Solana Foundation Enhances Network Decentralization with Validator Strategy Overhaul
The Solana Foundation is taking significant steps to strengthen network decentralization by revamping its validator delegation program. This strategic shift aims to reduce dependency on foundation support and promote self-sufficiency among validators. As of April 24, 2025, the foundation will remove three long-term validators for every new validator admitted to the Solana Foundation Delegation Program (SFDP), targeting operators who have relied on foundation support for over 18 months and failed to attract at least 1,000 SOL in external stake. This move underscores Solana’s commitment to a more decentralized and robust network.
Solana Foundation Revamps Validator Strategy to Boost Network Decentralization
The Solana Foundation is implementing a strategic shift in its validator delegation program, replacing dependency with self-sufficiency. For every new validator admitted to the Solana Foundation Delegation Program (SFDP), three long-term validators failing to attract at least 1,000 SOL in external stake will be removed. This purge targets operators reliant on foundation support for over 18 months.
Internal research reveals 57% of Solana validators risk failure without foundation backing, highlighting systemic fragility. The policy aims to elevate the network’s Nakamoto Coefficient—a measure of decentralization—by forcing validators to cultivate independent stake. "This isn’t austerity, it’s evolution," says Ben Hawkins, Head of Staking Ecosystem. The foundation bets that pain today will yield a more resilient Solana tomorrow.
DeFi Development Corp Expands Solana Holdings in Strategic Crypto Pivot
DeFi Development Corp, the rebranded entity formerly known as Janover, has aggressively increased its Solana treasury with a $9.9 million purchase of 65,305 SOL. The Nasdaq-listed company now holds 317,273 SOL, cementing its strategic shift toward cryptocurrency markets following a takeover by former Kraken executives.
The move continues a buying spree that began in April, when the company acquired 88,164 SOL for $11.5 million—a transaction that immediately boosted its stock price by 12%. The accumulation signals growing institutional confidence in Solana’s ecosystem as traditional finance entities deepen their crypto exposure.
US Prosecutors Seek 6-8 Year Prison Sentence for Mango Markets Exploiter Avi Eisenberg
Avraham "Avi" Eisenberg, the perpetrator behind the $100 million exploit of Solana-based DeFi platform Mango Markets, faces a potential 78-97 month prison term. Federal prosecutors filed sentencing recommendations on April 22, characterizing the October 2022 incident as premeditated fraud rather than legitimate arbitrage.
The sentencing memorandum emphasizes the case’s significance as a warning to bad actors in decentralized finance. Eisenberg’s separate guilty plea in a child exploitation case contributed to the harsh sentencing request, though prosecutors maintain the Mango Markets charges stand independently.
This development comes as the Solana ecosystem continues grappling with the aftermath of high-profile exploits, testing DeFi’s resilience during a period of renewed institutional interest in blockchain infrastructure.
Solana Price Prediction Amid Heavy Liquidation Risk
Solana continues to dominate as the top performer among the top 10 cryptocurrencies, riding the bullish market wave. The asset surged past the $145 resistance level, peaking at $153 amid heightened trading activity. This rally marks an 8.96% gain in a single session, fueled by broader market Optimism following President Trump’s tariff easing and renewed U.S.-China trade talks.
Leverage traders face mounting risks as Solana’s upward trajectory since April 7 gains additional momentum. The cryptocurrency’s technical strength is evident, but overextended positions could trigger sharp liquidations if sentiment shifts. market participants are weighing macroeconomic catalysts against technical thresholds, with $145 now acting as a critical support zone.
