Jupiter (JUP) makes decentralised trading easier. It does this by helping users to trade tokens at the best prices, scanning multiple decentralised exchanges (DEXs) to find the cheapest and fastest routes for transactions, to save users money and reduce price changes during trades.
Note
Luno does not currently support sending or receiving JUP, but you can still buy or sell it like any of our other cryptocurrencies. This decision has been made in order to ensure there are appropriate controls in place to maintain the highest standards of investor protection. Learn more about why you can't send or receive JUP.
Who created Jupiter?
Jupiter was developed by Meow, an anonymous developer and key figure in the Solana ecosystem. The platform was launched in 2021 to solve the issue of liquidity fragmentation and make decentralised finance (DeFi) trading more user-friendly.
Meow’s goal was to build a smooth, intuitive tool that would offer traders the best prices with minimal hassle, helping to drive the growth of Solana's DeFi space.
Although Meow’s true identity remains private, they maintain an active presence within the community, frequently sharing updates, insights, and future plans through various social media channels. This open and involved approach has earned Jupiter the trust and loyalty of its users, cementing its role as a major player in Solana’s DeFi ecosystem.
How does Jupiter work?
Jupiter is a decentralised exchange (DEX) aggregator on the Solana blockchain. It scans multiple DEXs to find the best price and lowest fees for your token trades. By analyzing liquidity across different platforms, Jupiter identifies the most efficient trading routes, even combining multiple DEXs if necessary.
When you make a trade, Jupiter can split it into smaller transactions and route them through various exchanges to avoid large price swings (slippage) and ensure you get the most value. It also accounts for network fees and trade size, balancing all factors to optimise the outcome.
This entire process happens automatically in seconds, without you needing to manually compare prices or worry about complex calculations.
What is Jupiter’s native cryptocurrency?
Jupiter’s native cryptocurrency is called JUP. As the platform’s official token, JUP plays a central role in powering the ecosystem and rewarding users. JUP tokens may be used for governance, allowing holders to vote on important decisions regarding the platform’s future. In addition, JUP could unlock special features or provide trading discounts as the platform evolves. As Jupiter continues to grow, the JUP token is expected to play an even larger role in shaping the platform and offering users a voice in its development.
Security incidents
Jupiter has experienced the following security incidents:
Jupiter’s official X account hacked (February 2025)
On February 6, 2025, Jupiter’s official social media account was compromised by hackers who posted links to fake meme tokens (e.g., $MEOW and later $DCOIN), causing traders to lose money after interacting with the scam posts. The project warned users not to click any links while they regained control of the account, and assured that on‑chain funds and smart contracts were secure. Source: The Block
Jupuary Claim Process Exposed Email Addresses On‑Chain (January 2025)
A security “quirk” in Jupiter’s Jupuary airdrop claim system caused ~4,800 personal email addresses to be broadcast on‑chain and linked to Solana wallets, raising privacy concerns for affected users; Jupiter later removed the linkages and said it will improve the system. Source: SolanaFloor
Li.Fi Exploit (July 2024)
LI.FI was exploited through a vulnerable smart contract, resulting in about $11 million drained from wallets with unlimited token approvals. The team published a post‑mortem on July 18, 2024, disabled the vulnerable component, and is working with law enforcement and security partners. Source: Coin Telegraph
The above list of incidents may not be exhaustive. As always, it’s important that you do your own research to ensure you’re comfortable with an asset’s associated risks before investing in it.
Token supply and concentration
Jupiter has a maximum supply of 6.86B JUP, with 45% in circulation as of January 2026. The top 10 wallet addresses collectively hold ~1.64 billion JUP (~23.9% of the maximum 6.86 billion token supply).
Visit this external link to see the distribution among JUP’s top token holders.
Tip
Are you keen to explore Jupiter a bit more? You can learn about JUP basics and get all the latest cryptocurrency news on Luno Discover.
Want to know how to buy or sell JUP? We’ve got answers in the following help articles:
This information is not intended to be nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, investment or other advice; nor is it a call to trade. The information is intended as general market commentary for information purposes only. Before making any decision or taking any action regarding your finances, you should consult a qualified Financial Advisor.