A Big Win for Solana: RockawayX’s $125M Fund

On April 24, 2025, SolanaFloor shared exciting news on X: RockawayX, a Prague-based venture capital firm, has launched a $125 million fund targeting early-stage projects on the Solana blockchain. This move signals strong confidence in Solana’s ecosystem, especially for yield-generating decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. But what does this mean for Solana and its community? Let’s break it down.

Who is RockawayX?

RockawayX isn’t new to the crypto space. This Prague-based VC firm has been a major player since it first backed Solana in 2018, when the blockchain was just a concept. According to Forbes, RockawayX now manages around $2 billion in assets and employs 45 people across offices in Prague, Dubai, and London. Two-thirds of their team are engineers, which shows their hands-on approach—they don’t just invest; they build and support projects directly. For example, they’ve been running Solana software since its early days, even when others doubted its potential.

The firm has already backed over 15 projects in the Solana ecosystem, including big names in DeFi like Morpho Labs and market makers like Wintermute. Their 2021 fund reportedly delivered over five times the invested capital, thanks to Solana’s massive growth—its market cap soared from $86 million in early 2021 to roughly $78 billion today.

What’s the $125M Fund All About?

RockawayX’s new fund is focused on early-stage startups, particularly those building on Solana. About two-thirds of the capital will go into seed investments for these projects, with the rest held in liquid, income-generating assets. The fund’s main target? Yield-generating DeFi projects. In simple terms, DeFi (short for decentralized finance) refers to financial apps built on blockchain that don’t rely on traditional banks or intermediaries. Think lending platforms, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), or apps that let you earn interest on your crypto.

RockawayX wants to make Solana a go-to platform for earning yield—basically, generating steady returns on your crypto holdings. Their CEO, Victor Fischer, told Forbes that while Solana is already known for trading (thanks to its speed), it has room to grow as a yield-generating platform. Right now, about 65% of SOL tokens are staked (locked up to support the network and earn rewards), compared to just 28% of ETH on Ethereum. This staking offers around 8% annual yield, but Fischer believes more complex DeFi apps can unlock even better opportunities for users.

Why Solana?

Solana has become a favorite for developers and investors alike, and for good reason. According to Solana’s official site, the blockchain can handle thousands of transactions per second with fees as low as $0.0025. That’s a big deal when you compare it to slower networks like Ethereum, where fees can spike during busy times. Solana’s speed comes from its unique tech, like the Proof of History (PoH) consensus mechanism and Sealevel parallel processing, which let it process transactions super efficiently.

A recent report from Electric Capital, mentioned on Solana’s blog, also highlighted that 81% of all DEX transactions in 2025 happen on Solana. That’s a huge chunk of the market, showing how dominant Solana has become for DeFi activity. Projects like Raydium (a leading DEX) and Kamino Finance (a lending and liquidity platform) are great examples of the innovation happening on Solana.

What’s Next for RockawayX and Solana?

RockawayX isn’t just throwing money at Solana—they’re doubling down with real support. On May 1, 2025, they’ll open “Solana City,” a new accelerator hub in Dubai, in partnership with the Solana Foundation and Helius Labs. This hub will help Solana startups grow by offering resources, mentorship, and more. It’s part of RockawayX’s broader mission to strengthen Solana’s ecosystem and make it a leader in blockchain tech.

The X thread around SolanaFloor’s post shows a mix of reactions. Some users, like ApeflixOfficial, are hyped about the fund’s potential to “accelerate innovation and growth” on Solana. Others, like kemrajshanghie, were more skeptical, claiming “no serious companies build on SOL.” But with RockawayX’s track record and Solana’s growing stats, the optimists might have the upper hand here.

Why This Matters for Crypto Fans

If you’re into crypto, this news is a big deal. RockawayX’s fund could spark a wave of new DeFi projects on Solana, making the blockchain even more useful for earning yield or accessing financial services without middlemen. Plus, Solana’s low fees and high speed make it a great place for these projects to thrive. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or just someone curious about crypto, this is a trend worth watching in 2025.

What do you think about RockawayX’s big bet on Solana? Let us know in the comments!