Solana’s market narrative shifted today as SOL Strategies announced a major institutional win while the token extended its weekly decline. The company confirmed that its Orangefin validator will support staking operations for the newly launched VanEck Solana ETF. This development arrives during a challenging moment for Solana’s price, which continues to lose ground after several weeks of sustained selling pressure. Hence, the contrast between growing institutional participation and weakening market performance has drawn fresh attention from traders tracking the trend into year-end. Institutional Momentum Builds Around Solana According to the press release , SOL Strategies said the arrangement strengthens its long-term plan to bridge traditional markets with decentralized networks. The company operates ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certified validators and secures more than CAD$610 million in assets. Additionally, the firm continues to expand institutional partnerships after previous work with Tetra Trust and other regulated entities. The relationship also reflects VanEck’s strategic focus on Solana. Kyle DaCruz said, “SOL Strategies’ proven track record in validator operations and institutional focus made them a natural choice for our Solana ETF staking requirements.” His comments point to rising confidence in regulated staking providers as ETFs drive new demand for yield generation. Besides, SOL Strategies emphasized that the partnership reinforces its position in the institutional Solana market. The company noted its intention to scale validator services as ETF issuers expand their staking allocations. Market Conditions Signal Ongoing Downtrend Despite the institutional development, Solana’s market price continues to weaken. The token trades near $134 as of press time after losing more than 18% over the past week. Analysts link the slide to persistent selling pressure and a clear descending trendline that has shaped the market since early autumn. Source: X According to analyst 0xEthan, the trend remains firmly intact. He predicted that Solana could drop below $100 before 2026, citing a pattern of lower highs and lower lows as a sign of persistent weakness. The chart indicates that the $100 mark coincides with a major trendline around mid-December, forming a significant area of confluence. Additionally, interim support sits near $127 and $118, although momentum still favors deeper moves. Consequently, analysts believe a full retest of the psychological $100 zone remains likely if buyers fail to reclaim $150 soon.
