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Solana’s branding was hard to miss at the 2026 World Series of Poker, and the company’s involvement went far beyond marketing. The blockchain platform partnered with the WSOP this summer to streamline payment processing for thousands of players competing in Las Vegas.
Speaking on the PokerNews Podcast with co-hosts Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz, Solana’s Chief Product Officer Vibhu Nordy revealed that the platform processed $23 million in Solana-based payments during the series. That figure represented roughly 6% of all WSOP buy-ins this year, more than double the payout Lucas Jumalon received for winning the Main Event.
Nordy emphasized that this marked Solana’s first-ever sponsorship deal, noting the company typically avoids such arrangements. He said the decision stemmed from a belief that Solana’s technology could genuinely improve the poker industry rather than simply serve as a branding opportunity.
As a poker enthusiast himself, Nordy used the partnership to introduce Solana’s payment services to the WSOP while also promoting the game to affluent crypto investors. The collaboration included a $100,000 WSOP Solana Showdown freeroll, a nine-player sit-n-go held during the Main Event final table at Horseshoe Las Vegas, featuring notable crypto figures and coaching from 2006 champion Jamie Gold.
Crypto trader Rasmr won that event, defeating MinhxDynasty to claim the $50,000 top prize, with the runner-up earning $25,000.
Nordy will further test his poker skills this Saturday in Austin, Texas, appearing on the livestream show Poker at The Lodge, co-owned by Doug Polk, Brad Owen, and Andrew Neeme.
