Meteora Unveils ‘Rate Limiter’ to Block Sniper Bots on Token Launches

On June 13, Meteora launched a major upgrade to its A.S.S. (Automated Smart Strategy) system, introducing the “Rate Limiter.” The latest feature targets sniper bots that often dominate token launches. According to Meteora’s post on X, Rate Limiter applies higher taxes on large buys at launch. It also allows smaller retail trades to proceed with little or no fee. The initiative aims to enhance fairness and create a more even token distribution on Day 1. This comes after Jupiter Co-founder Meow had previously praised Meteora’s dynamic bonding curve for its anti-sniping capabilities on May 27.

Rate Limiter: A New Barrier Against Sniper Bots

Rate Limiter works by applying a dynamic fee schedule on buy orders based on the amount of SOL used. A reference amount is set at 1 SOL with a base fee of 100 basis points (bps). Each 1 SOL increment increases the fee by 100 bps. For instance, a 1 SOL buy incurs a 1% fee, while a 4 SOL buy incurs a 4% fee. Larger sniper buys, like those exceeding 4 SOL, pay up to 0.1 SOL in fees.

Source: Meteora X Post on June 13, 2025

Retail traders benefit from minimal charges, such as a 0.01 SOL fee for smaller orders. In contrast, large bot-driven trades are taxed heavily at the start. This fee barrier discourages bots from front-running the launch. Moreover, reduces price manipulation and promotes broader token ownership among genuine users. The visual model published shows how sniper bots will now face escalating costs, preventing them from dominating early-stage trades. This strategic move adds another layer to Meteora’s growing list of anti-sniping protections.

Impact on Retail Trading and Fair Launches

Meteora’s Rate Limiter creates a more balanced launch environment. Small-scale traders, often priced out by automated bots, can now enter without facing unfair price jumps. By allowing smaller trades to pass with lower fees, Meteora supports organic price discovery. The aim is to remove the advantage sniper bots gain from speed and volume. Without the ability to make early, large trades cheaply, bots lose incentive. The system thereby attracts more natural trading activity, increasing market confidence and user participation. The visual fee structure makes it clear that a gradual cost increase ties directly to trade size. This predictable model allows developers and traders to plan more transparently.

From Genesis Scheduler to Rate Limiter

The Rate Limiter follows earlier innovations like the Genesis Fee Scheduler, introduced on June 3. That model started trading fees at up to 90% before dropping sharply. It was praised for discouraging early bot activity and protecting retail interest. On May 27, Jupiter Co-founder Meow also acknowledged the Candle Launchpad’s success in integrating Meteora’s dynamic bonding curve. 

The launchpad offered three fundraising presets that include Pump ($5K), Run ($50K with 200 SOL liquidity), and Runner ($150K with 500 SOL lock). These fundraising models offered token project teams flexibility and fairness while leveraging Solana’s speed. Meteora supports SOL, USDC, and JUP as quote tokens. Each token launch offers immediate trading access via Jupiter. These features have made the platform one of the most dynamic liquidity providers in the Solana ecosystem. The addition of Rate Limiter aligns with Meteora’s strategy to improve DeFi fairness and sustainability without limiting innovation or speed.

Stronger Launch Controls for Better DeFi Health

Rate Limiter sets a new standard for fair token launches. By penalizing large and early buys with higher fees, the tool prevents sudden price surges caused by bot attacks. Meteora continues to evolve its platform, focusing on decentralized fairness, healthy liquidity, and long-term sustainability. As more projects adopt Meteora’s tools, balanced token distributions and safer launch environments will likely become the norm. The strategic upgrades, including Rate Limiter and Genesis Scheduler, position Meteora as a leader in next-gen DeFi mechanics. Powered by Solana, Meteora’s platform offers a real-time, low-cost infrastructure ideal for such dynamic trading controls. These innovations are expected to reshape launch strategies across multiple ecosystems.