Solana Co-Founder Sued by Ex-Wife Over Millions in Staked SOL Tokens

Stephen Akridge, the co-founder of Solana, is facing a lawsuit filed by his ex-wife, Elisa Rossi, who accuses him of secretly profiting from millions of dollars in staking rewards tied to Solana (SOL) tokens she claims are hers. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court on December 24, 2024, alleges that Akridge earned substantial rewards by staking SOL tokens from a wallet he controlled, without Rossi’s knowledge or consent.

Allegations of Deception and Secret Staking

Rossi’s legal complaint centers around an alleged scheme where Akridge, Solana Labs’ former principal engineer and current CEO of cybersecurity firm Cyber Grant, continued to stake SOL tokens belonging to Rossi after their divorce in March 2024. According to the suit, their divorce agreement specified that the SOL tokens they owned would be split between them. However, Rossi claims Akridge exploited his technical expertise in cryptocurrencies to maintain control over the tokens and keep earning staking rewards.

Rossi’s complaint details how Akridge gave her only limited access to the tokens, providing her with authority over three accounts containing SOL. This setup, Rossi argues, allowed Akridge to secretly continue staking her tokens and earning millions of dollars in rewards until she uncovered the alleged fraud in May 2024.

Millions in Staking Rewards at Stake

The lawsuit does not specify the exact number of SOL tokens involved or the total amount of staking rewards allegedly taken. However, the filing does mention that the sum exceeds $25,000, and an accompanying request to seal parts of the lawsuit points to “significant sums at issue.” The timing of the dispute is notable, as Solana reached an all-time high of $263 per token last month, though it still retains an impressive 80% increase in value this year, trading at $194.

Staking SOL tokens is a common practice within the Solana blockchain ecosystem. In this process, users lock up their tokens to help validate transactions on the blockchain, earning rewards in return. Given the significant rewards generated through staking, the ongoing dispute over these assets could have substantial financial implications.

Rossi’s Attempts to Recover the Staking Rewards

In her complaint, Rossi claims that after discovering the alleged misappropriation of the staking rewards, she sent Akridge “no less than a dozen” text messages between May and December 2024, urging him to return the funds. However, she alleges that Akridge dismissed her requests, at one point reportedly laughing in her face and telling her, “good luck getting those staking rewards from me.”

The lawsuit paints a picture of a contentious dispute, with Rossi seeking to recover the rewards she believes were wrongfully taken. However, Akridge has not publicly responded to the accusations. Attempts to reach him for comment via LinkedIn were unsuccessful, and there has been no information available regarding his legal representation.

The Broader Context: Solana’s Growing Popularity

The lawsuit comes at a time when Solana has been experiencing a resurgence, benefiting from various crypto trends, including the rise of memecoins. As Solana continues to play a key role in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, the legal battle between Akridge and Rossi underscores the complex issues surrounding digital assets and staking rewards. It also highlights the power dynamics that can arise when significant sums of money are involved, particularly when one party holds a technical advantage in navigating blockchain systems.

As the case moves forward, both parties will likely face increasing scrutiny, not only over the specific allegations but also regarding the broader implications for Solana’s community and the future of staking rewards in the cryptocurrency space.