A legal battle is unfolding between Stephen Akridge, co-founder of Solana, and his ex-wife Elisa Rossi, who alleges that Akridge misappropriated substantial gains from her Solana (SOL) tokens. According to a complaint filed by Rossi, Akridge used his expertise in crypto and blockchain to siphon off staking rewards from her digital wallet, resulting in “millions of dollars” in lost income.
Background on the Dispute
Rossi claims that Akridge controlled her accounts from March to May and reaped 100% of the staking commissions allocated to her SOL holdings. The exact value of the disputed tokens remains undisclosed, but Rossi has described the sums as “significant.” The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and fraud, and seeks damages for the financial losses incurred.
Akridge’s Involvement in Solana
Akridge was a principal engineer at Solana and played a key role in developing the blockchain platform alongside co-founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal. He is now the CEO of Cyber Grant, a California-based cybersecurity firm. The couple filed for divorce in February 2023 after a decade of marriage.
Liquid Staking Growth on Solana
The dispute highlights the growing importance of liquid staking on Solana. According to different platforms, staking SOL tokens grants an annual percentage yield (APY) ranging from 5.6% to 12%. Liquid staking platforms, such as Jito, allow users to boost their yields and generate proxy tokens that can be used on different decentralized finance protocols. The liquid staking market represents roughly 50% of Solana’s entire TVL, with Jito’s TVL approaching $2.7 billion.
No Public Comment from Parties Involved
Solana Labs and attorneys representing Akridge and Rossi have not commented publicly on the matter. The case is ongoing, with Rossi seeking damages for the alleged misappropriation of her crypto gains.
Source: Cryptoslate.com
