DeFi Development Corp.

Current report

We are subject to various risk and uncertainties, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, future results and the price of our common stock. The following information should be read in conjunction with the information detailed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2025 and Amendment No.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on May 16, 2025 as well with updated information appearing in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Security and Exchange Commission. The following information may supplement or update previous information appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in prior Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risk factors, as well as our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and other information disclosed in this report.

Current report

BUSINESS RELATED RISK

Current report

The price of our Common Stock has been and may continue to be volatile and fluctuate substantially, which could result in substantial losses for purchasers of our Common Stock.

Current report

Our stock price has been and is likely to continue to be volatile. The stock market in general has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. With the adoption of our new SOL treasury strategy, we expect to see additional volatility. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your Common Stock. The market price for our Common Stock may be influenced by many factors, including:

Current report

our digital asset treasury strategy;

Current report

the SOL developer community and whether people continue to engage in building;

Current report

the recruitment or departure of key personnel at SOL;

Current report

downtime and congestion of the SOL network;

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changes in staking rewards or validator incentives in the SOL ecosystem;

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the success of competitive products to SOL, alternative services or technologies in the blockchain and technology community;

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regulatory or legal developments in the United States and other countries related to digital assets, blockchain and AI;

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variations in our financial results or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us that also have a SOL treasury strategy;

Current report

general economic, industry and market conditions in the cryptocurrency industry and broader macroeconomic trends related to the digital asset industry; and

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the other factors described in this ‘‘Risk Factors’’ section and in the “Risk Factors” section of our other SEC filings, including our most recent annual report on Form 10.

Current report

Our digital asset holdings are less liquid than our existing cash and cash equivalents and may not be able to serve as a source of liquidity for us to the same extent as cash and cash equivalents. We are also subject to the credit risk of custodians.

Current report

Historically, crypto markets have been characterized by significant volatility in price, limited liquidity and trading volumes compared to sovereign currencies markets, relative anonymity, a developing regulatory landscape, potential susceptibility to market abuse and manipulation, compliance and internal control failures at exchanges, and various other risks inherent in their entirely electronic, virtual form and decentralized network. During times of market instability, we may not be able to sell our digital asset holdings at favorable prices or at all. Further, we hold digital assets with centralized custodians and transact with trade execution partners. These entities do not have the same protections as are available to cash or securities deposited with or transacted by institutions subject to regulation. For example, U.S. banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000 per depositor in the case of the bank’s insolvency. U.S. broker-dealers are covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”), which ensures recovery of the securities by the depositor. In contrast, cryptocurrency custodians do not offer such protections. If a custodian were to become insolvent, it is possible that we face delays or difficulties obtaining our digital assets. Moreover, there have been a number of instances in which custodians have used customer funds to fund their own operations. If that were the case with our custodian and the custodian were to become insolvent and file for bankruptcy, we may not be able to obtain all of the digital assets that we had deposited with the custodian. Even if we were to obtain our digital assets, it may require a considerable amount of time, which could adversely impact our financial stability.

Current report

Apart from the risk of insolvency of the custodian, there is also a risk of custodians freezing withdrawals, typically in connection with a security incident, regulatory compliance or technical issues, and may be unresponsive to customers attempting to retrieve their funds. In such events, it may be difficult to reach a representative to assist with unfreezing assets and we may not be able to sell or use our digital assets.

Current report

Additionally, the secondary market for borrowing against digital assets is not well developed. We may be unable to enter into term loans or other capital raising transactions collateralized by our unencumbered digital assets or otherwise generate funds using our digital assets, especially during times of market instability or when the price of digital assets has declined significantly. If we are unable to sell our digital assets, enter into additional capital raising transactions using digital assets as collateral, or otherwise generate funds using our digital assets or if we are forced to sell our digital assets at a significant loss in order to meet our working capital requirements, our business and financial condition could be negatively impacted.

Current report

As SOL and other digital assets are relatively novel and the application of state and federal securities laws and other laws and regulations to digital assets is unclear in certain respects, it is possible that regulators in the United States or foreign countries may interpret or apply existing laws and regulations in a manner that adversely affects the price of digital assets. The U.S. federal government, states, regulatory agencies, and foreign countries may also enact new laws and regulations, or pursue regulatory, legislative, enforcement or judicial actions, that could materially impact the price of digital assets or the ability of individuals or institutions such as us to own or transfer digital assets.

Current report

There are currently bills introduced into the U.S. Congress that, if they pass, may provide clarity on the market structure of whether digital assets are securities or a commodities. If digital assets are determined to constitute a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, the additional regulatory restrictions imposed by such a determination could adversely affect the market price of digital assets and, in turn, adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Current report

Our SOL treasury strategy could create complications with third party service providers, such as insurance companies, banking entities and auditors, which could have a materially adverse impact on our business.

Current report

Our SOL treasury strategy could create complications with third party service providers that may place a high risk on companies engaging in such a treasury strategy. For example, in 2023, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC issued supervisory statements that digital assets were a “significant risk” to banking organizations. Similarly, third-party service providers began placing a high degree of risk on digital asset companies, including third-party providers such as insurance companies, banking entities, auditors, payment processors, compliance vendors and public relationship firms.

Current report

While the current administration has undertaken a coordinated policy shift across key financial regulatory agencies with respect to regulations of digital assets, the implications of such proposed and future policy changes are uncertain at this time. If future regulations and policy changes were to impose similar limitations as those in 2023, our service providers may refuse to enter into commercially acceptable contracts with us and other companies that engage in similar treasury strategies with digital assets. This could have a number of adverse impact on the operation of our business. For example, with respect to insurance companies, the cost of our insurance may also increase or our insurers may refuse to underwrite policies or exclude digital asset liabilities from coverage. In the event that we are unable to obtain directors and officers liability insurance on acceptable terms, our directors and officers may be exposed to personal liability in connection with securities class actions, regulatory investigations and other legal proceedings. This could also deter us from retaining key employees or may prevent us from hiring talent. If we were to lose our banking services, it would severely disrupt our ability to maintain liquidity, process payroll, pay vendors or access fiat currency, which would have a significantly adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Certain auditors may also consider custody, fair market valuation, impairment testing and other controls as high-risk. If our auditor determined that it was unable to issue an unqualified opinion or could not engage with us altogether, it may adversely affect our ability to meet our periodic reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and significantly affect our business, financial condition and the ability to raise capital in the public markets.

Current report

Regulatory change reclassifying SOL as a security could lead to our falling within the definition of “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act, and could adversely affect the market price of SOL and the market price of our common stock.

Current report

While the SEC has not stated a view as to whether SOL is or is not a “security” for purposes of the federal securities laws, a determination by the SEC or a court of competent jurisdiction that SOL is a security could lead to our meeting the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act, if the portion of our assets that consists of investments in SOL exceeds the 40% limit prescribed in the 1940 Act, which would subject us to significant additional regulatory requirements that could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations and may also require us to change the manner in which we conduct our business.

Current report

We monitor our assets and income in order to conduct our business activities in a manner such that we do not fall within the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act or would qualify under one of the exemptions or exclusions provided by the 1940 Act and corresponding SEC rules. If SOL is determined to be a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, we would take steps to reduce our holdings of SOL as a percentage of our total assets. These steps may include, among others, selling SOL that we might otherwise hold for the long term and deploying our cash in assets that are not considered to be investment securities under the 1940 Act, in which case we may be forced to sell our SOL at unattractive prices. We may also seek to acquire additional assets that are not considered to be investment securities under the 1940 Act, and we may need to incur debt, issue additional equity or enter into other financing arrangements that are not otherwise attractive to our business. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, we can make no assurance that we would successfully be able to take the necessary steps to avoid meeting the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act and becoming subject to its requirements. If SOL is determined to constitute a security for purposes of the federal securities laws, and if we are not able to come within an available exemption or exclusion under the 1940 Act, then we would have to register as an investment company and require us to change the manner in which we conduct our business. In addition, such a determination could adversely affect the market price of SOL and in turn adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Current report

If SOL were considered a security, U.S. exchanges that list SOL will either have to register as a national securities exchange or de-list SOL. The delisting of SOL would have a significantly adverse impact on the liquidity of SOL, which would likely have a material adverse impact on our SOL treasury strategy and our business. Further, we may be forced to liquidate our holdings of SOL at unfavorable prices and change our SOL treasury strategy in the event that SOL is classified as a security.

Current report

We are not subject to legal and regulatory obligations that apply to investment companies such as mutual funds and funds, or to obligations applicable to investment advisers.

Current report

Mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and their directors and management are subject to extensive regulation as “investment companies” and “investment advisers” under U.S. federal and state law; this regulation is intended for the benefit and protection of investors. We are not subject to, and do not otherwise voluntarily comply with, these laws and regulations. This means, among other things, that the execution of or changes to our Treasury Reserve Policy or our SOL strategy, our use of leverage, the manner in which our SOL is custodied, our ability to engage in transactions with affiliated parties and our operating and investment activities generally are not subject to the extensive legal and regulatory requirements and prohibitions that apply to investment companies and investment advisers. For example, although a significant change to our Treasury Reserve Policy would require the approval of our board of directors, no stockholder or regulatory approval would be necessary. Consequently, our board of directors has broad discretion over the investment, leverage and cash management policies it authorizes, whether in respect of our SOL or other activities we may pursue, and has the power to change our current policies, including our strategy of acquiring and holding SOL. As a result, investors in our company may be exposed to greater volatility, concentration risk and governance discretion than they would be if we were subject to the protections afforded to regulated investment vehicles.

Current report

Substantially all of the digital assets we own is held in custody accounts at U.S. institutional digital asset custodians. Security breaches and cyberattacks are of particular concern with respect to our digital assets. Solana and other blockchain cryptocurrencies and the entities that provide services to participants in the Solana ecosystem have been, and may in the future be, subject to security breaches, cyberattacks, or other malicious activities. For example, in October 2021 it was reported that hackers exploited a flaw in the account recovery process and stole from the accounts of at least 6,000 customers of the Coinbase exchange, although the flaw was subsequently fixed and Coinbase reimbursed affected customers. Similarly, in November 2022, hackers exploited weaknesses in the security architecture of the FTX Trading digital asset exchange and reportedly stole over $400 million in digital assets from customers. A successful security breach or cyberattack could result in:

Current report

harm to our reputation and brand;

Current report

Further, any actual or perceived data security breach or cybersecurity attack directed at other companies with digital assets or companies that operate digital asset networks, regardless of whether we are directly impacted, could lead to a general loss of confidence in the broader Solana ecosystem or in the use of the Solana network to conduct financial transactions, which could negatively impact us.

Current report

Attacks upon systems across a variety of industries, including industries related to Solana, are increasing in frequency, persistence, and sophistication, and, in many cases, are being conducted by sophisticated, well and organized groups and individuals, including state actors. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized, improper or illegal access to systems and information (including personal data and digital assets), disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are constantly evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized or detected until after they have been launched against a target. These attacks may occur on our systems or those of our third service providers or partners. We may experience breaches of our security measures due to human error, malfeasance, insider threats, system errors or vulnerabilities or other irregularities. In particular, we expect that unauthorized parties will attempt to gain access to our systems and facilities, as well as those of our partners and third service providers, through various means, such as hacking, social engineering, phishing and fraud. Threats can come from a variety of sources, including criminal hackers, hacktivists, state intrusions, industrial espionage, and insiders. In addition, certain types of attacks could harm us even if our systems are left undisturbed. For example, certain threats are designed to remain dormant or undetectable, sometimes for extended periods of time, or until launched against a target and we may not be able to implement adequate preventative measures. Further, there has been an increase in such activities due to the increase in work arrangements. The risk of cyberattacks could also be increased by cyberwarfare in connection with the ongoing Russia and Israel conflicts, or other future conflicts, including potential proliferation of malware into systems unrelated to such conflicts. Any future breach of our operations or those of others in the Solana industry, including third services on which we rely, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Current report

SOL and other digital assets are subject to significant legal, commercial, regulatory, and technical uncertainty, and our SOL strategy subjects us to enhanced regulatory oversight;

Current report

regulatory changes could impact our ability to operate validators or receive rewards;

Current report

regulatory scrutiny of the Company’s activities may increase, potentially limiting our operations;

Current report

potential litigation risks exist related to smart contract vulnerabilities, validator operations, or our business activities;

Current report

uncertainty around digital assets, including SOL’s, regulatory status may impact our ability to list on certain exchanges;

Current report

changes in political administration may not guarantee a favorable regulatory environment for digital assets;

Current report

future SEC actions or court decisions could retroactively classify digital assets as a security, potentially leading to penalties or forced unwinding of transactions; and

Previous report

In connection with the Change of Control announcement on April 4, 2025, the Company is supplementing the risk factors previously disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”), with the following risk factors. These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the risk factors included in the Form 10-K.

Previous report

Security breaches and cyberattacks are of particular concern with respect to our investment in SOL. While we use highly reviewed and audited custody solutions, a successful security breach or cyberattack could result in a partial or total loss of our SOL assets in a manner that may not be covered by insurance or indemnity provisions of our custody agreements with those custodians. Such a loss could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.