ARK Invest Joins Forces with SOL Strategies to Supercharge Solana Validator Network

Wall Street meets Web3 as Cathie Wood's ARK Invest locks arms with SOL Strategies—Solana's validator ops just got institutional firepower.

Why it matters: This isn't your grandma's staking pool. The partnership signals growing confidence in Solana's infrastructure from traditional finance players, despite the network's past growing pains.

The validator play: Expect turbocharged node performance and security upgrades as ARK brings its ETF-scale resources to Solana's proof-of-stake mechanics. SOL Strategies gets the institutional stamp of approval it's been chasing since the last bull run.

Between the lines: Somewhere in Manhattan, a hedge fund manager is still explaining to his limited partners why 'blockchain validators' aren't actually maintenance workers.

TLDR

• ARK Invest taps SOL Strategies to manage Solana validator operations.
• ARK shifts Solana staking to boost yield via SOL Strategies’ infrastructure.
• Institutional Solana staking rises as ARK partners with SOL Strategies.
• SOL Strategies secures ARK deal despite Q2 loss, citing validator growth.
• ARK’s move echoes broader institutional push for crypto staking income.

ARK Invest has appointed Canada-based SOL Strategies as its exclusive staking provider for the ARK Digital Assets Revolutions Fund. This strategic shift will transition ARK’s solana validator operations to SOL Strategies’ infrastructure platform. The decision reflects ARK’s intent to optimize staking yields through enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure.

Solana: ARK Invest Shifts Validator Operations to SOL Strategies

ARK Invest selected SOL Strategies to manage validator duties for its Digital Assets Revolutions Fund, marking a notable operational shift. The fund, which holds between 10 and 12 cryptocurrencies, aims to generate returns over full market cycles. ARK will now operate through SOL Strategies’ validator network, integrated with BitGo’s institutional custody systems.

🚨 ALERT 🚨@ARKInvest Digital Asset Revolutions Fund has selected SOL Strategies as their new Solana staking provider.@CathieDWood and her team chose our enterprise-grade infrastructure to power their institutional staking operations.

This is validation. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/qLpwkQiPlu

— SOL Strategies (@solstrategies_) July 28, 2025

SOL Strategies operates five Solana validators, handling over 3.59 million SOL, with only 12% sourced from internal treasury funds. The rest comes from third-party delegations, covering more than 5,700 unique wallets across the network. ARK’s validator integration increases operational scale and reliability within the Solana ecosystem.

Solana validators earn staking rewards every two to three days, following the blockchain’s epoch structure. The MOVE allows ARK to secure yield and maintain participation in Solana’s decentralized infrastructure.

Staking Momentum Grows with Institutional Adoption

ARK Invest’s decision highlights a growing trend among asset managers seeking regulated access to blockchain-based income strategies. Staking rewards offer structured income opportunities in tandem with potential asset price appreciation. The partnership adds momentum to the broader institutional engagement with Solana staking and validator infrastructure.

SOL Strategies reported a $3.5 million net loss in Q2 2025, though its validator revenue has grown substantially over recent quarters. Despite the short-term financial result, the company expanded its infrastructure and third-party delegation base. This operational maturity positioned it to attract larger clients like ARK.

Institutional staking carries risks, particularly through validator misbehavior that may lead to slashed funds. SOL Strategies’ partnership with BitGo enhances operational security and custody management. ARK’s adoption of these services signals confidence in the combined infrastructure’s reliability.

Ethereum: Broader Institutional Staking Trends Extend Beyond Solana

ARK’s shift aligns with a wider pattern of digital asset firms seeking exposure to ethereum staking. Multiple firms have filed applications with the SEC to approve Ethereum ETFs with income-generating features, reflecting the rising demand for yield-oriented blockchain products.

ARK previously supported staking-focused products from 3iQ, including Solana and Ethereum ETFs. These products aim to package staking yields into compliant investment vehicles for structured portfolio inclusion. The firm’s strategy emphasizes long-term staking as a primary income mechanism in crypto portfolios.

Family offices, asset managers, and hedge funds are increasingly looking for regulatory clarity in digital asset products. Structured notes, staking-enabled ETFs, and public equities are becoming more common routes to digital asset exposure. ARK’s partnership further legitimizes staking as a key function within institutional crypto adoption.