Solana has established a physical presence in China by opening a Builder Station in Shanghai. The office, located at the Hongqiao Alibaba Center, officially launched on March 20, 2026, with support from the local government of the Minhang District.
The project serves as a long-term base for collaboration on Layer 1 infrastructure and related applications. Solana executives, including Chief Product Officer Vibhu and Foundation President Lily Liu, highlighted the location on October 14, 2026.
To navigate China's strict regulations on virtual currencies, the initiative focuses exclusively on technology infrastructure, AI, and robotics. The strategy avoids direct token promotion to engage local engineers and companies.
The company is also conducting the Solana Accelerate China tour from October 16 to 22, 2026. The tour includes stops in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing to connect with the developer community.
In contrast to Solana's recent expansion, no similar physical presence has been reported for BNB Chain in the region. The success of the strategy will be measured by future developer activity and local partnerships.
