How Token Authorities Work on Solana
What authorities are
When a token is created on Solana, its mint account records optional authority addresses. Each one is a privilege held by a key or program. Whoever controls an authority can use it until it is set to none. A token with active authorities relies on the trustworthiness of the holder.
The three main authorities
- Mint authority: can create new tokens, which increases supply and can dilute holders.
- Freeze authority: can freeze a token account, blocking transfers from it. Some projects use this for compliance, but it can also be abused.
- Metadata update authority: can change the name, symbol, image link and other descriptive data. Changing these can mislead people about what a token is.
Other extensions, such as those in Token-2022, can add further controls. The standards differ, see Solana Token Standards.
What revoking means
Revoking sets an authority to none. This is a one way action: once revoked, nobody can restore it. With the mint authority revoked, supply cannot grow beyond what exists, apart from any burns that reduce it, see How Token Burns Work on Solana. With the freeze authority revoked, no one can freeze your token account. With the update authority revoked, the metadata is fixed.
What revoking does not mean
Revoked authorities remove specific risks, not all of them. A token with no authorities can still be a scam if the creator holds most of the supply and sells, or if the liquidity can be pulled. Read How to Spot a Rug Pull in Crypto and How to Read Token Holder Distribution as well.
The status of QNT
For QUANTUM (QNT), contract address DeqsPTYwvsNjkf5G8zDxziUnFPp55nQZA4vrNM2apump, the mint authority, freeze authority and metadata update authority were each read on-chain as revoked on 2026-10-08. QNT uses the Token-2022 program with metadata pointer and token metadata extensions. Launch supply was 1,000,000,000 with 6 decimals. Tokens launched on pump.fun commonly have their authorities handled by the platform's launch flow, but always verify the specific token instead of assuming.
How to check any token
- Copy the contract address from a source you trust, see How to Verify a Solana Token Contract Before You Buy.
- Open the mint in an explorer and look for mint, freeze and update authority fields.
- Confirm that they show as none or disabled.
A walkthrough for QNT is in How to Verify QUANTUM (QNT) on Solscan Step by Step.
Some authorities are held by programs or multisignature groups instead of a single person, which changes the trust picture but does not remove it. An authority that is not revoked is a standing capability, so ask who holds it, whether it can be used silently, and what limits exist. Revocation answers those questions in the strongest possible way for the powers it covers.
It is also worth knowing that authorities are separate from ownership of your own tokens. Your balance sits in your token account, controlled by your wallet key. An active mint authority does not let someone take it, but it can change the overall supply, and an active freeze authority can block your account. That is why each one is checked on its own.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mint authority?
The power to create new tokens for a mint. If it is active, supply can be increased. If it is revoked, supply can never be increased again.
What does a freeze authority do?
It can freeze a token account so tokens cannot be moved out of it. When revoked, no one has that power.
Can a revoked authority be restored?
No. Revocation is permanent and cannot be undone by anyone.
Are QNT's authorities revoked?
Yes. The mint, freeze and metadata update authorities were each read as revoked on-chain on 2026-10-08. Anyone can check this on a block explorer.
Does a revoked mint authority make a token safe?
No. It removes one risk, but concentrated holdings, pulled liquidity and scam behaviour are separate risks.
Where do I check authorities?
On the token's mint page in a block explorer, in the fields describing mint, freeze and update authority.
Keep reading
- How to Verify a Solana Token Contract Before You Buy
A checklist to verify a Solana token: confirm the contract address, check mint and freeze authority, supply and holders on Solscan. - What Is a Token Mint and Token Supply on Solana?
A token mint is the Solana account that defines a token and tracks its supply. Learn what mint authority, decimals and supply mean and how to check them. - How Token Burns Work on Solana
How a token burn works on Solana: the burn instruction that cuts total supply, versus sending tokens to a dead address, and how to verify each on an explorer. - How to Spot a Rug Pull in Crypto
A rug pull is when creators drain a token's value and vanish. Learn the common warning signs on Solana and the on-chain checks that reduce your risk.
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