# Mint authority

#### What is Mint Authority in Solana?

When trading tokens on the Solana blockchain, it’s important to understand **mint authority**. Here’s a simple explanation:

***

**Definition:**

**Mint Authority** refers to the power held by the token creator to mint (create) new tokens. If mint authority is enabled, the developer or creator can mint unlimited tokens, increasing the total supply.

***

**Example of Mint Authority Abuse:**

Some bad actors might exploit mint authority by suddenly creating a large number of new tokens. This increase in supply can drastically reduce the value of the tokens you hold—similar to how printing more money causes inflation—especially if the developers sell those new tokens on the market.

***

**How to Protect Yourself from Mint Authority Risks**

* **Check for Mint Authority:**\
  Before buying any token, use tools like RugCheck to verify whether mint authority is still active. If mint authority remains with the creator, they can mint more tokens at any time.
* **Verify on Birdeye:**\
  Look up the token’s information on [Birdeye](https://birdeye.so) to see if mint authority has been revoked. If no one holds mint authority, the token supply can’t be increased.
* **Monitor Token Supply:**\
  Keep an eye on the total supply of the token. Sudden spikes could mean new tokens are being minted, which might affect the token’s price.

***

By understanding mint authority and checking it before trading with ARCHER, you can make safer, more informed investment decisions.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.archerbot.io/safety-and-security/how-to-trade-safely/mint-authority.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.