Scope:
This summary covers protocols and infrastructure that use Solana stake and increase SOL earnings. Includes: restaking protocols (Jito NCN, Solayer, Fragmetric), cross-chain validation (Picasso IBC), execution layers (MagicBlock, Neon EVM), and validator client upgrades (Firedancer). Excluded: protocols with separate validator sets (Eclipse, SOON, Atlas, Yona, Zink), those paying in other tokens (Sonic pays SONIC, not SOL), or yield tokenization markets (Pye Finance — see
yield tokenization hub).
Model: Base Solana staking (5.9-6.6%) + MEV premium (1.2-1.8%)
Entry Barrier: Medium NCN-dependent, <1M SOL for Foundation delegation
How it works: Validators run Jito-Solana client + NCN software. Earn base staking rewards + share of $2.5B annual MEV distribution via TipRouter (6% of MEV tips redistributed).
TVL: $227M across 9 VRTs | Adoption: 95%+ of Solana validators
Revenue breakdown: 0.3% of MEV tips via TipRouter + NCN-specific rewards (e.g., $SWTCH + oracle fees from Switchboard NCN)
Status: Live (production NCNs operational, $30M+ annual network revenue)
Model: Liquid restaking (sSOL token), MEV-boosted yields
Entry Barrier: Very Low Any amount SOL/LST, zero fees
How it works: Stake SOL/LSTs → receive sSOL → earn from endogenous AVS (on-chain Solana dApps via swQoS) + exogenous AVS (oracles, bridges). Non-custodial, performance-based validator selection.
TVL: $346M (1.81M SOL staked) | Distinction: Largest Solana restaking protocol
Unique: Emphasizes *endogenous* AVS (Solana-native dApps) vs EigenLayer's *exogenous* model (off-chain services)
Status: Live (10.3% APY promotional campaigns active)
Model: Liquid restaking token (fragSOL), stacks multiple yield sources
Entry Barrier: Very Low No minimum, passive delegation
How it works: Deposit mSOL/jitoSOL/bSOL → receive fragSOL LRT → earn base Solana staking + MEV + NCN/AVS rewards. No validator operation required.
TVL: $300M+ | Participants: 80K+
Innovation: First to solve multi-reward distribution via SPL token transfer hooks. 100% revenue → FRAG buybacks.
Integrations: Jito Restaking, Solayer, Cambrian
Status: Live (aggregates Jito/Solayer/Cambrian yields)
Model: Bond SOL to validate IBC cross-chain transfers
Entry Barrier: Medium 25 SOL bond required
How it works: Bond 25 SOL + delegated stake to run IBC light client nodes. Validate cross-chain transfers to/from Cosmos, Ethereum, Polkadot. Earn 40% of transfer fees.
Revenue: Cross-chain transfer fees (40% to validators) + delegated stake rewards
Slashing: 25 SOL bond + delegated stake at risk for invalid proofs
Unique: ONLY protocol where Solana stake directly validates external L1s (not just Solana-native services)
Status: Live (trust-minimized IBC bridge operational)
Model: Run proxy software, earn commission on Ethereum-to-Solana transactions
Entry Barrier: Low ~200 SOL/month operational balance
How it works: Run Neon Proxy software to convert Web3 API calls → Solana transactions. Users pay in NEON/USDC/SOL, operators collect 10% default commission + gas fee arbitrage.
Revenue: Configurable commission (default 10%), parallel execution optimization
Slashing: None (operational cost risk only)
Status: Live (Jan 2025 upgrade), transitioning whitelisted → permissionless
Hardware: Lightest requirement (proxy software only, no full validator node)
Model: Session fees + settlement commissions
Entry Barrier: Medium Stake requirements not disclosed, evolving model
How it works: Run ephemeral SVM validators (off-chain) that execute temporary sessions, settle state commitments to Solana. Near-zero execution cost during sessions, batch settlement fees.
Use cases: FlashTrade (DeFi bundling), Supersize.gg (gaming state), dTelecom
Validators: Asia/EU/US instances live (TEE validators operational)
Status: Live on mainnet, revenue model still evolving
Caution: Unclear stake requirements and revenue specifics
Existing Solana Validators
1. Firedancer client: +18-28bp reward improvement, 1M+ TPS performance, 20.9% network stake (proven)
2. Jito NCN: 95%+ adoption, $2.5B MEV distribution, multi-NCN support, verified 7-9% APY
3. Solayer: Low barrier, 7.6-8% APY, flexible staking, zero fees
4. Neon EVM: Low overhead (proxy software), 10% commission, permissionless transition upcoming
5. Pye Finance: Trading fee revenue from stake markets, predictable capital via fixed quarterly lockups, zero infrastructure changes
Passive Stakers / Liquid Staking Users
1. Fragmetric fragSOL: $300M+ TVL, multi-protocol aggregation, SPL token innovation, no minimum
2. Solayer sSOL: Largest restaking TVL ($346M), 7.6-8% APY, zero fees
3. Jito JitoSOL: 95%+ validator adoption, MEV-boosted, TipRouter integration