DeFi Development Corporation boosts Solana investments through acquisition of $112.5 million in notes.
In the dynamic world of blockchain technology, institutional investments have been increasingly focusing on Layer 1 projects beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, with a particular interest in solutions tailored for enterprise-grade applications and real-world asset integration.
One such example is Digital Asset, the developer of the Canton Network, a public Layer 1 blockchain designed with configurable on-chain privacy for institutional use. In mid-2025, Digital Asset raised $135 million in a Series E funding round involving prominent institutional investors such as Goldman Sachs, Citadel Securities, DTCC, DRW Venture Capital, and Tradeweb Markets [1][2][4]. The investment underscores confidence in Canton’s privacy-enabled and compliance-focused architecture, and its role in tokenizing trillions in real-world assets, including over $1.5 trillion in monthly U.S. Treasury repo activity.
Another example, albeit less detailed about specific Layer 1 protocols, is Argyle One, which recently received $3.2 million in a funding round led by institutional investors such as Further Ventures, Virtu Financial, and Bain Capital Ventures. The company's positioning at the intersection of blockchain innovation and enterprise efficiency reflects broader institutional interest in blockchain infrastructure beyond the top two cryptocurrencies [3].
DeFi Development Corp, a company focused on equipping readers with knowledge to navigate digital assets, has also made significant moves. It has issued $112.5 million in convertible notes for Solana investment, with the remaining funds to be used for purchasing SOL tokens and covering corporate needs, and $75.6 million allocated for stock hedging purposes. This move may influence Solana's market dynamics and pave the way for future institutional interest in Layer 1 assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Meanwhile, John Kojo Kumi, a cryptocurrency researcher and writer, specializes in emerging startups, tokenomics, and market dynamics within the blockchain ecosystem. He provides in-depth coverage of decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 innovations, and is passionate about blockchain's transformative potential.
In the crypto market, Solana (SOL) is currently priced at $153.66, with a market cap of $82.14 billion and a 2.43% dominance. Solana has seen a 4.90% increase in 24-hour pricing and a 6.30% rise over the past week.
Elsewhere, US Stock Tokenization Services have been launched by major platforms, and Binance Alpha has launched a Palio AI token generation event. Additionally, Microsoft has axed 3,000 NK spy accounts in a major crackdown.
In summary, institutional investments in Layer 1 blockchain assets are driving a maturation in blockchain adoption, with a focus on utility and real-world integration rather than speculation. This trend is expected to continue as more companies follow the lead of Digital Asset, Argyle One, and DeFi Development Corp.
References: [1] Digital Asset raises $135 million in Series E funding round. (2025, July 1). CoinDesk. Retrieved from https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/07/01/digital-asset-raises-135-million-in-series-e-funding-round/ [2] Digital Asset raises $135 million in Series E funding round. (2025, July 1). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/digital-asset-raises-135-million-series-e-funding-round-2025-07-01/ [3] Argyle One raises $3.2 million in funding round. (2025, August 10). CoinTelegraph. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/news/argyle-one-raises-3-2-million-in-funding-round [4] Digital Asset Raises $135 Million in Series E Funding Round. (2025, July 1). Yahoo Finance. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/digital-asset-raises-135-million-164000674.html [5] Institutional Investments in Layer 1 Blockchain Assets Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. (2025, September 15). Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/blockchain/2025/09/15/institutional-investments-in-layer-1-blockchain-assets-beyond-bitcoin-and-ethereum/?sh=763c830a6073
Institutional investors have been increasingly focusing on Layer 1 projects beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, such as Digital Asset, which raised $135 million in a Series E funding round from Goldman Sachs, Citadel Securities, and others. These investments show confidence in Canton Network's privacy-enabled and compliance-focused architecture. Argyle One, another example, has also attracted institutional investments, positioning at the intersection of blockchain innovation and enterprise efficiency. DeFi Development Corp, a company providing knowledge about digital assets, has issued convertible notes for Solana investment, influencing Solana's market dynamics and paving the way for future institutional interest in Layer 1 assets. This trend signals a maturation in blockchain adoption, with a focus on utility and real-world integration rather than speculation.
