Stephen Akridge, a co-founder of Solana, is facing legal action from his ex-wife Elisa Rossi, who accuses him of embezzling millions of dollars in betting rewards during their divorce proceedings.
The case sheds light on the growing complexity of cryptocurrency ownership in personal disputes.
Allegations of misconduct
Rossi filed the lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court, alleging that Akridge used his advanced understanding of blockchain technology to take control of her Solana (SOL) wallet and redirect staking rewards to himself. These rewards, generated by staking cryptocurrency holdings to validate blockchain transactions, are potentially worth millions.
Source: X
The alleged embezzlement reportedly occurred between March and May 2023, shortly after the couple filed for divorce in February after 10 years of marriage. Rossi’s complaint details allegations of breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duty.
Court documents show that Rossi requested that parts of the case be kept secret due to sensitive financial details, but described the funds involved as “significant.”
Akridge’s response and court developments
Rossi also claims Akridge rebuffed her requests for the funds and reportedly mocked her attempts to recoup the staking rewards. She claims he specifically stated that she would not regain control of the funds.
So far, Akridge, who now runs the blockchain company Cyber Grant Inc., has not publicly commented on the allegations. However, industry insiders believe the case could pose a reputational risk for him and his companies, especially given the…
