Marinade Becomes First Solana Protocol Ready for U.S. ETFs After Major Audit
Marinade Finance Reaches Top-Tier Security Compliance
Marinade Finance, the largest liquid staking protocol on the Solana blockchain, has officially achieved SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, marking a massive step forward in its mission to bring institutional-grade trust and transparency to decentralized staking.
The milestone makes Marinade one of the first decentralized staking protocols to meet this level of security compliance — a key requirement for serving as the staking provider for upcoming U.S.-based Solana ETFs.
What Is SOC 2 Type 2 and Why Does It Matter
SOC 2 Type 2 is a gold-standard security certification developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). While SOC 2 Type 1 evaluates systems at a single point in time, Type 2 digs deeper — assessing how well an organization operates and maintains its security controls over 6 to 12 months.
What the Audit Covered
According to Marinade, the months-long audit conducted by top accounting firm BDO evaluated:
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Security controls
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Access and identity management
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Validator operations
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Staking infrastructure
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Data confidentiality and privacy
Marinade had already earned SOC 2 Type 1 earlier in 2025, and this new certification affirms not just strong systems — but consistent, reliable, and secure operational practices.
“Achieving SOC 2 Type 2 as a liquid staking protocol required us to demonstrate operational excellence across a much more complex infrastructure than centralized platforms,” said Hadley Stern, Chief Compliance Officer at Marinade. “This proves decentralized protocols can meet the highest institutional standards.”
Marinade Is Now ETF-Ready
Setting the Stage for U.S. Solana ETFs
With this new certification in hand, Marinade is gearing up to become the exclusive staking provider for multiple upcoming U.S. Solana exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the team stated:
“This compliance achievement is particularly significant as Marinade serves as the exclusive staking provider for the upcoming U.S. Solana ETF applications through our Marinade Select institutional platform.”
Why This Is a Big Deal
ETF providers require demonstrated operational security, institutional readiness, and regulatory compliance — all boxes now checked by Marinade.
This achievement not only opens doors for new ETF partnerships but signals to regulators, investors, and institutions that blockchain protocols can meet traditional finance standards without compromising decentralization.
Institutional Interest in Solana Grows
With multiple Solana ETF applications currently under review by the SEC, experts predict approvals could roll in soon. Marinade’s readiness positions it as a front-runner for institutional partnerships.
Some firms already working with Marinade’s “Marinade Select” institutional platform include:
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Zodia Custody
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BitGo
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Canary Capital
These early partnerships show a growing trend: institutions want safe, regulated ways to access crypto yields — and Solana is next on the radar after Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Why This Certification Sets Marinade Apart
A First for Solana Staking
While centralized platforms like Custodia Bank achieved SOC 2 Type 2 earlier this year, Marinade is one of the first decentralized staking protocols to do so — and the first on Solana.
This demonstrates that true DeFi projects can meet the same compliance standards as traditional financial firms — a major narrative shift in the crypto space.
From Compliance to Growth
This milestone has ripple effects beyond certification:
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Builds trust with large asset managers and institutions
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Enables regulatory partnerships and ETF integrations
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Boosts Solana’s broader appeal as a secure, scalable blockchain
“SOC 2 Type 2 compliance isn’t just a badge—it’s a signal to Wall Street that Solana staking is ready for prime time,” said a Solana ecosystem analyst.
Marinade Is Leading Solana into the Institutional Era
With SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, Marinade has cemented its position as a top-tier staking protocol not just on Solana, but across the crypto ecosystem. Its readiness to support regulated ETF products makes it a critical player in the future of on-chain finance.
As Solana continues to gain traction and ETF approvals loom, Marinade stands at the front of the pack — showing that decentralized protocols can be both secure and scalable for institutional use
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