ARK Invest Appoints SOL Strategies for Solana Staking Operations
Key takeaways
- ARK Invest names SOL Strategies as its exclusive Solana staking provider.
- Around 3.59 million SOL (approximately $650 million) are now delegated through the firm’s validator infrastructure.
- Just 12% of delegated assets come from ARK’s own treasury; the rest are from third-party clients.
- Validator operations are supported by BitGo’s institutional custody services.
- SOL Strategies reported a $3.5 million net loss in Q2 2025 but saw a notable increase in staking revenue.
- The firm is currently preparing for a Nasdaq listing as part of its long-term growth plan.
ARK Invest strengthens its Solana strategy
ARK Invest has officially partnered with SOL Strategies to manage all Solana staking activities for its Digital Asset Revolutions Fund. This fund, which has been active since 2020, focuses on a concentrated portfolio of high-conviction crypto assets, with the aim of capturing long-term growth across full market cycles.
The new partnership allows ARK to outsource the technical aspects of staking while maintaining strong compliance and operational control. Solana remains one of the fund’s core holdings, and the move reflects a broader push to secure yield through delegated staking without compromising on reliability or transparency.
Over $650 million in SOL now under management
As part of the agreement, ARK will delegate approximately 3.59 million SOL to validators operated by SOL Strategies. Based on current Solana market prices, that stake is worth around $650 million. The assets are distributed across more than 5,700 unique wallets, with only 12% coming from ARK’s internal treasury.
The remainder of the delegated stake originates from third-party institutions and enterprise clients. This highlights a growing institutional appetite for Solana-based staking solutions that offer scalable, compliant infrastructure.
To support secure asset management, BitGo will handle custody, keeping staking and storage functions operationally separate. This approach is becoming increasingly standard for institutions that must meet strict governance and audit requirements.
Solana staking offers rewards with risk
Solana operates on an epoch-based staking model, with rewards typically distributed every two to three days. For institutional investors, this structure provides recurring yield potential in addition to any underlying price appreciation.
However, staking comes with operational risks. If a validator experiences downtime or commits protocol violations, the staked assets can be slashed. This makes high-uptime, professionally managed validators critical for protecting client capital.
By outsourcing validator infrastructure to SOL Strategies, ARK mitigates these risks while maintaining exposure to on-chain rewards. The model reflects a growing trend of separating core investment decisions from technical execution.
SOL Strategies grows despite Q2 loss
SOL Strategies recently reported a net loss of $3.5 million for the second quarter of 2025. Despite the deficit, the company saw meaningful growth in validator activity and revenue generation.
Its infrastructure currently supports five enterprise-grade validators. In addition to ARK, the firm serves a range of asset managers and crypto-native clients. SOL Strategies has also expanded its presence through the acquisition of analytics tools like Stakewiz and partnerships with NFT-linked validators, such as PENGU with Pudgy Penguins.
The company has announced plans to go public via a Nasdaq listing. A share consolidation is already underway as it aligns its capital structure with U.S. regulatory requirements. The ARK mandate strengthens SOL’s institutional credibility and positions the firm for broader adoption.
Institutions accelerate crypto staking adoption
ARK’s decision to centralize staking through a dedicated partner reflects a larger trend across the digital asset space. Institutions are increasingly seeking yield strategies that combine technical strength with regulatory alignment.
With more than 400 million SOL currently staked across the network, Solana has become a preferred option for institutions interested in high-performance blockchain exposure. Structured staking, supported by professional infrastructure and custody solutions, is emerging as a key pillar of institutional crypto strategies.
Conclusion
This partnership underscores the convergence of traditional asset management and decentralized finance infrastructure. For ARK, it ensures reliable access to Solana staking rewards while minimizing risk. For SOL Strategies, the mandate validates its institutional focus and reinforces its roadmap toward public-market scale.
As regulatory clarity improves and crypto infrastructure matures, more firms are likely to follow suit, bridging capital markets with the core economics of Proof-of-Stake networks.
