Forward Industries strengthens Solana ties with $1.7B validator node launch

Forward Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORD) has launched an institutional-grade validator node on the Solana blockchain and staked nearly $1.7 billion worth of SOL.

The move not only places the company among the network’s top ten validators but also highlights its deepening commitment to advancing Solana’s infrastructure and supporting institutional participation in decentralised finance (DeFi).

From a Solana treasury to an active contributor on Solana blockchain

The validator launch marks Forward Industries’ transition from being a major Solana treasury holder to an active contributor within the blockchain’s operational ecosystem.

The company, which trades on NASDAQ under the ticker FORD, announced that the validator is powered by DoubleZero, a high-performance global network designed for distributed systems.

The integration ensures that the node runs on top-tier infrastructure optimised for speed, reliability, and scalability.

By staking its entire Solana treasury of approximately 6.8 million SOL, valued at nearly $1.7 billion, Forward immediately entered Solana’s top validator ranks.

According to data from Solana Beach, this significant stake pushes Forward Industries ahead of long-standing participants like Coinbase and Staking Facilities, solidifying its presence among the network’s most influential validators.

DoubleZero and Jump Crypto collaboration

Forward’s validator’s technical foundation combines DoubleZero’s fibre network with Jump Crypto’s Firedancer client, a high-performance, independent Solana validator software.

This collaboration is part of Forward’s broader effort to enhance the blockchain’s efficiency, reduce latency, and boost throughput.

Through DoubleZero’s specialised infrastructure, the validator benefits from a packet-optimised network that addresses many of the bottlenecks found on traditional internet routes.

Forward Industries’ Chairman, Kyle Samani, emphasised that the partnership reflects a deliberate focus on institutional-grade reliability.

Samani noted that DoubleZero’s engineering approach aligns with Solana’s vision of achieving global-scale performance while maintaining decentralisation.

Samani added that the integration strengthens Solana’s resiliency and reinforces its position as the leading blockchain for institutional adoption in DeFi.

Forward Industries validator commission rate set at 0%

In a move aimed at encouraging greater participation, Forward Industries set its validator’s commission rate at 0%, allowing all staking rewards to flow directly to delegators.

This makes Forward’s offering one of the most attractive among the top validators.

Other major validators, including Binance Staking and Figment, currently charge commissions ranging from 1% to 7%, while Coinbase’s stands at 8%.

Although zero commission may serve as a short-term growth strategy, it immediately differentiates Forward’s validator from competitors and signals its intent to prioritise community engagement.

The company has indicated that all of its current and future validators will operate on DoubleZero’s network, further embedding this partnership at the heart of its Solana operations.

With this launch, Forward Industries is not only strengthening its own stake in Solana’s future but also contributing to the network’s overall stability and advancement.

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