Solana Institute President Spotlights Key Trend Driving Crypto Growth
Kristin Smith, president of Solana Institute, highlights a growing trend in the crypto market: Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs). These companies are integrating digital assets into their core strategies, actively deploying tokens rather than merely holding them. Recent weeks have seen a surge in Solana-focused DATs, including DeFi Dev Corp and Upexi. Nasdaq-listed Forward Industries has become Solana's first billion-dollar treasury, acquiring 6.82 million SOL. Smith suggests that this trend reflects increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies and innovative financial vehicles like DATs are emerging to channel capital effectively.
In a recent tweet, president of Solana Institute and former CEO of Blockchain Association, Kristin Smith, highlights a new trend driving growth in the crypto market: DAT or Digital Asset Treasury.
In light of growing adoption for cryptocurrencies, DATs have emerged, which are companies making digital assets a core balance-sheet strategy, actively deploying tokens (staking, validators, liquidity) rather than simply holding them.
The emergence of crypto ETFs and digital asset treasury (DAT) companies might reflect crypto’s growing acceptance.
Sep 19, 20251/ We’re seeing an explosion of @Solana-focused Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) companies — giving everyday investors new pathways to access Solana.
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Smith points to an increasing trend of companies exploring Solana as a digital treasury asset: "We’re seeing an explosion of Solana focused Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) companies — giving everyday investors new pathways to access Solana."
Solana DATs on rise
Kristin Smith, the president of Solana Institute, pointed out that the past few weeks have seen multiple Solana DATs launch. These include DeFi Dev Corp and Upexi, which has chosen Solana as its treasury reserve asset.
Nasdaq-listed SOL Strategies joins this list as an institutional bridge to Solana, connecting traditional finance and crypto through institutional-grade validators.
Forward Industries (FORD) is Solana’s first billion-dollar publicly traded treasury. FORD became the largest SOL treasury earlier this week after acquiring 6.82 million SOL, representing 1.26% of the total supply.
This week, Nasdaq-listed Helius in partnership with Pantera Capital and Summer Capital announced over $500 million in funding to launch a SOL treasury company.
According to Smith, this might just be the beginning as innovative vehicles like DATs are emerging, channeling capital to where it is most productive.
