Solana News Today: ARK Invest selects SOL Strategies to stake $647 million Solana under institutional-grade framework

ARK Invest has selected Canada-based SOL Strategies as its exclusive staking provider for the Digital Assets Revolutions Fund, a strategic move reflecting the asset manager’s commitment to institutional-grade crypto yield strategies. The partnership, revealed in mid-July 2025, involves staking 3.59 million Solana (SOL) tokens—valued at over $647 million as of July 2025—leveraging SOL Strategies’ validator infrastructure integrated with BitGo’s custody platform [2][5][6]. This transition consolidates ARK’s validator operations under a scalable, enterprise-grade framework, aiming to enhance staking returns and security [4][7].

SOL Strategies, a Toronto-based blockchain infrastructure firm, operates five active validators with 3.59M SOL staked. Of this, only 12% is internally funded, with the remainder sourced from third-party delegations across 5,700 wallets. The firm’s validator rewards, distributed every 2–3 days under Solana’s epoch system, have grown despite a $3.5 million net loss reported in Q2 2025. This operational expansion, including a broader delegation base, secured the ARK partnership, offering visibility in institutional staking [3][4]. Leah Wald, CEO of SOL Strategies, emphasized the partnership’s significance in validating regulated validator services tailored for institutional clients [1].

ARK’s adoption of this infrastructure underscores a broader trend of institutional investors prioritizing technical expertise and custodial security in staking arrangements. The firm, known for its aggressive bets on disruptive technologies, has previously supported Solana and Ethereum staking products via 3iQ. By aligning with SOL Strategies, ARK reinforces its role as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto-native strategies, targeting blockchain-driven yields through its Digital Assets Revolutions Fund [1][7].

Analysts highlight that Solana’s high throughput and low transaction costs have attracted significant capital, making it a strategic focus for institutional players. ARK’s decision to centralize validator responsibilities with a single partner signals confidence in mitigating risks such as network outages, which are critical for maintaining staking rewards and network security [2][4]. The partnership also reflects maturation in the staking market, where specialized firms like SOL Strategies address complexities in validator management and custody. As more institutional players seek yield, competition is expected to intensify, with transparency and scalability becoming key differentiators [3][4].

The collaboration aligns with growing regulatory interest in structured staking products. ARK’s prior backing of SEC-compliant staking instruments underscores its focus on integrating crypto yields into regulated portfolios. While the immediate impact on Solana’s price remains uncertain, the scale of staked assets—over $647 million—signals a shift toward prioritizing operational efficiency and technical execution in crypto investing [5][6].

SOL Strategies’ ability to secure a high-profile partner amid a financial setback demonstrates institutional confidence in its infrastructure. The firm’s operational growth, despite Q2 losses, highlights its capacity to attract third-party delegations and expand its validator network. For ARK, the partnership aligns with its long-term strategy of capturing yields across market cycles, leveraging Solana’s ecosystem as a key component of its digital asset portfolio [1][7].

Sources:

[1] Cointelegraph, [https://cointelegraph.com/news/cathie-wood-ark-sol-strategies-staking-services](https://cointelegraph.com/news/cathie-wood-ark-sol-strategies-staking-services)

[2] Cryptonews, [https://cryptonews.com/news/ark-invest-picks-sol-strategies-3-6m-sol-staking/](https://cryptonews.com/news/ark-invest-picks-sol-strategies-3-6m-sol-staking/)

[3] XT.com, [https://www.xt.com/en/blog/post/ark-invest-shifts-solana-validator-operations-to-sol-strategies-amid-rising-institutional-interest](https://www.xt.com/en/blog/post/ark-invest-shifts-solana-validator-operations-to-sol-strategies-amid-rising-institutional-interest)

[4] Mitrade, [https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-992588-20250729](https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-992588-20250729)

[5] AInvest, [https://www.ainvest.com/news/solana-news-today-ark-invest-partners-sol-strategies-3-6m-sol-staking-institutionalize-crypto-staking-services-2507/](https://www.ainvest.com/news/solana-news-today-ark-invest-partners-sol-strategies-3-6m-sol-staking-institutionalize-crypto-staking-services-2507/)

[6] bloomingbit, [https://bloomingbit.io/en/feed/news/93743](https://bloomingbit.io/en/feed/news/93743)

[7] Coinfomania, [https://coinfomania.com/ark-invest-sol-staking/](https://coinfomania.com/ark-invest-sol-staking/)