Jupiter Exchange Upgrades Platform, Acquires Moonshot, Launches $10M AI Fund
Solana-based decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator Jupiter made a splash at its "Catstanbul 2025" event, announcing a major platform redesign, the acquisition of memecoin platform Moonshot, and the launch of a $10 million fund for open-source AI development. These announcements, coupled with the introduction of the ambitious "Jupnet" initiative, signal Jupiter's intent to solidify its position as a leading force in the rapidly evolving DeFi landscape.
Jupiter V2: A Revamped Platform with Enhanced Features
Jupiter's "V2" redesign, currently in beta, promises a host of new features, including real-time slippage estimation, an "ultra mode" for optimized trading, and smart trigger orders. The platform also unveiled "Jupiter Shield," a new security tool designed to protect user assets. These upgrades are expected to roll out over the next few weeks.
Moonshot Acquisition: Expanding Jupiter's Reach in the Memecoin Space
In a move aimed at consolidating its position, Jupiter announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Moonshot, a memecoin platform that recently gained popularity. The value of the deal was not immediately disclosed, but Moonshot has been drawing comparisons to the Solana-based platform Pump.fun.
Jupnet: A Unified Crypto Future?
Perhaps the most ambitious announcement was "Jupnet," an omnichain network that aims to "aggregate all of crypto in one single decentralized ledger." Jupnet, currently in early testnet with a public beta planned in the coming months, envisions a world where users can access all chains, currencies, and commodities through a single account. The proposal introduces decentralized and independent validators that would create a single source of truth across many blockchains while also being able to execute transactions on different blockchains.
Investing in AI: The $10 Million "Magic Fund"
On the AI front, Jupiter unveiled a $10 million "Magic Fund" to support open-source AI development in conjunction with Eliza Labs, the team behind the AI agent project ai16z. Eliza Labs founder Shaw Walters also teased a "v2" of the ElizaOS platform, with a research preview in March and a public launch in April.
Expanding Horizons: Virtuals Joins the Solana Ecosystem
Adding to the flurry of announcements, AI agent platform Virtuals revealed its expansion to Solana, after originally launching on Coinbase's Base Ethereum Layer 2 network. Virtuals also announced initiatives to support developers and projects across both Solana and Base.