News 
December 30, 2024 
3 min. 
A legal battle has erupted between Solana co-founder Stephen Akridge and his ex-wife, Elisa Rossi, over millions of dollars in staking rewards from Solana (SOL) tokens. Rossi alleges that Akridge secretly profited from her tokens without her knowledge, sparking a high-stakes lawsuit filed in San Francisco.
The dispute centers on claims that Akridge exploited his crypto expertise to retain control of the tokens, violating the terms of their divorce agreement finalized in March.
Allegations of Deception Against Solana Co-Founder
In the lawsuit filed on December 24, Rossi accused Akridge of using her SOL tokens to earn substantial staking rewards. According to the complaint, Akridge gave Rossi limited wallet authority over three accounts containing the tokens but continued to stake them secretly.
Rossi claims she discovered the alleged deception in May 2024, by which time Akridge had already earned millions in staking rewards. The complaint highlights a power imbalance in their crypto knowledge, suggesting Akridge took advantage of her lack of expertise.
Text messages between May and December reportedly show Rossi repeatedly confronting Akridge about the rewards. She claims he refused to return them, even mocking her efforts, allegedly saying, “Good luck getting those staking rewards from me.”
Stakes Higher Than Disclosed
While the lawsuit mentions that the disputed funds exceed $25,000, specific figures remain redacted, with Rossi citing “significant sums” in the legal filings. The suit also noted Akridge’s key role as Solana Labs’ principal engineer and his current position as CEO of the cybersecurity firm Cyber Grant.
The case underscores the complexities of navigating crypto disputes in personal relationships, particularly when technical expertise plays a role in alleged financial misconduct. As the legal process unfolds, the Solana community is closely watching for its potential impact on the blockchain’s reputation.
