Decentralizing block building means BAM Nodes run by operators outside of Jito.
We're happy to announce the first cohort of third-party BAM Node operators: @triton_one, @Bitwise, and @solstrategies.
Read the full post for the onboarding phases and the path to full mainnet:
4.2/ 5
Our score
Very good
Type
Liquid staking
Protocol fee
4%
Withdrawal time
1 epoch (~2-3 days)
Receipt token
JitoSOL
Audited
Yes
What is Jito?
Jito is a liquid staking protocol and MEV infrastructure provider on the Solana blockchain. Users deposit SOL to receive JitoSOL, an appreciating receipt token that earns base staking yield alongside network transaction tips captured by the protocol's custom validator client. As of October 2026, total value locked in Jito's liquid staking pool is about $1.09B.
Team and investors
The protocol was co-founded by CEO Lucas Bruder, who holds a degree in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and Zano Sherwani. Development is led by Jito Labs, while protocol governance and treasury allocations are managed by the Jito Foundation and the JTO token DAO. Investors include Multicoin Capital, Framework Ventures, 6th Man Ventures, Placeholder, and Robot Ventures.
How liquid staking works
Depositors send SOL directly to the Jito stake pool through non-custodial wallet interactions without any identity verification. The protocol delegates assets across high-performing Solana validators managed by the Jito StakeNet system. In return, users receive JitoSOL, which accrues both staking emissions and transaction priority tips routed through the Jito Block Engine. The token can be freely transferred, held as collateral, or integrated into decentralized finance applications across Solana.
Restaking and trading infrastructure
Beyond liquid staking, Jito operates Jito Restaking, a multi-asset validation layer for Node Consensus Networks (NCNs) that issues Vault Receipt Tokens (VRTs). The organization also developed the BAM block-building framework to provide verifiable transaction ordering, as well as JTX, a dedicated venue for accessing Solana execution markets. Cumulative MEV tips routed across the architecture exceed $1B.
Security and protocol risks
Jito relies on the standard Solana Program Library stake pool program, with external security audits conducted by Neodyme. Using the protocol involves smart contract risk and exposure to Solana validator slashing mechanisms. In secondary markets, JitoSOL can also experience price depegs against native SOL during liquidity imbalances or extended unstaking queues.
Founders
Lucas BruderCo-Founder and CEO
Earned a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Zano SherwaniCo-Founder
Best for:Solana holders seeking MEV yieldDeFi traders using yield-bearing collateralNon-custodial SOL stakers
Pros and cons
Pros
- Over $1.09B in TVL on Solana as of October 2026
- Dual yield stream combining standard staking rewards with MEV tips
- Requires no KYC checks or identity verification to stake
- Smart contracts audited by security firm Neodyme
- Backed by major venture firms including Multicoin and Framework
Cons
- Restricted strictly to the Solana network
- Exposed to validator slashing and smart contract exploits
- JitoSOL secondary market trading carries receipt-token depeg risks
Our review
4.2/5
Very good
Jito pairs Solana liquid staking with MEV yield and deep ecosystem integration, though users remain exposed to smart contract execution risk and Solana validator concentration.
Jito is a liquid staking and MEV infrastructure layer on Solana, built around its stake pool receipt token, JitoSOL. Unlike standard native staking, Jito combines regular inflationary validator rewards with maximal extractable value (MEV) captured through its proprietary block engine and validator client. Deposited SOL appreciates against the token rather than rebasing, meaning the price of JitoSOL increases relative to SOL over time as yields and tip rewards accumulate.
The protocol held over $1.09B in total value locked in October 2026. This extensive liquidity makes JitoSOL widely accepted as primary collateral across Solana lending markets and decentralized exchanges. Operationally, the network uses StakeNet to automate delegation decisions across a diversified pool of high-performing Solana validators, reducing manual manager intervention and individual validator slashing risk. Codebases have undergone independent security audits from firms including Neodyme, in addition to the standard Solana program library stake-pool reviews.
However, staking through Jito involves real trade-offs. Users carry smart contract risk inherent to stake pool architecture and additional protocol layers such as restaking and block building. Stakers are also bound to standard Solana unbonding epochs unless they swap JitoSOL directly on the open market, where secondary liquidity can diverge during volatility. While Jito has expanded toward Node Consensus Networks and restaking, participation remains confined to the Solana blockchain.
Jito suits Solana holders who want to compound staking returns with MEV tips while deploying their liquid capital into DeFi. Direct native validator staking remains an alternative for holders seeking zero counterparty or smart contract risk.
Specs
| KYC required ⓘ | No · unverified |
|---|---|
| Type | Liquid staking |
| Stakeable assets | SOL |
| Receipt token | JitoSOL |
| Protocol fee | 4% · unverified |
| Withdrawal time | 1 epoch (~2-3 days) · unverified |
| Chains | Solana |
| Node operators | Jito-Solana validator network via StakeNet · unverified |
| Audited | Yes |
| Restaking | Yes · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Minimum stake, Slashing cover, Typical reward rate.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Dual reward accrual
JitoSOL automatically appreciates against SOL by pooling baseline validator inflation rewards with MEV tips.
StakeNet delegation
StakeNet autonomously routes staked SOL across Solana validators using verifiable onchain performance metrics.
MEV block engine
An off-chain auction system allows searchers to submit transaction bundles, returning priority fees directly to stakers.
Multi-asset restaking
Jito Restaking secures Node Consensus Networks, issuing Vault Receipt Tokens for deposited collateral.
BAM block building
The BAM framework provides programmable blockspace, verifiable ordering, and pre-execution privacy on Solana.
Inside Jito
JitoSOL
The core liquid staking pool where users deposit SOL to receive JitoSOL, accruing both base staking rewards and MEV tips.
JTX
A trading platform giving users direct execution access to Solana's market layer.
BAM
A block-building framework that introduces verifiable transaction ordering, pre-execution privacy, and programmable blockspace.
Jito Restaking
A multi-asset staking protocol for Node Consensus Networks that tokenizes deposited assets as Vault Receipt Tokens.
JTO Governance
The protocol governance system where JTO token holders manage DAO parameters, protocol upgrades, and treasury allocations.
What users say about Jito
There is currently insufficient user feedback to evaluate the platform, as provided discussions focus on general network mechanics and fundraising news rather than direct user experiences.
Based on 2 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Jito? Share your experience below.
Funding and investors
$12MTotal raised
2Rounds
5Investors
-
Series A Aug 2022 $10M
-
Funding round Amount undisclosed
FAQ
Who founded Jito?
Jito was co-founded by CEO Lucas Bruder, who holds an electrical and computer engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University, alongside Zano Sherwani.
What assets and chains does Jito support?
Jito operates exclusively on the Solana blockchain and primarily accepts SOL for liquid staking.
Does Jito require identity verification (KYC)?
No, interacting with the Jito stake pool and holding JitoSOL does not require KYC verification.
Has Jito been audited?
Yes, Jito smart contracts have been audited by Neodyme and use the audited Solana Program Library (SPL) stake pool standard.
Does Jito have a governance token?
Yes, JTO is the protocol's governance token, used to vote on proposals through the JTO DAO and participate in the Jito Foundation ecosystem.
How does JitoSOL generate MEV rewards?
The Jito Block Engine runs an off-chain auction system for transaction bundles, distributing searcher tips directly to participating stake pool validators and JitoSOL holders.
Latest from Jito on X
https://t.co/E1wJ4WiJ2y
Settlement in seconds. Collateral that moves 24/7. Wider access to US capital markets.
@RebeccaRettig1 on what tokenization offers public company CEOs (and their shareholders):
@RebeccaRettig1 on what tokenization offers public company CEOs (and their shareholders):
With Alpenglow live, vote transactions are no longer recorded in blocks. IBRL scores that rely on vote packing don't reflect the new consensus model.
The site is being refactored to account for this. Updates to follow.
The site is being refactored to account for this. Updates to follow.
Small blocks from BAM are down ~77%.
Fewer underfilled blocks means less validator revenue left on the table and less unused blockspace.
Read the full breakdown:
Fewer underfilled blocks means less validator revenue left on the table and less unused blockspace.
Read the full breakdown:
Recent public posts from @jito, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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