SOL Strategies CEO Leah Wald outlined how Solana-focused digital asset treasury companies can drive institutional adoption and exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows.

In an interview with CryptoSlate, Wald noted that multiple Solana treasury companies create a “rising tide” effect similar to Bitcoin miners benefiting alongside Bitcoin ETF inflows.

She noted the parallel between Bitcoin ecosystem dynamics, where miners receive inflows alongside spot and futures ETFs, suggesting similar potential for Solana-focused companies.

Wald explained:

“You’ve always seen that in the past where miners get inflows, like Bitcoin miners. ETF gets inflows alongside Bitcoin spot and Bitcoin futures ETFs get inflows.”

She described the phenomenon as retail investors choosing different products based on enthusiasm, while institutions prefer ETFs for tax advantages and custody structures.

Wald acknowledged widespread market expectations for a spot or staked spot Solana ETF under a 33 Act wrapper, viewing this development as part of a broader rising tide of product offerings.

She emphasized that treasury companies must operate respectfully to maintain industry credibility while benefiting from expanding product availability.

Bloomberg ETF analysts expect an approval in October, when most of the spot Solana ETF filings will meet their final deadline with the SEC.

DAT dynamics

Addressing concerns about digital asset treasury (DAT) company valuations, Wald acknowledged that many firms that added Bitcoin now trade at discounts to multiple of Bitcoin NAV (mNAV), including Bitcoin miners.

A Sept. 2 report by Grayscale highlighted a decreasing mNAV for DAT companies, suggesting a cooling of interest from investors.

However, she expressed confidence that SOL Strategies’ dual approach as both a technology company and treasury accumulator provides competitive advantages during market downturns.

Wald stated:

“It does not scare us. I think it positions us in a position of strength because we’re the only ones running a real business and it’s a business that continues to accumulate and compound.”

She noted that discount trading environments place pressure on management teams to execute validator business models effectively rather than relying solely on asset appreciation.

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SOL Strategies differentiates itself by calling the company “DAT plus plus,” emphasizing technology development alongside treasury accumulation.

Wald described the firm as a technology company first, with treasury accumulation as a secondary function, contrasting with purely speculative treasury models.

SOL Strategies added SOL to its treasury and started trading on Nasdaq on Sept. 9 under the ticker STKE.

Infrastructure validation

Despite being the second-largest decentralized ecosystem, with over $12 billion in total value locked, Solana still represents a small fraction of the tokenization landscape.

Institutions deployed nearly $500 million using Solana’s infrastructure, representing 3.1% of this market. In comparison, Ethereum has a 52% dominance over tokenization efforts.

Wald sees institutional treasury companies as catalysts for closing this gap through education and validation efforts.

She explained:

“I do think that any ETF, like any well-respected issuer or well-respected company, anyone that puts boots on the ground on education is only going to help Solana, the network, grow and succeed.”

She emphasized validation and adoption benefits from proper educational initiatives about Solana’s technical advantages.

Wald stressed the significant institutional interest, including BlackRock’s plans to launch a yield fund on Solana alongside existing tokenized products from Apollo and Franklin Templeton.

She listed these developments as evidence of growing institutional recognition of Solana’s capabilities for tokenization and digital asset infrastructure.

Wald concluded by positioning treasury companies as educational ambassadors for Solana’s institutional adoption journey:

“It’s on all of us out there to educate why we think that it’s better, cheaper, faster, quicker, all those different merits to get there. Hopefully, with all the DAT leaders out there providing education, it should snowball.”

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Chainlink’s price is wrestling with key support near $21, a level that has drawn heavy attention from traders and institutions alike. Chainlink (LINK) was down 2% to $22.30 as selling pressure weighed on the token. The move comes at a time when derivatives activity in the asset has jumped sharply, raising both expectations of a rebound and the risk of further losses.

Related Reading

Institutional Pathway Through 21X

The network’s importance was reinforced after the launch of 21X, Europe’s first regulated tokenized securities platform. Approved under European rules, 21X connects financial institutions to blockchain infrastructure using Chainlink’s technology.

CEO Max Heinzle described Chainlink as a vital backbone for tokenized markets, stressing that global institutions are lining up behind tokenization projects. By building on a regulated platform, Chainlink gains credibility in bridging traditional finance with decentralized networks.

Europe’s first regulated tokenized securities platform 21X:

“The work that Chainlink is doing … with the involvement of the largest financial institutions in the world … could not be more at the forefront.”

Discover how tokenization is reshaping capital markets and why… pic.twitter.com/3SlmcNaWsA

— Chainlink (@chainlink) September 5, 2025

This development has been seen as a step toward establishing Chainlink as a core platform for tokenized assets. Its data feeds and interoperability features make it a practical link between standard securities and blockchain applications, adding momentum to its institutional appeal.

Support And Resistance Levels In Focus

Market watchers say LINK is testing major support at $22.10, with deeper support zones at $20.55 and $19. In a worst-case scenario, the coin could even revisit $17. On the upside, clearing the volume-weighted average price of $22.10 may open a path back to $24, and possibly $26, which marked the highs reached in August.

At the time of writing, LINK was trading at $23.17, up 0.3% and 1.9% in the daily and weekly timeframes, data from Coingecko shows.

Derivatives Market Points To Heavy Speculation

According to CoinGlass, LINK futures volume jumped 51% to over $2 billion. The increase in futures volume is in sync with open interest, whose numbers likewise soared over 2% to $1.5 billion. These increases show a sharp rise in speculative bets at current levels. Traders seem to be sitting tight, indicating anticipation of a decisive action over a pullback.

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There are warnings that the levels of leverage are so high that they will encourage volatility. If support is maintained, the bulls could be in charge to drive LINK to $26. But if it fails to hold present levels, liquidations and deeper losses could follow.

The coming sessions will be crucial. Chainlink, viewed as both a token and a critical piece of market infrastructure, now faces a battle around $22. How the price reacts here could determine whether optimism around institutional adoption translates into a sustained recovery, or if traders brace for another correction.

Featured image from 21x.eu, chart from TradingView

At Africa Crypto News this week, Ripple Crypto continues to expand its global presence in several partnerships, expanding its use of Stablecoin in Africa. Behind Ripple, among the most valuable coins is the XRP Crypto, far beyond Ada Crypto or Dogecoin Meme Coin. Ripple is also the publisher of RLUSD, a Stablecoin targeting agency.

On the West Coast, the Nigerian Senate is working with the national Blockchain Association to develop more crypto regulations. As cryptography adoptions take up steam, more countries in Africa are trying to regulate it. Kenya has made significant progress, and South Africa is ahead of the line as far as crypto regulations are concerned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xekjrrn2ca

Meanwhile, a chain dialysis study found a +52% increase in code usage in sub-Saharan Africa for the 12 months ended June 2025. More and more people are choosing mainly bitcoin and stupid things as hedges against local currency volatility and inflation.

Discover: Next 1000x ciphers: 10+ crypto tokens that can hit 1000X in 2025

Let’s take a look at these stories that make headlines for the continent this week:

Ripple Crypto News: RIPPLE Partners Fintechs promotes adoption of RLUSD

I have Ripple Expansion RLUSD stubcoin range on the African continent through partnerships with Chipper Cash, Valr and Yellow Cards.

RLUSD has a market capitalization of $799 million, and will provide a medium for humanitarian efforts to make cross-border payments more efficient.

(sauce: Co Ringecko))

Jack McDonald, senior vice president at Stablecoins, said he is excited to start rationing in Africa and is paying attention to the adoption of its worldwide.

“There is demand for RLUSD from customers and players from other institutions worldwide, and we are excited to start distribution in Africa through local partners. RLUSD has recently made it possible to pay for RIPPLE.

Local partnerships open up local markets where these payment platforms have achieved impressive growth rates.

(sauce: Whale Cinder, x))

Ripple is still looking to gain potential years after a problematic conflict with US regulators. XRP ▲0.91%.

24 hours7d30D1Yeverytime

Discover: Buy Now Over 12 Hottest Cryptos on Pre-Sale

Nigeria’s Crypto News: Senate is trying to create a replacement regulatory framework

Cooperation between the Nigerian Senate Committee on Capital Markets and the National Blockchain Association Create a better framework for regulating crypto exchanges.

Nigeria generally passed the capital markets law at the beginning of the year. Still, it takes more work to fine-tune the regulatory landscape. Once completed, this move can increase some flow Best Meme Coin ICO.

Obinna Iuno, president of the Blockchain Association, spoke about the need for Nigeria to seize the moment in her presentation to the committee.

“Here in Nigeria, we can’t afford to take the back seat after ranking second worldwide for cryptocurrency adoption….

Nigeria has been in a romantic relationship with the industry for the past few years.

I remember when Binance P2P was king of Nigeria,

After that there was a limit.

We jumped to Bibit etc.

P2P has become hell.
Fried funds
Blind
Breakfasts

For months, trading crypto felt like a punishment.

Recently I’ve been able to find out… pic.twitter.com/dksn5ydh3u

– defi bee (@defibee1_) August 21, 2025

However, the gradually emergence of clarity of regulations provides optimism of future certainty.

Discover: 20+ Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2025

African Crypto News: Chain Orisis Report points to a surge in crypto adoption

Cryptographic use in sub-Saharan regions I’ve grown +52% in the 12 months ending in June 2025.

This discovery was a study of chain analysis at a blockchain analytics company. Asia and Africa have had some of the most impressive increases in use, which was a factor in the global increase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_micxhhmxha

Spike has seen some of its key assets increase due to increased remittances and daily payments. The best cipher to buy. Most African countries have unstable currencies. So, unofficial encryption has steadily grown over the past decade to close the gap.

This opportunity is clear for crypto stakeholders like exchange operators. They can fill the gap in a timely manner by providing low-cost transactional media to users across the continent.

Discover: 9+ Best High Risk, High Reward Cryptographs for Buying in 2025

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Shared security protocols are positioning themselves as solutions to infrastructure challenges that have complicated institutional blockchain adoption due to unified security layers’ potential ability to reduce development costs and technical barriers for enterprises.

According to Symbiotic CEO Misha Putiatin, the shared security model allows organizations to leverage existing blockchain security infrastructure rather than building custom systems.

Shared security consists of a unified layer where users stake assets, and multiple applications can build upon that security-focused infrastructure. This structure enables institutions to address development timelines and allocate resources effectively.

In an interview with CryptoSlate, Putiatin described the value proposition as immediate scalability through reusable security primitives.

Organizations can utilize existing operator sets and benefit from established infrastructure rather than developing systems independently over multiple years.

Multi-chain infrastructure challenges

Traditional cross-chain verification has presented enterprises with limited options, each carrying distinct trade-offs.

Trusted messenger systems require allowlisting specific authorities and relying on off-chain agreements, while light client implementations demand extensive development resources and ongoing maintenance.

Shared security protocols aim to provide a middle ground by enabling the verification of consensus results across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

For example, users can stake Ethereum (ETH) on Symbiotic, and institutions developing applications on Solana can utilize this validation power. Although the execution architecture is different, the security layer is the same, simplifying validation processes.

This approach could support various enterprise applications, including liquidity protocols, cross-chain bridges, and oracle systems, without requiring separate verification infrastructure for each blockchain.

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The unified model creates native connectivity between supported blockchains, potentially simplifying multi-chain deployment for institutions exploring blockchain integration strategies.

Centralization and control considerations

Shared security implementations face scrutiny regarding centralization risks, as unified layers could theoretically create single points of failure affecting multiple connected networks. Different protocols address these concerns through varying architectural approaches.

Putiatin noted that some implementations maintain network autonomy by allowing individual blockchain projects to control their validator selection, staking mechanisms, and governance parameters. This modular approach aims to preserve network independence while providing shared infrastructure benefits.

Upgrade mechanisms also vary, with some protocols implementing opt-in systems where networks choose whether to adopt new features rather than facing mandatory updates that could affect their operations.

Institutional development trends

Financial institutions have adopted a mixed approach to blockchain implementation. They deploy applications on existing public networks while exploring custom blockchain development. 

The choice often depends on regulatory requirements, compliance needs, and technical specifications. Shared security protocols target institutions seeking middle-ground solutions that provide customization capabilities without full development overhead. 

This approach may appeal to organizations that require specific compliance features or governance structures while allowing for extensive in-house blockchain development.

However, institutional blockchain adoption patterns remain unclear as regulatory frameworks evolve and best practices for enterprise blockchain implementation are still developing across different industries and use cases.

Putiatin concluded that the effectiveness of unified security layers in driving institutional adoption will likely depend on their ability to balance customization needs with the benefits of standardization.

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Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan said Solana could soon set new all-time highs, mirroring Bitcoin and Ethereum’s record runs earlier this year.

Hougan argued that SOL is set to benefit from the same forces that propelled BTC and ETH to new highs this cycle, namely exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows, large capital firms entering the market, and simple, compelling narratives that resonate with investors.

He wrote in a social media post:

“The formula is simple: ETF fund flows + fund companies + a simple story = all-time highs. It applies to Bitcoin, it applies to Ethereum, it applies to Solana.”

Path to institutional adoption

Solana, a blockchain known for its high-speed processing and low transaction costs, has seen increasing developer activity across payments, gaming, and consumer-facing applications.

The network’s efficiency has helped position it as a potential alternative to Ethereum for decentralized applications, fueling speculation about the eventual approval of a spot Solana ETF in the US.

So far, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have funneled billions of dollars into the market, with Bitcoin funds alone surpassing gold ETFs in daily volumes this summer.

Given its growing market capitalization and expanding ecosystem, many view Solana as the next logical step for institutional product offerings.

Hougan’s comments add weight to that view, suggesting that once fund vehicles are established, Solana could follow the same trajectory as its larger peers.

Outlook evolving

Bitwise has taken a long-term bullish stance on Solana, projecting in a detailed January report that the token could reach between $2,300 and $6,600 by 2030, depending on adoption scenarios. The firm based its estimates on Metcalfe’s Law, linking network growth to valuation.

To support investor access, Bitwise also launched a Solana Staking ETP in Europe, offering exposure to SOL with integrated staking rewards and signaling confidence in the blockchain’s scalability and growing ecosystem. It is also looking to launch a spot Solana ETF in the US, but the SEC has so far delayed its decision on the applications.

While the firm remains optimistic about Solana’s long-term role alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum, it has been more cautious on near-term price outlooks until now. Bitwise previously said it was unsure if SOL would reach new highs this year and called Bitcoin the “best horse in the race.”

This mix of ambitious long-range forecasts and tempered short-term expectations reflects Bitwise’s view of Solana as a high-potential but still maturing asset.

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Institutional investors increased their Ethereum (ETH) exposure via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by 388,301 ETH in the second quarter, with investment advisors commanding the largest share of adoption across traditional finance sectors.

According to data shared by Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart, investment advisor firms control $1.35 billion in Ethereum ETF exposure, representing 539,757 ETH and capturing 219,668 ETH in net additions during the past quarter.

Investment advisors dwarf other institutional segments, with hedge fund managers ranking second at $687 million in exposure. Their holdings are equivalent to 274,757 ETH, representing a 104% increase from the first quarter.

Growing institutional adoption

Goldman Sachs leads individual institutional holders with $721.8 million in Ethereum ETF positions, equivalent to 288,294 ETH exposure.

Jane Street Group follows at $190.4 million, while Millennium Management commands $186.9 million in ETF shares.

The concentration among top-tier Wall Street firms demonstrates institutional acceptance of Ethereum as a legitimate asset class within traditional portfolios.

Brokerage firms generated the third-largest exposure category at $253 million, adding 13,525 ETH (15.4%) positions during the quarter.

Private equity and holding companies contributed $62.2 million and $60.6 million, respectively, while pension funds and banks reduced their hands on Ethereum exposure.

Total institutional exposure across all categories tracked by Bloomberg Intelligence reached $2.44 billion by the end of the second quarter, representing 975,650 ETH in combined holdings.

The third quarter could also potentially show substantial increases in institutional participation based on the numbers so far.

Data from Farside Investors shows Ethereum ETF inflows surged from $4.2 billion on June 30 to $13.3 billion by Aug. 26, marking an over threefold increase and a new all-time high in cumulative inflows. August alone generated approximately $3.7 billion in additional flows.

The acceleration follows the continued adoption of Ethereum as a corporate treasury asset. Data compiled by the Strategic ETH Reserve shows that 17 publicly listed companies hold 3.4 million ETH, worth nearly $15.7 billion.

SharpLink registered the latest acquisition on Aug. 26, adding 56,533 ETH to its treasury, bringing its total to 797,704 ETH. However, it remains significantly lower than BitMine’s 1,713,899 ETH hoard, worth nearly $8 billion.

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Author

Jimmy Aki

Author

Jimmy Aki

About Author

Jimmy has nearly 10 years of experience as a journalist and writer in the blockchain industry. He has worked with well-known publications such as Bitcoin Magazine, CCN, and Blockonomi, covering news…

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August 26, 2025

Quant ($QNT) has been quietly strengthening its position in the blockchain ecosystem. Trading at $104.91 with a 1.4% gain in the past 24 hours, the project carries a market cap of $1.5 billion.

Recent technical updates, upcoming industry engagements, and new interoperability frameworks are shaping investor interest and institutional adoption prospects.

Quant Advances Fusion Devnet, Targets Banks with Interoperability Push

Quant recently confirmed the successful testing of its open-source connector specification, which is a technical update for its Fusion Devnet.

These connectors were developed for major blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), Hedera, and Sui networks, allowing seamless integration with Quant’s unique Layer 2.5 architecture.

This architecture enables different blockchains to communicate and transact efficiently. The team is currently working on automating connector deployment within Fusion, which would streamline network expansion and user onboarding.

This advancement directly targets banks and large institutions, a core market for Quant.

Since $QNT tokens are required for both transaction fees and staking, institutional use could generate consistent buy pressure as organizations lock tokens to access the network. If adoption scales, this mechanism may gradually tighten supply while reinforcing $QNT’s long-term value.

Quant confirmed participation at Sibos 2025, where it will showcase its programmable settlement infrastructure to highlight how European banks can transition from legacy payment systems into tokenized markets.

Direct interaction with decision-makers as banks, payment providers, and regulators may significantly increase Quant’s chances of accelerating real-world adoption, especially for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and institutional digital assets.

On the product front, Quant has launched the Overledger Fusion, a framework designed to facilitate interoperable stablecoin issuance across blockchains.

CEO Gilbert Verdian emphasized that the rollout will be phased, starting with foundational infrastructure that ensures secure asset movement before expanding into advanced applications. This phased approach reflects Quant’s strategy of building trust with institutions, focusing first on reliability before scaling features.

Looking ahead, the launch of the Fusion Mainnet will be pivotal. It aims to support cross-chain transactions with real-world assets while introducing $QNT staking through the Trusted Node Program.

Staking rewards will incentivize users to secure the network, while a reduced circulating supply could positively impact token valuation. However, competition from interoperability leaders like Polkadot and Cosmos could present challenges.

$QNT Attempts Recovery, But Bears Still Lurk Near Key Resistance Levels

After hitting a local low around $100, $QNT is attempting a rebound, closing near $104.68 on the 4-hour chart.

The bounce comes amid modest signs of accumulation pressure, but the rally is not yet convincing—especially as price action approaches a band of moving average resistances and struggles to build sustainable momentum.

The 20, 50, and 100-period SMAs are closely stacked overhead at $105.34, $105.92, and $108.81, respectively.

This tight cluster of moving averages forms a technical ceiling that $QNT must decisively clear to signal a meaningful trend reversal. Their current downward slope indicates that $QNT remains in a broader bearish regime, and any break above these levels will require a strong impulse—likely through volume expansion and buyer dominance.

From a lower timeframe volume footprint (15-min), the recovery push was met with mixed absorption.

While several clusters saw aggressive buyers stepping in above 104.80, sellers consistently countered with sizable ask pressure, particularly at $105.00 and $105.20.

Most recent deltas showed little net advantage to either side, but total volume has been thinning, suggesting a wait-and-see mode among market participants.

This hesitation is echoed in the derivatives landscape.

According to Coinglass data, 24-hour volume dropped sharply by over 33%, and open interest dipped slightly (-1.57%) to $26.27M, indicating a lack of new capital commitment.

The long/short ratio remains close to neutral at 0.96, while the funding rate is just above zero, neither strongly favoring bulls nor bears. What’s notable, however, is that top trader positioning on Binance shows a tilt toward longs, perhaps anticipating continuation if price manages to clear the $106–$108 band.

For now, momentum indicators like RSI (47.99) and MACD (still below the zero line) reflect a market that’s trying to lift itself but hasn’t yet flipped the structure. A close above the 100-SMA would add conviction, but unless volume re-accelerates and the footprint shows persistent bid aggression, $QNT remains at risk of another rejection from the moving average cluster.