What is Jito and what is JitoSOL?

Jito is a group of Solana protocols built around MEV (maximal extractable value) and staking, and JitoSOL is its liquid staking token. When you stake SOL in the Jito stake pool, you receive JitoSOL, which you can hold or use in other apps while your SOL keeps earning. Jito's docs say JitoSOL accrues value from both staking rewards and MEV rewards.

What is JitoSOL, or Jito Staked SOL?

JitoSOL is a form of liquid staking. Its exchange rate is the total SOL in the pool divided by the number of JitoSOL tokens. Rewards add SOL to the pool while the token supply stays the same, so each JitoSOL is worth gradually more SOL over time. Staking rewards arrive at each Solana epoch, roughly every two days. The FAQ notes the rate could fall in rare cases such as a smart contract bug.

As of October 2026, Jito's FAQ describes two ways out. Direct unstaking takes up to about one epoch and has a 0.1% fee. Selling JitoSOL on an exchange such as Jupiter is instant but depends on market prices. For staking SOL directly, see how to stake Solana.

What does Jito do on Solana?

Jito's main job is handling MEV on Solana. Traders and bots, often called searchers, can send groups of up to five transactions, called bundles, that run in order and either all succeed or all fail. They attach a tip in SOL to win priority.

These bundles go to Jito's block engine, which checks them, simulates them and auctions block space to the highest-paying bundles. It forwards the winners to validators running the Jito-Solana client. QuickNode noted in April 2025 that this client ran on about 95% of Solana stake at that time. Tips are collected each epoch and shared through a system called TipRouter. Jito's FAQ lists a 3% protocol fee on MEV, with the remaining 97% going to validators and stakers, which is how JitoSOL holders earn MEV rewards.

What is Jito Labs, and what is the JTO token?

Jito Labs is the developer that builds and maintains this infrastructure, including the Jito-Solana client and block engine, according to Chainstack. The separate Jito Foundation supports ecosystem growth under the direction of the Jito DAO. In September 2025, Jito launched its Block Assembly Marketplace (BAM) on Solana mainnet, a newer system for ordering transactions.

JTO is the DAO's governance token. Trust Wallet reported that its airdrop began on December 7, 2023, that the maximum supply is 1 billion JTO and that 10% went to the airdrop. JTO holders can vote on matters such as JitoSOL pool fees and how stake is delegated to validators.