Jito

Jito is a major Solana protocol operating at the intersection of liquid staking and MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) infrastructure. It has become core infrastructure for the Solana network, with its validator client and block engine used by the majority of Solana validators. Jito's liquid staking product, JitoSOL, allows users to stake SOL and receive a liquid staking token that accrues both traditional staking rewards and additional MEV tips. This combination typically results in higher staking yields than standard liquid staking protocols, as MEV earnings supplement base staking rewards. JitoSOL is widely integrated across Solana DeFi. The MEV infrastructure layer is Jito's most impactful product for the network. The Jito Block Engine and Jito-Solana validator client enable efficient transaction ordering and bundle submissions, allowing searchers to submit bundles of transactions with tips that incentivize validators to include them. This formalized MEV market reduces the chaotic transaction spam that previously congested the network. The JTO governance token was distributed via one of Solana's largest airdrops and gives holders voting power over protocol parameters. Jito's dual positioning — consumer-facing liquid staking and infrastructure-level MEV — makes it one of the most systemically important protocols on Solana. Understanding Jito's role is essential for anyone deep in the Solana ecosystem.