Solana News Today: Post-Custody Crisis, DeFi and Banks Unite for Secure Staking Solution

Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, has extended institutional custody support to Bybit's staked Solana token (bbSOL), marking a significant step in bridging decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional banking standards, according to Coinfomania. The partnership positions bbSOL as an institutional-grade liquid staking token (LST), offering regulated entities secure access to Solana's staking yields while maintaining liquidity, as reported by Blockonomi. Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, said the integration aligns with its mission to provide compliant DeFi solutions to institutional investors, according to WalletInvestor.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of crypto custody practices following the collapse of Nevada-based custodians like Fortress Trust and Prime Trust. Regulators shut down Fortress Trust in October 2025, citing insolvency and mismanagement that left clients with over $12 million in losses, according to EthNews. The failure underscored systemic risks in centralized custody, where users entrust private keys to third parties, exposing assets to operational and insolvency risks, per CryptoRank. Analysts note that institutions are increasingly favoring custodians under robust regulatory frameworks, such as federally chartered banks or New York-licensed trusts, which enforce segregation of assets and rigorous audits.

Bybit's bbSOL allows users to stake Solana (SOL) and receive tokenized rewards without locking their funds, preserving liquidity, as Coinfomania reported. However, institutional adoption has been hindered by custody concerns and regulatory uncertainty. Anchorage Digital's involvement addresses these gaps by providing bank-grade security, insurance, and compliance oversight, Blockonomi noted. The custodian's infrastructure ensures that bbSOL holdings are safeguarded under U.S. federal banking supervision, reducing counterparty risks for asset managers and enterprises, according to WalletInvestor. Emily Bao, Bybit's Head of Spot, emphasized that the partnership offers a "compliant and transparent entry point" into Solana's DeFi ecosystem.

The collaboration reflects a broader industry shift toward regulated custody solutions. Post-Fortress Trust, exchanges and fintechs are prioritizing frameworks that mandate segregation of assets, audit trails, and sub-custody approvals, as the CryptoRank analysis observed. Anchorage Digital's support for bbSOL aligns with this trend, enabling institutions to participate in on-chain yield generation without compromising security. Nathan McCauley, CEO of Anchorage Digital, called the integration a "major leap" in institutional DeFi adoption.

Meanwhile, the Solana ecosystem continues to attract institutional interest. Recent launches of staking-enabled ETFs, such as Grayscale's GSOL, have further legitimized digital assets as part of diversified portfolios. Bybit's bbSOL, now backed by Anchorage's custody, could accelerate this momentum, Coinfomania said.

As the crypto industry navigates regulatory and operational challenges, partnerships like this highlight the growing convergence between DeFi and traditional finance. With custodians like Anchorage Digital playing a central role, the path to mainstream institutional adoption appears clearer, albeit with continued emphasis on security, transparency, and compliance.