Lighter DEX Launches LIT Token with 25% Airdrop to Blend Traditional Markets with DeFi
Lighter DEX, an Ethereum-based Layer 2 perpetuals-focused decentralized exchange, has launched the LIT token to integrate traditional markets with decentralized finance (DeFi).
The LIT token supply is evenly split between the ecosystem and the team/investors. Specifically, the team holds 26% and investors hold 24%, with these shares subject to a one-year lockup followed by three years of linear vesting.
A notable feature of the launch includes an immediate airdrop that converts 12.5 million points earned during 2025 into LIT tokens. This airdrop represents 25% of the project's fully diluted value and is allocated to early participants.
LIT tokens serve several functions within the platform including trading execution, data verification, and staking. Access to higher service levels requires staking larger amounts of LIT, and fees for accessing market data are paid using LIT.
The token is issued directly by Lighter's US-registered C-Corp. Revenue generated from the platform and future products will be transparently trackable on the blockchain. These funds may be used for ecosystem growth or to buy back LIT tokens, although no fixed schedule for these actions has been established.
Lighter's perpetuals trading volume averaged approximately $2.7 billion over the last seven days, placing it behind competitors like Hyperliquid and Aster. For comparison, Hyperliquid's HYPE token has a market capitalization of about $6.26 billion.
Remaining tokens from the distribution are allocated to support future rewards, partnerships, and expansion of the ecosystem.
