The Solana Policy Institute (SPI), a non-partisan and non-profit entity, was established on March 31 to interact with lawmakers, inform them about the significance of decentralized networks in the digital economy, and advocate for Solana (SOL) in the capital.
The organization will concentrate on advancing legal clarity for developers and users of applications built on the Solana platform. SPI was founded by Miller Whitehouse-Levine, who previously served as the CEO of the DeFi Education Fund, and will take on the role of CEO for SPI.
In its announcement, SPI stated that it will collaborate with other crypto advocacy groups in Washington and aims to showcase the Solana ecosystem as a prime example of how decentralized technologies can enhance economic and social frameworks.
Its mission encompasses convening stakeholders from the Solana developer and user community to showcase real-world applications and influence public policy.
Whitehouse-Levine remarked:
“I’m privileged to lead the Solana Policy Institute as we strive to educate legislators about the exceptional potential of decentralized networks like Solana. This is a critical moment for our sector, and we require clear guidelines to empower the innovators who are shaping the future digital economy.”
Promoting Solana
SPI aims to illustrate Solana as a representative case of blockchain’s potential applications across various sectors, such as finance, data storage, and digital identity.
The institute asserts that decentralized networks are evolving into foundational infrastructure for the upcoming phase of the internet, and that legal certainty is crucial for fostering responsible innovation.
The organization plans to engage directly with congressional staff, federal regulators, and executive branch agencies.
SPI will stress the necessity of distinguishing between centralized and decentralized models in legislative and regulatory development, especially in areas like securities classification, consumer protection, and market integrity.
SPI’s strategic framework includes consolidating perspectives from within the Solana ecosystem, involving infrastructure providers, developers, and users of decentralized applications (dApps).
These participants will offer policymakers tailored insights, illustrating how blockchain tools are practically utilized and where regulatory uncertainties hinder wider adoption.
Consequently, the Solana Policy Institute will act as a dedicated link between the Solana network and federal policymakers, emphasizing structured, evidence-based advocacy to inform legislation and regulatory efforts.
Improving Legal Status
Following the SEC’s lawsuits against major US exchanges in 2023, SOL and other altcoins were classified as securities by the regulator.
However, SOL’s legal standing has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. On March 2, former President Donald Trump suggested a digital asset stockpile and included SOL among various altcoins.
Solana is also making strides among US investors via new investment tools. On March 17, the first SOL futures contracts commenced trading on CME Group, with the initial SOL futures-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) debuting three days later.
Experts believe that the introduction of futures-related products could enhance the likelihood of a spot SOL ETF being approved in the US. Furthermore, the SEC has resolved several prominent lawsuits concerning the classification of SOL as a security.
The launch of SPI coincides with significant legal developments for Solana, which may enhance the network’s future prospects in the United States.
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