KeyTakeaways: 

• Stephen Akridge accused of stealing staking rewards from ex-wife’s Solana holdings.  
• Lawsuit claims Akridge exploited his blockchain expertise for financial gain.  
• Akridge’s role in Solana’s development at the center of the crypto-related dispute.

Stephen Akridge, a leader in the development of the Solana blockchain, has been accused by his ex-wife, Elisa Rossi, of allegedly stealing millions of dollars in staking rewards from her Solana holdings. The complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, accuses Akridge of exploiting his knowledge of virtual currencies to siphon off the earnings from Rossi’s digital wallet.

The lawsuit centers on staking, where crypto holders commit their assets to validate blockchain transactions in exchange for additional tokens. Rossi claims that Akridge took control of her accounts between early March and mid-May 2023 and collected 100% of the staking rewards from her Solana holdings, a breach of their financial agreement.

Rossi, who filed for divorce from Akridge in February 2023 after 10 years of marriage, alleges that her ex-husband’s actions constituted a breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and fraud.

According to a Bloomberg report, Rossi argues that Akridge illegally benefited from her digital assets by using his technical expertise in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, fields in which she had limited knowledge.

Akridge’s Background and Role in Solana

Akridge, a former Qualcomm Inc. engineer, was one of the principal engineers behind the development of Solana, a popular blockchain platform known for its high-speed transactions. Alongside co-founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, Akridge contributed to building Solana into one of the top cryptos in the market.

Rossi’s lawsuit suggests that Akridge exploited his position in the crypto space to manipulate the staking rewards system to his advantage. She accuses him of fraudulently claiming her income from the tokens allocated to her.

Legal Proceedings and Unanswered Questions

Both parties have yet to respond to requests for comment publicly. Akridge, who was appointed CEO of Cyber Grant Inc. in October 2023, has not commented on the allegations. Similarly, Solana Labs, the organization responsible for the blockchain, has remained silent.

The lawsuit continues to unfold, and as the case progresses, further details about the financial impact and resolution of these allegations are expected to emerge.