When speed matters and every cent in fees counts, crypto users don’t have time to wait around. That’s exactly where Raydium Protocol comes in.
Built on Solana, a blockchain known for its high throughput and low fees, Raydium is a hybrid protocol that combines the simplicity of an automated market maker (AMM) with the power of a central limit order book.
This unique design gives users the best of both worlds: deep liquidity and lightning-fast trades.
Since its launch in early 2021, Raydium has carved out a leading role in the Solana ecosystem.
It’s become a go-to platform not only for swapping tokens but also for yield farming, staking, launching new projects, and powering NFT drops. All without leaving the chain.
In this article, we’ll explore how Raydium works, what makes it a standout in the Solana ecosystem, and how its integration with tools like Klever Swap and Vox Swap is expanding access to deep, fast, and affordable liquidity for Solana token pairs.
Main Information About Raydium Protocol
| Token Name | Raydium |
| Ticker | RAY |
| Category | AMM and DEX Protocol on Solana |
| Founder(s) | Anonymous team: “AlphaRay,” “XRay,” and others |
| Blockchain | Solana |
| Consensus | Proof of History (PoH) + Proof of Stake (PoS) |
| Launch Date | February 2021 |
| Explorer | solscan.io |
| Max Supply | 555,000,000 RAY |
| Circulating Supply | Approximately 290,000,000 RAY* |
*Note: Circulating supply may vary over time due to factors such as token emissions and scheduled unlocks.
A Brief History of Raydium
Raydium launched in February 2021 with a clear purpose: to bring high-speed, low-cost decentralized finance to the Solana ecosystem.
Built by a team with deep expertise in trading and blockchain infrastructure—known in the community as AlphaRay, XRay, and GammaRay—Raydium entered the space with strong technical vision and sharp execution.
From the beginning, Raydium introduced a fresh approach.
It became the first automated market maker (AMM) designed to connect directly with Solana’s central order book infrastructure, through integration with Serum (now OpenBook).
This connection empowered Raydium users with access to shared liquidity across the broader Solana network, enabling faster trades, tighter spreads, and more efficient pricing.
Backed by Solana’s performance and scalability, Raydium became a powerful hub for token swaps, liquidity provisioning, staking, and project launches.
How Raydium Works
Raydium operates on a hybrid architecture that combines two powerful models:
- Automated Market Making (AMM): allows users to provide liquidity to token pairs and earn a share of the trading fees.
- Centralized Order Book (via OpenBook): gives Raydium access to global liquidity across the Solana network, enabling better pricing and more efficient execution.
Practical Example
When a user wants to swap SOL for USDC, Raydium automatically evaluates:
- The available liquidity in the SOL/USDC pool on its own platform
- Existing orders on OpenBook
- And selects the most efficient path to ensure the best price with the lowest fee
This smart routing system ensures that transactions are completed within seconds, taking full advantage of Solana’s speed and low fees.
Core Features of Raydium
Raydium gives users powerful tools to engage with DeFi in a fast, flexible, and rewarding way.
From effortless token swaps to high-yield farming and early access to new projects, every feature is designed to help you do more with your assets, without leaving the Solana ecosystem.
1. Swap
Instantly trade tokens using a smart routing system that pulls from both AMM pools and OpenBook liquidity. Users benefit from tight spreads, low fees, and fast execution.
2. Liquidity Pools
Users can provide token pairs to Raydium’s pools and earn a portion of trading fees. LP tokens represent a share of the pool and can be used for additional rewards.
3. Yield Farming
Stake LP tokens in farming pools to earn bonus tokens, often RAY or partner project tokens. It’s a way to boost earnings on top of pool fees.
4. Staking RAY
Hold and stake RAY tokens to earn rewards directly from the platform. Staking also plays a role in governance and gives access to certain token launches.
5. AcceleRaytor
A launchpad that gives users early access to new Solana projects. Users often stake RAY to qualify for allocations in IDOs (Initial DEX Offerings).
6. Fusion Pools
These pools allow liquidity providers to earn rewards from third-party tokens, helping new projects bootstrap liquidity while users enjoy higher returns.
7. DropZone
Raydium’s NFT launchpad offers early-stage NFT collections and drops directly to Solana users, with some launches gated by RAY holdings or staking.
RAY Token: Utility, Rewards, and Governance
RAY is the native token of Raydium and powers nearly every function within the platform. It brings utility to users by enabling participation, rewards, and access across the ecosystem.
- Staking: Stake RAY to earn yield over time, while supporting the protocol’s growth.
- Governance: Use RAY to vote on key decisions that shape the platform’s direction.
- IDO Access: Gain early access to new token launches on AcceleRaytor, Raydium’s launchpad. Holding or staking RAY is often required to qualify for allocations, giving long-term users a chance to back promising projects before they go public.
- Liquidity Incentives: Earn RAY through yield farming and liquidity provision in eligible pools.
RAY creates a direct link between users and the Raydium ecosystem. It turns participation into opportunity.
Whether you’re growing your holdings, helping guide decisions, or accessing early-stage tokens with high upside potential.
Getting Started with Raydium
1. Choose a Compatible Wallet
Raydium works with all major Solana wallets, including:
- Klever Wallet – Solana-compatible and now integrated with Raydium’s liquidity for Solana-based pairs. Users benefit from a significantly larger number of swap pairs, lower fees, and soon, automated onboarding of new tokens—directly within Klever Swap.
- Phantom
- Solflare
- Backpack
2. Fund Your Wallet
Add some SOL to cover network fees. Solana fees are minimal, so even small balances go far.
3. Connect to Raydium or Klever
Use raydium.io via browser or access Raydium-powered liquidity directly inside Klever Wallet via Klever Swap.
4. Start Swapping, Earning, and Exploring
Swap tokens, add liquidity or join upcoming IDOs—all from one interface.
Klever Integration Tip: With Raydium powering liquidity inside Klever Swap, users now access a wider range of Solana-based token pairs, enjoy faster listing of new assets, and benefit from optimized trade execution—all directly within Klever Wallet.
Raydium adds speed, scale, and depth to the Solana DeFi experience. By integrating this powerful engine, Klever gives users a seamless way to swap, earn, and explore new projects, without ever leaving the wallet.
Download Klever Wallet today and experience faster, cheaper, and more secure Solana swaps—backed by Raydium’s advanced liquidity.
Raydium FAQ
What is Raydium?
Raydium is a decentralized exchange and liquidity protocol built on Solana, offering fast token swaps, liquidity pools, staking, and token launches.
How does Raydium differ from other AMMs?
It combines AMM pools with a central limit order book (OpenBook), giving users better pricing and deeper liquidity.
What is the RAY token used for?
Staking, governance, IDO access, and farming rewards.
Can I use Raydium through Klever Wallet?
Yes. Klever Wallet now integrates Raydium’s liquidity for Solana pairs inside Klever Swap. This unlocks more pairs, faster integration, and lower costs.
What is impermanent loss, and how does it affect liquidity providers?
Impermanent loss occurs when token prices shift after you’ve added liquidity. While it can reduce your earnings, farming rewards and fees can offset the impact.
How can I join an IDO on Raydium?
Stake RAY and meet the project’s specific participation criteria. Allocation may be based on staking levels or lottery entry.
Are rewards automatic?
No. Farming and staking rewards need to be manually claimed via the dashboard.
Glossary of Terms
AcceleRaytor
Raydium’s token launch platform (IDOs). Users who hold or stake RAY can participate in early-stage projects and acquire tokens before public listing.
AMM (Automated Market Maker)
A trading model used in decentralized exchanges that enables asset swaps between token pairs without the need for a traditional order book. Liquidity is provided by users.
DropZone
Raydium’s platform dedicated to launching early-stage NFT collections. It offers early access to exclusive mintings on the Solana network.
Farm (Farming)
A strategy used in DeFi platforms to generate rewards by providing liquidity or staking cryptocurrencies. Users “plant” their tokens in pools and “harvest” returns, usually paid in the protocol’s native tokens.
Fusion Pools
Liquidity pools that offer rewards in partner project tokens, in addition to standard fees. They help drive adoption of new tokens and attract liquidity to growing projects.
IDO (Initial DEX Offering)
An initial offering of a new token on a decentralized exchange (DEX), allowing users to buy early-stage assets, usually before public listing.
Impermanent Loss
Impermanent loss is the temporary loss in value when token prices in a liquidity pool change after being deposited.
Liquidity Provider (LP)
A user who supplies token pairs to a liquidity pool and receives LP tokens in return. These tokens represent the user’s share of the pool and can be used to earn additional rewards.
OpenBook
Solana’s decentralized order book and successor to Serum. It allows platforms like Raydium to tap into wider liquidity and offer better order execution.
Slippage
The difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual execution price. It often occurs in markets with low liquidity or high volatility.
Staking
The practice of locking cryptocurrencies on a platform to support the network or earn passive income, usually in the form of token rewards.
Swap
A direct exchange of one token for another without the need for an intermediary, done via DEXs or self-custody wallets like Klever Wallet.
LP Token (Liquidity Provider Token)
A token received when providing liquidity to a pair in an AMM. It represents the user’s share in the pool and can be used in farms to generate even more rewards.
Yield Farming
A strategy used in DeFi platforms to maximize returns. Users deposit tokens—usually LP tokens—into farming pools to earn rewards, which may be paid in native tokens or other assets. It’s a way to generate passive income by participating in the ecosystem’s liquidity, but involves risks like impermanent loss and market fluctuations.
