On Solana, a meaningful share of validator revenue comes from transaction ordering rather than issuance. Most staking products keep that revenue or ignore it. Jito built the infrastructure to capture it and passes it to stakers, which is why JitoSOL has consistently outyielded competitors and become the largest Solana LST.
How the yield is higher
Validators in the Jito network run a modified client that runs an off-chain block auction, collecting tips from searchers who want specific transaction ordering. Those tips flow back to the stake pool and therefore to JitoSOL holders. The result is a yield premium over plain staking, achieved without additional protocol risk beyond running a modified client.
The chokepoint question
The same infrastructure means a large share of Solana blocks are built through Jito's engine. That is economic influence over the chain's transaction ordering concentrated in one organisation — not stake concentration exactly, but a related concern, and one that matters more as MEV revenue grows. Jito has made governance and policy changes in response to community pressure before, which is both reassuring and a demonstration of how much discretion it holds.
Mechanics and liquidity
JitoSOL accrues value rather than rebasing, is accepted across Solana DeFi as collateral, and unstakes either through the pool's delayed withdrawal or instantly on secondary markets. Liquidity is the deepest of any Solana LST.
Who should use it
Solana holders wanting the highest reliable staking yield with deep liquidity. Those prioritising validator decentralisation should consider Marinade, which deliberately spreads stake toward smaller operators.