Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where he endorsed agentic coding as an AI-driven approach to software development and highlighted Solana’s financial achievements in 2025.
Yakovenko explained his transition away from hands-on coding, stating he now relies on AI tools such as Claude to perform coding tasks. This shift allows him to focus on higher-level oversight while leveraging the technology’s capabilities. He characterized these tools as a “great force multiplier” for experts in the field, enabling enhanced productivity through automated assistance in complex programming work.
To ensure reliability, Yakovenko described his process of monitoring the AI’s output closely. He can identify instances when the AI is “going off the rails,” meaning deviations from intended logic or errors in code generation. This vigilance helps maintain quality in the resulting software, aligning with his role in guiding development at Solana.
His comments point to changes in software engineering, where AI tools increasingly support developers in creating and refining code. These advancements facilitate faster iteration and problem-solving in technical projects, particularly within blockchain ecosystems like Solana.
Turning to Solana’s performance, Yakovenko reported the blockchain generated $2.85 billion in annual revenue during 2025, sourced mainly from cryptocurrency trading platforms. This figure underscores the platform’s operational scale amid market fluctuations.
Solana also launched its first exchange-traded fund, managed by Bitwise, which recorded $70 million in inflows on the debut day. This product introduction marks an expansion into regulated investment vehicles.
Yakovenko credited Solana’s progress to increasing integration of cryptocurrency in traditional finance sectors. He noted that professionals in finance comprehend crypto concepts rapidly, given their daily handling of settlement processes and banking risks, which parallel blockchain functionalities.
