Solana-based decentralized exchange Jupiter has decided to temporarily suspend all DAO voting activities through the end of 2025.
The decision comes amid internal tensions and ongoing criticism of how the platform’s decentralized governance has functioned, according to Jupiter core contributor Kash Dhanda.
He explained in a post on X that the protocol is navigating a “critical period” for growth and innovation, and current governance dynamics have led to a cycle of FUD, mistrust, and misalignment between stakeholders.
Refocusing efforts on growth and product development
Dhanda emphasized that while DAO participation has been foundational to Jupiter’s ecosystem, the system is no longer producing the cohesion and progress it was initially intended to foster.
As a result, the team will use the remainder of 2025 to prioritize platform expansion, particularly through projects like Jupiter Lend, the Jupiter Mobile app, and a broader initiative to onboard users via “Jupnet.”
No new DAO-funded Work Groups will be launched during this period, and there will be no fresh $JUP emissions beyond what was already approved.
The Community Reserve and Litterbox Trust will remain untouched until governance resumes.
Active Staking Rewards (ASR) will continue, with 50 million JUP distributed per quarter, and previously funded Work Groups will maintain their operations.
The pause, according to Dhanda, is intended to give room for faster execution while the team and community reimagine a governance framework that better aligns long-term goals and contributor incentives.
This mirrors a trend in the industry, as seen earlier this month when Yuga Labs also opted to dismantle its ApeCoin DAO for similar reasons.
Looking ahead to 2026
The Jupiter team stated that DAO governance will return in 2026 with what they call a “fresh approach,” one that aims to unify contributors and provide more effective coordination around capital, development, and community direction.
While some JUP holders expressed concern about the utility of the token during this transition, others see the move as an opportunity to build a more productive ecosystem.
In the meantime, Jupiter plans to continue supporting contributors and collecting community feedback through its Feedback Forums, with the broader goal of becoming a key aggregator in onchain markets.
