Crypto market data provided by CoinCap APIWhat Is Jupiter Cryptocurrency?
Jupiter is a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator built on the Solana blockchain, a high-speed, low-cost Layer 1 network rivaling Ethereum. Launched in October 2021 by a pseudonymous founder known as “Meow,” Jupiter optimizes token trading by sourcing the best prices and routes from multiple Solana-based DEXs like Raydium, Orca, and Saber. It’s not a standalone exchange but a middleman that enhances liquidity and efficiency, making it a vital piece of Solana’s DeFi (decentralized finance) ecosystem.
In the crypto world, Jupiter is recognized for its user-friendly interface, near-zero fees (thanks to Solana’s architecture), and its growing ambition to become a broader blockchain infrastructure player. Its native token, $JUP, powers governance and ties its community to the platform’s future.
How It Works
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Aggregation: Jupiter scans Solana’s DEXs to find the optimal swap path for any token pair (e.g., SOL to USDC). It splits trades across multiple pools if needed to minimize slippage and maximize value.
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Transaction Fees: Paid in SOL, not $JUP, and typically cost less than $0.01 due to Solana’s efficiency (contrast with Ethereum’s $1-$20+ gas fees).
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Solana Backbone: Leverages Solana’s 65,000 transactions-per-second (TPS) capacity and sub-second finality, making trades near-instant.
The $JUP Token
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Role: Governance token for the Jupiter DAO, letting holders vote on upgrades, fee allocation, and more. It’s not used for paying fees.
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Total Supply: 10 billion $JUP.
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50% for the team/investors (with vesting schedules).
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50% for the community (airdrops, staking rewards, etc.).
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Circulating Supply (March 7, 2025): ~2.64 billion, per recent data.
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Launch: Airdropped on January 31, 2024 (“Jupuary”), with 1 billion $JUP distributed to ~955,000 early users based on swap volume and engagement.
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Airdrops: More planned—e.g., 700 million $JUP dropped in January 2025.
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Buybacks: 50% of Jupiter’s swap fees (0.1%-0.3% per trade) fund $JUP buybacks, locking tokens for three years to reduce supply.
Key Features
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Swaps: Core function—trade any Solana token with the best rates.
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Limit Orders: Set specific buy/sell prices, rare for DEXs.
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Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA): Automate gradual buys to reduce volatility risk.
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Perpetual Futures: Beta feature for leveraged trading.
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Bridge Comparator: Helps users move assets to Solana from Ethereum, Arbitrum, etc., at the lowest cost.
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Mobile App: Launched in 2024, integrates swaps, portfolio tracking, and fiat on-ramps (e.g., Apple Pay).