July 26th 2026
In heartwarming news for both the crypto community and animal lovers, Anatoly Yakovenko — widely known as Toly, co-founder of the Solana blockchain — has adopted Mao, a charming chocolate point Siamese cat, from Austin Siamese Rescue (@ATXSiameseRescu).The announcement came directly from the rescue organization’s official X account.
In their post, Austin Siamese Rescue shared:
“We’re thrilled beyond words to announce that Mao has found his forever home with Anatoly ‘Toly’ Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana! This handsome chocolate seal point gentleman is now living his best life as a constant companion. Huge thank you to Toly for choosing adoption and giving Mao the love and attention he deserves. Welcome home, Mao! #AdoptDontShop #SiameseRescue”
About Mao
Mao is an 8-year-old, 2-month-old large male chocolate point (also described as chocolate seal point) Siamese with a short coat. Listed on Wagtopia as a sweet, social “faithful work assistant, all-star nap taker, and great conversationalist,” he enjoys sharing space with his people, occasionally climbing up for close snuggles, and is known for his signature yawn-meows, unique loaf styles, and post-wet-food zoomies. He is housetrained, spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, and thrives as a constant companion who dislikes being isolated. Adoption fee was listed at $100. He is noted as not ideal with kids or dogs. Prior to adoption he was in foster care through Austin Siamese Rescue; inquiries had been directed to foster contact Kaity.
About Austin Siamese Rescue
Austin Siamese Rescue, Inc. (also referred to as ATX Siamese Rescue) is a small, 100% volunteer-powered, foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded around 2007–2008. It focuses on the compassionate rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of Siamese cats and their non-Siamese companions across central Texas, Houston, San Antonio, and beyond. Cats are cared for exclusively in private foster homes rather than shelters. The organization takes in animals from shelters, neglect situations, owner surrenders, and other vulnerable circumstances, providing veterinary care (including spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping) before placement. Adoption fees typically range from $100 for seniors to higher amounts for younger cats and help offset medical costs. More information is available at austinsiameserescue.org.
About Anatoly “Toly” Yakovenko
Anatoly Yakovenko (born circa 1979–1980 in what was then Soviet Ukraine) is a software engineer and entrepreneur best known as co-founder of Solana Labs and a key architect of the Solana blockchain. He immigrated to the United States as a child in the early 1990s, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and spent more than a decade at Qualcomm working on high-performance systems before co-founding Solana. The network, launched in 2020, is recognized for its high throughput and low fees, powered in part by Yakovenko’s Proof of History concept. He is active on X as
@toly and has previously spoken publicly about his late shelter dog Ada.
The adoption highlights a growing trend of tech leaders supporting animal rescue efforts. Austin Siamese Rescue continues to seek fosters, adopters, and donations to help more cats in need.
