- DeFi Development Corp holds 400K SOL, using staking and DeFi protocols to outperform passive ETFs restricted from direct blockchain engagement.
- Acquiring a $3.5M Solana validator enables self-staking operations, aiming to boost revenue and SOL-per-share holdings for investors.
Solana (SOL) is currently trading at $179.42, marking a +3.35% daily gain, supported by strong technical momentum and high-profile ecosystem integrations.
Over the past month, SOL has rallied +31.58%, making it one of the top-performing Layer 1 tokens. Despite this surge, it’s still -4.85% year-to-date and -30.16% over the past 6 months, showing that the recovery phase is still unfolding after earlier macro-driven sell-offs.
Technically, SOL has established solid support above $165, has successfully cleared key resistance at $170 and $172, and is now consolidating above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level. If bullish volume persists, the next major resistance lies at $186–$191, with a breakout path to $200+.
If price retraces, support sits at $168 and $164, with downside risk toward $154 only if those levels break.
The bullish sentiment is also driven by multiple breaking ecosystem updates:
- R3, a major enterprise blockchain firm (known for Corda), has announced a partnership with Solana to tokenize over $10 billion in real-world assets, including bonds and securities, signaling a major institutional shift.
- Ledger has launched a Solana-branded hardware wallet, boosting user accessibility and SPL token compatibility across the ecosystem.
- Kraken Exchange is preparing to launch tokenized stock trading on Solana, indicating exchange confidence in Solana’s throughput and performance.
These developments position Solana not just as a DeFi or NFT platform, but as an infrastructure for real-world financial systems. Analysts from ETHNews note that if momentum holds, Solana could challenge its all-time high of $295, especially as capital rotates from Ethereum and meme coins into higher utility platforms.
DeFi Development Corp Expands SOL Holdings, Pursues Active Treasury Strategy
DeFi Development Corp has increased its exposure to the Solana blockchain, currently holding over 400,000 SOL tokens. The move follows the company’s shift from real estate software toward a crypto-focused capital strategy.
According to Pantera Capital’s Marco Santori, the firm’s direct use of decentralized finance protocols sets it apart from traditional exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are subject to tighter constraints.
Unlike ETFs, which are typically restricted from staking and protocol-level activities, DeFi Development Corp operates with more flexibility. The company is able to allocate assets across DeFi platforms, take part in staking, and execute treasury decisions that respond directly to market conditions. These actions are intended to increase a metric the firm refers to as “Solana-per-share”—its internal gauge of asset value tied to SOL.
In addition to its current holdings, the company has outlined plans to purchase a Solana validator business for $3.5 million. This acquisition is intended to support in-house staking, which may improve yield and reduce reliance on external validators. By managing its own validator, the firm would gain more control over reward structures and operational costs.
Regulatory uncertainty still surrounds the ETF market
The SEC has not approved any spot Solana ETFs, and it has yet to decide whether crypto ETFs can engage in staking. These unresolved issues limit what passive investment vehicles can do within blockchain systems, giving firms like DeFi Development Corp more space to experiment.
SOL, the native token of the Solana network, trades at approximately $178. At this level, the firm’s holdings are valued at over $68 million. The strategy, according to Santori, aligns with a model of active participation in blockchain protocols rather than relying on indirect financial exposure.
