Mint, Freeze and Update Authority on Solana, Explained
Updated 2026-09-06 · 5 min read
Three permissions decide how much control a token creator keeps after launch. They are public, they are checked automatically by every scanner, and they are the first thing an experienced buyer looks at.
Mint authority
The mint authority is the address allowed to issue new tokens. While it is active, the supply is a number that can change at any moment, which makes every market-cap calculation provisional.
Revoking it sets the authority to none, permanently. There is no way to restore it — that is the entire point, and why buyers treat it as meaningful.
Freeze authority
The freeze authority can freeze any individual token account, which prevents that holder from transferring or selling. It exists for regulated assets that need the ability to block accounts.
On a typical permissionless meme coin, an active freeze authority is a strong red flag because the authority can freeze token accounts. Some regulated or specialised tokens may have legitimate reasons to keep it.
Update authority
The update authority controls the metadata: name, symbol and image. Keeping it lets you fix a broken image URL or a typo in the description.
It also lets someone rebrand a token entirely after people have bought it. That is why the safer pattern is to keep it just long enough to confirm the metadata renders correctly everywhere, then revoke it.
How to check any token's authorities
- Paste the mint address into a rug scanner and read the mint and freeze authority lines directly.
- Or open the mint account on a Solana explorer — the authorities are fields on the account itself, visible to anyone.
- Do not trust a screenshot or a claim in a chat. The chain is the source of truth and it takes seconds to check.
The trade-off nobody mentions
Revoking powerful authorities can reduce creator control, and it is irreversible. If your metadata is wrong or its underlying asset becomes unavailable after you revoke update authority, you cannot fix it through that authority. Verify the details first, then lock what you intend to make permanent.
Frequently asked questions
Can revoked authorities be restored?
No. Revocation sets the authority to none permanently. That irreversibility is what makes it a credible signal.
Is an active freeze authority always malicious?
Not always — some regulated or utility tokens need it. On a meme coin there is no good reason for it, and buyers will treat it as a red flag.
Should I revoke update authority immediately?
Check first that the name, symbol and image display correctly in wallets and on chart sites, then revoke. After revocation the metadata cannot be corrected.
Does revoking authorities cost anything?
It is an on-chain instruction, so it costs the standard Solana transaction fee only.