Solana co-founder allegedly kept millions in staking rewards from ex-wife in ‘acrimonious’ divorce

Stephen Akridge, a co-founder of Solana, allegedly withheld millions of dollars successful crypto from his ex-wife, according to a suit she filed successful California authorities tribunal connected Tuesday.

Elisa Rossi, an Italian national who present lives successful Rome, and Akridge were joined for astir 10 years.

The mates had “amassed a large woody of wealthiness and assets during their marriage,” mostly from Akridge’s relation successful the founding of Solana Labs, the institution that created the Solana blockchain, according to the lawsuit.

In 2023, the mates filed for divorce, according to authorities tribunal records. In her lawsuit, Rossi claims that the divorcement was “acrimonious and prolonged.”

As portion of the divorcement settlement, she was entitled to a information of the couple’s SOL tokens. The cryptocurrency present boasts a marketplace worth of $90 billion, according to CoinGecko.

Rossi’s Solana was staked, oregon erstwhile cryptocurrencies are held successful escrow to unafraid a blockchain.

In instrumentality for not moving their crypto, stakers person interest.

Rossi claims that though Akridge appeared to springiness her power of her information of Solana, helium did not springiness her the staking rewards, which amounted to “millions of dollars.”

The suit redacts the circumstantial amounts that Akridge allegedly withheld from Rossi.

Akridge did not instantly respond to requests for remark by email, text, oregon done a LinkedIn message.

Rossi’s lawyer did not instantly respond to an emailed petition for comment.

Key stakeholder

The suit against Akridge is simply a uncommon glimpse into the finances of a co-founder of 1 of the market’s apical cryptocurrencies.

Akridge isn’t arsenic disposable arsenic Anatoly Yakavenko oregon Raj Gokal, the different 2 co-founders of Solana Labs.

Still, helium was a cardinal stakeholder who split from Solana Labs successful January to motorboat Anza, a Solana bundle developer, on with fractional of Solana Labs’ staff.

In October, helium was appointed CEO of Cyber Grant, a cybersecurity company.

His divorcement quality besides reflects however crypto has go different root of struggle erstwhile couples divided up.

In 2023, CNBC reported however a hubby allegedly hid $500,000 successful Bitcoin from his woman during their divorce.

Rossi said that her erstwhile hubby likewise took vantage of her comparative deficiency of crypto know-how to pouch her Solana staking rewards.

She “knew precise small astir the blockchain, cryptocurrencies, oregon staking,” said the lawsuit.

‘Good luck’

After she recovered retired that Akridge had withheld Solana from her, she reached retired to him much than a twelve times betwixt May and December to inquire for her crypto.

At 1 point, Akridge allegedly laughed successful her face, according to the suit. ”Good luck getting those staking rewards from me,” helium said.

Ben Weiss is DL News’ Dubai Correspondent. Got a tip? Email him astatine [email protected].