Orangefin Ventures

Orangefin Ventures is a non-custodial staking platform anchored by a Solana validator that charges 0% commission and holds ISO 27001, SOC 1 Type 2, and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications. Founded in November 2023 by Max Kaplan, the platform was acquired by SOL Strategies Inc. (CSE: HODL; NASDAQ: STKE) with the transaction completing on January 2, 2025. Today it operates as Orangefin by SOL Strategies, serving both retail delegators and institutional clients.

Validator Operations

Orangefin's Solana validator (vote account DB7DNWMVQASMFxcjkwdr4w4eg3NmfjWTk2rqFMMbrPLA) runs on enterprise-grade server infrastructure with redundant systems and continuous monitoring. The validator operates from its own autonomous system number (ASN), contributing to Solana network decentralization rather than sharing hosting infrastructure with large data-center blocs.

Commission is set at 0%, meaning delegators receive the full on-chain staking reward without any validator deduction. The validator also passes through Jito MEV rewards, giving delegators additional yield on top of base epoch rewards. Voting uptime sits at approximately 99.9%, and the validator reported 100% uptime through its most recent public reporting period.

Projected staking returns run between 8% and 10% APY depending on network conditions. Orangefin also operates a validator on Gnosis and evaluates additional networks on a case-by-case basis.

Acquisition by SOL Strategies

SOL Strategies acquired three Orangefin validators and related assets from Orangefin Ventures LLC. Total consideration comprised $750,000 USD in cash (paid in USDC), $750,000 USD in common shares (503,621 shares at CAD $2.14 per share), and $5,000,000 USD in additional shares issued in six equal tranches over three years tied to performance milestones. The deal closed January 2, 2025.

At the time of closing, the Orangefin validator held 632,302 SOL in delegated stake, valued at approximately CAD $177 million. Combined with SOL Strategies' existing validators, the network reached 1,505,145 SOL across three validators post-acquisition. Kaplan joined SOL Strategies as CTO and Head of Staking. Leah Wald serves as CEO of SOL Strategies.

As of March 2026, the SOL Strategies validator network serves over 33,500 unique wallets, representing more than 5% of all Solana staking participants, with over 3.8 million SOL in total assets under delegation.

Mobile Staking App

On January 16, 2025, Orangefin launched a dedicated staking application on the Solana dApp Store -- one of the first non-custodial staking apps enabling SOL holders to stake directly from a mobile device. The app is also available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Core features include:

• Non-custodial staking -- private keys never leave the user's device
• Stake account management -- create, track, and manage Solana stake accounts
• Jito MEV reward harvesting -- claim tip rewards earned by the validator
• Stake account tools -- split and merge existing stake accounts in-app
• Wallet compatibility -- supports Phantom, Solflare, Backpack, Ledger, and other major Solana wallets

The app is designed for individual delegators seeking a mobile-first staking experience, with a separate institutional tier offering white-glove onboarding and dedicated support channels.

Security and Compliance

Orangefin holds three independent security certifications: ISO 27001 for information security management, SOC 1 Type 2 for controls relevant to financial reporting, and SOC 2 Type 2 for security, availability, and confidentiality. These certifications are independently audited and cover a defined reporting period rather than a point-in-time snapshot.

The compliance posture has enabled integration with regulated institutional counterparties. In March 2026, Balance -- Canada's oldest and largest digital asset custodian -- integrated the Orangefin validator as a native staking option for its custody clients, citing uptime reliability and third-party compliance certifications as the primary selection criteria.

SOL Strategies is publicly traded and regulated by both the Ontario Securities Commission and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ecosystem Position

Orangefin operates at the intersection of retail accessibility and institutional infrastructure. The 0% commission validator and mobile app lower the barrier for ordinary SOL holders, while the security certifications, custodian integrations, and institutional support tiers serve asset managers and regulated entities that need auditable counterparties.

Operating under its own ASN and independent data-center footprint aligns with Solana Foundation guidance on geographic and operator decentralization. As of the official site, total assets staked through the platform stand at approximately $105 million.