Forward Industries, a publicly traded company holding one of the largest Solana treasuries, has officially launched its own validator node on the Solana network — staking its entire SOL holdings worth nearly $1.7 billion.
The move marks Forward’s deeper commitment to the Solana ecosystem as it transitions from being a major holder to becoming an active network participant. The validator is hosted on DoubleZero’s high-performance fiber network and utilizes Jump Crypto’s Firedancer, an independent Solana validator client designed to improve the blockchain’s scalability and security.
Strengthening Solana’s Institutional Footing
Forward Industries’ chairman Kyle Samani said the new validator aims to strengthen Solana’s infrastructure and reinforce its position as the leading blockchain for institutional adoption in decentralized finance (DeFi).
“Running our own validator is the next step in ensuring Solana remains the standard for institutional-grade performance in DeFi,” Samani noted.
With around 6.8 million SOL now staked, Forward instantly joined Solana’s top 10 validators, surpassing major players like Coinbase and Staking Facilities, according to data from Solana Beach.
0% Commission Strategy
Unlike most top validators, Forward is currently offering 0% commission on staking rewards — meaning all rewards go directly to delegators.
For comparison:
- Binance Staking charges a 1% commission,
- Figment and Ledger by Figment charge 7%,
- Coinbase takes the highest cut among top validators at 8%.
Industry analysts say the zero-commission move could be a strategic step to attract delegators before the company eventually adjusts rates to cover operational costs.
A Growing Role in Solana’s Ecosystem
Forward Industries, backed by Galaxy Digital, Jump Crypto, and Multicoin Capital, has been positioning itself as a key institutional player within Solana’s expanding ecosystem. The company’s large-scale validator deployment signals confidence in the network’s long-term resilience and economic potential.
With Solana continuing to post strong growth in network activity and validator participation, Forward’s entry further validates its status as a preferred blockchain for both retail and institutional stakeholders.
