Sygnum Bank Launches Institutional Staking Service from ADGM

Sygnum Bank Middle East has today announced the launch of Sygnum Validators – a new service launched from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) which includes operating institutional-grade validator nodes for select blockchain networks that enable non-custodial staking. 

The announcement comes in lockstep with moves by the United Arab Emirates to deliver regulatory clarity for blockchain companies. As well as pioneering a raft of its own, the UAE has been the quickest out of the blocks to embrace a range of international regulatory standards.

Only last month, the UAE officially adopted the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – a major step towards tax transparency and cross-border information sharing in the digital asset industry.

Such swift action with reforms not only attracts foreign investment, but also underpins new use cases and markets where clarity is now drawing so many global institutions toward the Gulf. Since the UAE’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) was launched in 2022, more than 500 Web3 companies have relocated to the UAE.

The first Sygnum validator to launch supports the Solana network, allowing eligible SOL token holders to delegate their assets and earn rewards. Solana has been selected for its low-cost, high-speed transactions, and growing institutional appeal.

Validator nodes are critical to the security and resilience of Web3 networks, but until now few institutions with experience in regulated environments have stepped in to provide them. The nodes are the backbone of blockchain networks, and Sygnum’s new service enables eligible token holders to delegate their digital assets directly to Sygnum’s validators without actually transferring custody to Sygnum. This approach combines the security and reliability of institutional-grade infrastructure with the flexibility and control of self-custody.

“Sygnum Validators represent our broader commitment to supporting the growth and resilience of the broader Web3 economy beyond regulated banking services,” said Giulia Finkbeiner-Bertoni, Senior Executive Officer of Sygnum Bank Middle East.

Lukas Doebelin, Sygnum Head of Validator Nodes & Platform Infrastructure added: “We’re making it possible for eligible token holders to benefit from our expertise in blockchain infrastructure while keeping custody and control of their assets.”

Sygnum brings extensive experience in operating validator nodes across multiple blockchain networks, having previously managed validator nodes for Cosmos and the Internet Computer, for example. Sygnum’s participation in protocol ecosystems and selective involvement in protocol governance demonstrate its deep crypto-native expertise and commitment to advancing blockchain technology.

Token holders can benefit from earning staking rewards without transferring custody of their assets, with no client onboarding necessary. By leveraging Sygnum’s institutional-grade infrastructure and security, users maintain full control and flexibility over their digital assets and help secure Web3 while earning staking rewards.

The Solana validator launch marks the first in a planned series of Sygnum Validators across select blockchain networks. Token holders can begin delegating to Sygnum’s Solana validator immediately through their preferred wallet interface.