptocurrency-related businesses seek local touchpoints through technology development and ecosystem building rather than trade-centred expansion. It remains to be seen how much actual developer collaboration and business footholds expand after the event, and whether other blockchain projects will also broaden their activities in China in similar ways.

It's amazing to see that Solana was able to advertise and even get an office in China. @BNBChain was not able to do this, so far. Hopefully, what's good for one industry player is also good for the rest.