Jito

Introduction to Jito

Jito built the first MEV-aware liquid staking protocol on Solana, solving a problem unique to high-performance blockchains: how do ordinary stakers benefit from the value extraction happening on-chain? By running a modified validator client that captures MEV and distributing those rewards to stakers, Jito created alignment between network participants.

The protocol grew to dominate Solana liquid staking, with JitoSOL becoming the most used liquid staking token on the network. The massive JTO airdrop—one of the most valuable in Solana history—rewarded early users and established strong community ownership.

How Jito Works

Liquid Staking

Core product:

• Deposit SOL, receive JitoSOL
• JitoSOL appreciates vs. SOL
• Staking rewards accumulate
• Maintain liquidity

MEV Capture

Value extraction:

• Jito validator client
• Block space auctions
• MEV redistribution
• Additional rewards to stakers

Jito Block Engine

Infrastructure:

• Searcher auction platform
• Bundle submission
• Fair ordering
• MEV democratization

Technical Specifications

Metric	Value
Network	Solana
TVL	$2B+
Token	JitoSOL (LST), JTO (governance)
Validators	200+ using Jito client
MEV Distribution	Yes

The JTO Token

Utility

JTO serves multiple purposes:

• Governance: Protocol decisions
• Staking: Earn protocol fees
• Treasury: Control allocation
• Ecosystem: Incentive programs

Tokenomics

Supply distribution:

• 10% airdrop
• Community allocation
• Ecosystem development
• Core contributors

The Airdrop

Historic distribution:

• Largest Solana airdrop
• Based on JitoSOL usage
• Points system
• Significant value

JitoSOL

Liquid Staking Token

LST mechanics:

• Represents staked SOL
• Exchange rate increases
• Composable in DeFi
• Instant unstaking options

MEV Boost

Additional yield:

• Standard staking rewards
• Plus MEV redistribution
• Higher APY than regular staking
• Competitive advantage

Adoption

Market position:

• Leading Solana LST
• Billions in TVL
• Wide DeFi integration
• Strong liquidity

MEV on Solana

What is MEV

Maximal Extractable Value:

• Arbitrage opportunities
• Liquidations
• Sandwich trades
• Block producer advantages

Jito’s Approach

Structured extraction:

• Auction-based system
• Searcher competition
• Fair distribution
• Network efficiency

Block Engine

MEV infrastructure:

• Searchers submit bundles
• Priority auctions
• Atomic execution
• Tip distribution

Validator Client

Jito-Solana

Modified validator:

• Based on Solana client
• MEV-aware block building
• Bundle processing
• Tip collection

Adoption

Network coverage:

• Majority of stake uses Jito
• Network-wide MEV capture
• Standardized approach
• Ecosystem benefit

Competition and Positioning

vs. Other Solana LSTs

LST	TVL	MEV	Focus
JitoSOL	Highest	Yes	MEV rewards
mSOL	High	No	Decentralization
bSOL	Medium	No	Blaze ecosystem
INF	Growing	No	Sanctum

Jito Differentiation

Key advantages:

• MEV rewards
• Validator client dominance
• First-mover advantage
• Strong integrations

ReStaking Expansion

Jito ReStaking

New product:

• Stake JitoSOL further
• Secure additional networks
• Extra yield opportunities
• Similar to EigenLayer concept

AVS Opportunities

Solana services:

• Oracle networks
• Keeper systems
• Bridges
• Infrastructure services

Governance

DAO Structure

Decentralized control:

• JTO voting
• Proposal system
• Treasury management
• Parameter updates

Key Decisions

Governance scope:

• Fee parameters
• Validator delegation
• Treasury allocation
• Protocol upgrades

Challenges and Criticism

MEV Centralization

Concerns:

• Block Engine dominance
• Single point of failure
• Censorship potential
• Network dependency

Validator Concentration

Staking distribution:

• Large validators benefit more
• Centralization pressure
• Delegation algorithms
• Geographic distribution

Competition

Market dynamics:

• New LSTs launching
• Protocol wars
• Fee competition
• Innovation pressure

Recent Developments

StakeNet Launch

Decentralization initiative:

• Automated delegation
• Validator selection algorithm
• Reduced manual intervention
• Network health optimization

ReStaking Progress

New product development:

• Infrastructure buildout
• Partner AVS
• Economic design
• Community testing

Future Roadmap

Development priorities:

• ReStaking: Full launch
• Decentralization: StakeNet expansion
• Governance: Community control
• Products: New offerings
• Ecosystem: Integrations

Conclusion

Jito solved the MEV distribution problem on Solana, creating a system where ordinary stakers benefit from value extraction rather than just validators and searchers. JitoSOL’s dominance in Solana liquid staking validates the approach.

The validator client’s widespread adoption created network-wide MEV infrastructure, though this concentration raises centralization concerns. The expansion into restaking represents an attempt to build on the successful foundation.

For Solana users seeking liquid staking with MEV rewards and for those interested in Solana’s MEV ecosystem, Jito provides essential infrastructure—though understanding the MEV landscape and concentration risks is important for informed participation.