Overview
Jito is a set of Solana infrastructure built by Jito Labs and governed by the Jito DAO. It is best known for two things:
- JitoSOL, Solana’s largest liquid staking token: stake SOL, receive JitoSOL, and earn rewards while still using it in DeFi;
- the Jito client and block engine, software that lets validators earn MEV (maximal extractable value): tips traders pay to have their transactions included in a certain order.
The JTO token launched in December 2023 with a large airdrop, one of the events that kicked off Solana’s comeback.
How it works
When you stake SOL through Jito, it goes to many validators running Jito’s software. JitoSOL holders earn normal staking rewards plus a share of MEV tips, so JitoSOL usually earns slightly more than plain staking.
In 2025, Jito launched BAM (Block Assembly Marketplace), an open framework that lets validators order transactions in a more transparent way and lets apps add their own ordering rules. By Q2 2026, validators with about 33% of all Solana stake were using BAM.
In July 2026, Jito began early access to JTX, a self-custody trading platform aimed at rebuilding revenue.
The JTO token
| JTO at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Maximum supply | 1 billion JTO |
| In circulation (Oct 2026) | about 538 million |
| Price (29 Oct 2026) | about $0.42 |
| All-time high | about $6.01 (December 2023) |
| Market cap | about $226 million |
| JitoSOL deposits | about $1.05 billion (DeFiLlama) |
JTO is used to govern the Jito DAO, which earns fees from JitoSOL and the block engine. The DAO has discussed using revenue to buy back JTO.
Risks
- Falling revenue. Jito’s protocol revenue fell 45% to about $1.28 million in Q2 2026, as MEV tips halved.
- Competition. Other liquid staking tokens and staking services compete for deposits; JitoSOL deposits fell about 20% in Q2 2026.
- Unlocks. Nearly half of JTO is not yet in circulation.
- MEV debate. Some MEV strategies hurt ordinary traders, which brings criticism.
Jito vs. the competition
| Jito | Lido | Marinade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | Solana | Ethereum | Solana |
| Liquid staking token | JitoSOL | stETH | mSOL |
| Extra yield | MEV tips | — | — |
| Token | JTO | LDO | MNDE |
Our verdict
Jito is part of Solana’s backbone: JitoSOL is widely used, and its software shapes how Solana blocks are built. Institutions are adopting JitoSOL, and BAM is spreading fast.
But revenue fell sharply in 2026, and JTO trades about 93% below its high. JTO is a high-risk bet on Solana staking and MEV. Invest only what you can afford to lose.
This review is for information only and is not financial advice.