Editing Mint authority

**Mint authority** is the address allowed to create new units of a [[Solana]] SPL token; with the related **freeze authority**, it is one of two roles stored on a token's mint account.[^1][^2] Whether these authorities have been revoked is one of the first checks memecoin traders make, because a retained mint authority can dilute holders and a retained freeze authority can trap them.[^4]

## How it works
A Solana token is defined by a mint account, created with a mint authority and an optional freeze authority; the mint authority signs every instruction that mints new tokens.[^1] Mint accounts store the mint and freeze authorities, while each holder's token account stores an owner and, optionally, a close authority.[^2] The current authority can hand a role to another address or set it to none; setting it to none removes the role permanently, so it can never be reassigned.[^2]

The freeze authority can freeze any token account of that mint. A frozen account keeps its balance but cannot send, receive or burn tokens until thawed. Only a mint that still has a freeze authority can freeze accounts; once it is revoked, they can no longer be frozen.[^3]

Token metadata has a separate update authority, which can change a token's name, symbol and logo; an explorer showing it as not mutable means it has been revoked.[^4]

## Why revoking matters
Helius describes a retained freeze authority as a way to build a [[Honeypot]]: buyers purchase a token, then find their accounts frozen and cannot sell.[^4] A retained mint authority lets its holder issue new supply. Helius suggests that tokens with a legitimate need, such as stablecoins, keep the freeze authority under a multisig.[^4]

Solana's Token-2022 program adds further authorities through extensions chosen at mint creation, including a permanent delegate.[^6] In September 2024 a token called RED used its permanent delegate to burn a buyer's tokens seconds after purchase; PeckShield said the feature can move or burn tokens held by any account of the mint.[^5]

## Launchpads
[[pump.fun]] and [[LetsBonk]] set the mint authority to null for every token they launch, so creators cannot mint more supply.[^4] Revoked authorities do not prevent a [[Rug pull]] by selling, which is the usual exit on launchpads.

## Checking
Helius's Orb explorer shows a token's mint, freeze and update authorities on its overview and Authority tab; a missing freeze authority row means the token has none.[^4]

## Timeline
- 2024-01-24: Solana Foundation publishes its developer guide to token extensions[^6]
- 2024-09-03: RED permanent-delegate burn reported[^5]

## See also
- [[Glossary of trenching terms]]
- [[List of memecoin traders]]
- [[Trenches]]
- [[Liquidity pool]]
- [[Sniping]]
- [[Bundling]]
- [[Copy trading]]
- [[KOL]]

## References
1. [Token basics](https://solana.com/docs/tokens/basics), Solana documentation, n.d.
2. [Set authority](https://solana.com/docs/tokens/basics/set-authority), Solana documentation, n.d.
3. [Freeze account](https://solana.com/docs/tokens/basics/freeze-account), Solana documentation, n.d.
4. [How to Find Solana Mint, Freeze, and Update Authority](https://www.helius.dev/docs/orb/explore-authorities), Helius, n.d.
5. [Scammers have found a way to burn tokens from inside Solana wallets](https://cointelegraph.com/news/new-solana-scam-burn-tokens-from-inside-sol-wallets), Cointelegraph, 2024-09-04
6. [A Developer's Guide to Token Extensions on Solana](https://solana.com/news/token-extensions-developer-guide), Solana Foundation, 2024-01-24