Crypto’s Wildest Dream: A Staking Protocol That’s Actually Legit! 🤯

Marinade Finance, a Solana staking protocol so bold it probably wears a suit to blockchain meetings, has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Months of auditing? More like a spa day for their servers. 🧖♂️✨

This “milestone” not only screams “look at me!” to institutional investors but also positions Marinade as the chosen staking provider for upcoming U.S. Solana ETFs. Because nothing says “trust us” like a certificate framed next to a crypto whitepaper. 📜🖼️

  • Marinade claims their SOC 2 certification took months of auditing by BDO. Sure, buddy. We’ll call it “due diligence” and not nap time. 😴
  • SOC 2 Type 2? More like SOC 2 Type *”Look Ma, No Hands!”* 🤹♂️ Demonstrating operational effectiveness while juggling decentralized infrastructure. Impressive, if you ignore the sparks.
  • Hadley Stern, Marinade’s chief compliance officer, insists blockchain protocols can “meet global standards” without sacrificing decentralization. Right. Like saying a rockstar can quit touring *and* keep their groupies. 🤘

Marinade, now one of the “first” in staking to achieve this, posted the news on X. Because nothing vibes with crypto bros like a compliance update at 3 a.m. 🕛

The platform boasts compliance with SOC Type 2 after a “comprehensive audit” by BDO. Let’s translate: auditors stared at screens for weeks, muttered “this is fine,” and invoiced $500/hour. 💸

The audit focused on security controls, access systems, and staking infrastructure. Fun fact: They also checked if validators remembered to lock their laptops. 🔐

Crypto-friendly Custodia Bank got SOC 2 Type 2 in 2025. Coincidence? Probably. But now it’s a trend! 🎉

Why is this important?

SOC 2 Type 2 is a cybersecurity standard that’s basically a GPA for grown-ups. Type 1 checks if the lights work; Type 2 checks if the electrician is sober. 🧑🔧

Marinade nailed Type I earlier this year. Type II? Just proving they’re not a one-hit wonder. 🎶

Type 2 audits operational effectiveness over 6-12 months. So, Marinade’s servers stayed awake for a year straight? Heroic. 🦸

“Achieving SOC 2 Type 2 required us to demonstrate operational excellence across a much more complex infrastructure than centralized platforms,” said Hadley Stern. Translation: “We didn’t trip over our own cables. Mostly.”

This certification screams “institutional clients, assemble!” The main take? Marinade’s now “secure enough” for Wall Street to pretend they understand crypto. 🏦

Certification is great for partnerships and regulatory approval. Next step: Lobbying the SEC with baked goods. 🍰

Marinade eyes new Solana staking market

According to Marinade, SOC 2 Type 2 “clears the path” for them to dominate Solana ETF staking. Because ETF providers love nothing more than a compliance checklist with emojis. ✅

“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. ETF providers require demonstrated operational security and regulatory readiness — exactly what SOC 2 Type 2 compliance provides,” the platform wrote.

Several Solana ETF apps are at the SEC, with experts “optimistic.” Experts also predicted crypto would “stabilize by 2022.” 🤭 But hey, hope is free! 🎈

Read More

2025-07-26 00:06