Solana Co-Founder’s Divorce — Crypto at the Center of Dispute
When crypto enters the equation, divorce proceedings take a unique turn. Solana’s Stephen Eckridge faces backlash from his ex, Eliza Rossi, over his handling of staking income during their separation.
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A legal complaint filed in the Superior Court of San Francisco County accuses Solana co-founder Stephen Eckridge of dragging his feet when it came to sharing his crypto earnings with his ex-wife. The couple, who spent nearly a decade together, amassed a considerable fortune, thanks in large part to Eckridge’s role in Solana’s creation. Their 2023 divorce has since turned into a very public courtroom spectacle.
Solana Co-Founder Stephen Eckridge. Source: YouTube
Rossi alleges that her divorce settlement included a share of SOL tokens worth $90 million. While she received her due share, the controversy lies elsewhere—in staking rewards, which Eckridge reportedly failed to disclose.
In the lawsuit filed by Rossi, she alleges that Eckridge allowed her access to three wallets to make it appear as though she had control over her share of the tokens. Behind the scenes, however, she claims he managed the funds and reaped substantial staking profits.
This alleged deceit, according to Rossi, came to light several months later.
Rossi’s Legal Complaint Against Eckridge. Source: law.com
The filing further describes how Eckridge dismissed her requests for the staking proceeds, reportedly refusing to compromise. Rossi alleges that he mocked her during one confrontation, saying, “Good luck trying to get staking rewards out of me.”
The lawsuit keeps financial specifics under wraps, as is customary in sensitive disputes, but this only heightens the interest of onlookers. With the two U.S. litigants living in Rome, the trial has taken on the vibe of a Napoli vs. Roma match. Fans are predictably divided, with women favoring Eliza’s victory while men rally behind Steven.
Rossi vs Eckridge Lawsuit. Source: law.com
A behind-the-scenes figure in the crypto world steps into the spotlight in this rare exposé. Steven Eckridge, overshadowed by more visible co-founders like Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, quietly shaped Solana’s success. In January, he parted ways with Solana Labs to launch Anza, a software venture focused on Solana, while recruiting half the team to join him. October saw him assume leadership as CEO of Cyber Grant, marking his foray into cybersecurity.
Adding cryptocurrency to disputes over assets like real estate and antiques has made this divorce saga even more compelling.
Could the rise of digital wealth prompt the need for “crypto-specific attorneys” in the future? Only time will tell how the legal world evolves to meet this challenge.
For insights from Ukrainian lawyers on this topic, read our article: Bitcoin inheritance: an interview with a licensed attorney
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