Introduction
You're planning an airdrop. You need a list of everyone holding your token—wallet addresses, balances, percentages of supply.
But how do you get that data off the blockchain and into a usable format?
The answer: Token Snapshots.
In this guide, I'll explain exactly what a token snapshot is, how it works on Solana, what data it captures, and why projects use snapshots for airdrops, governance, and community rewards.
What is a Token Snapshot?
A token snapshot is a point-in-time capture of all wallet addresses holding a specific token, along with their balances.
On Solana, a snapshot scans every token account associated with an SPL or SPL22 mint address and extracts the current holdings. The result is a downloadable list—typically CSV or JSON—containing every holder's wallet address and token balance.
Simple explanation:
- You provide the token's mint address
- The tool queries the Solana blockchain
- It finds every wallet holding that token
- You download the complete holder list with balances
Unlike blockchain explorers (which show limited holder counts), a snapshot gives you the raw data—every single holder, exportable and actionable.
How Does a Token Snapshot Work? (Technical Breakdown)
Let's look at what happens when you take a snapshot of a Solana token:
Step 1: Mint Address Input
You provide the SPL or SPL22 token mint address. This is the unique identifier for the token on Solana's blockchain.
Step 2: Token Account Discovery
The snapshot tool queries Solana's Token Program to find all token accounts associated with that mint. Each token account represents one wallet's holdings of that specific token.
Step 3: Owner Extraction
For each token account, the tool identifies the owner—the wallet address that controls those tokens. This is the address you'll use for airdrops or analysis.
Step 4: Balance Reading
The tool reads the current token balance from each account. Balances are stored as raw integers on-chain, then converted to human-readable amounts using the token's decimal precision.
Step 5: Data Aggregation
All holder data is compiled into a structured format:
| Data Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet Address | Owner of the token account | 7xKX...4mPq |
| Balance (Raw) | On-chain integer amount | 1000000000 |
| Balance (UI) | Human-readable with decimals | 1,000.00 |
| Percentage | Share of total supply | 0.15% |
Step 6: Export
The complete holder list is exported to CSV (for spreadsheets and airdrop tools) or JSON (for developers and custom scripts).
What Data Does a Token Snapshot Include?
A comprehensive token snapshot captures:
Core Fields:
- Wallet address — The holder's Solana public key
- Token balance — Current holdings at snapshot time
- Percentage of supply — Holder's share of circulating supply
Extended Fields (tool-dependent):
- Token account address (the associated token account)
- Holder rank by balance
- First transaction date (for loyalty analysis)
- Account status (active/frozen)
Why Do Projects Take Token Snapshots?
1. Airdrop Distribution
The most common use case. Projects snapshot their token holders to:
- Reward existing community members
- Distribute new tokens proportionally to holdings
- Target specific holder tiers (whales, mid-holders, small holders)
Example: A project launching a governance token airdrops to everyone holding 1,000+ of their original token.
2. DAO Governance
Snapshots enable fair voting by capturing who held tokens at a specific moment:
- Prevents vote manipulation via last-minute purchases
- Weights votes by token balance at snapshot time
- Provides verifiable on-chain proof of eligibility
3. Community Rewards
Identify and reward loyal holders:
- Diamond hands recognition (long-term holders)
- Exclusive access to presales or NFT mints
- Tiered rewards based on holding amount
4. Whale Monitoring
Track large holder movements:
- Identify top 10/50/100 holders
- Monitor supply concentration
- Detect potential sell pressure
5. Analytics & Research
Analyze token distribution:
- Holder growth over time (comparing snapshots)
- Gini coefficient (supply concentration)
- Active vs inactive holder ratios
Token Snapshot vs Blockchain Explorer
Why not just use Solscan or Birdeye?
| Feature | Blockchain Explorer | Token Snapshot Tool |
|---|---|---|
| View holder count | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| See top holders | ✅ Limited (top 20-100) | ✅ All holders |
| Export to CSV | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Get wallet addresses | ❌ No bulk export | ✅ Full list |
| Airdrop-ready format | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Filter by balance | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Explorers are great for quick lookups. Snapshots are essential for taking action on that data.
SPL vs SPL22: What's the Difference for Snapshots?
Solana has two token standards:
SPL (Token Program)
- Original Solana token standard
- Used by most tokens (USDC, BONK, etc.)
- Straightforward snapshot process
SPL22 (Token Extensions / Token-2022)
- Newer standard with advanced features
- Supports transfer fees, metadata, confidential transfers
- Requires updated snapshot tools that understand the new program
Good snapshot tools support both standards—so you don't need to worry which one your token uses.
How to Use a Token Snapshot for Airdrops
Here's a typical workflow using Jumpbit's Token Snapshot and Multisender:
Step 1: Take the Snapshot
- Enter your token's mint address
- Generate the snapshot
- Download the CSV file
Step 2: Filter Holders (Optional)
Open the CSV in Excel or Google Sheets:
- Remove wallets below minimum balance
- Exclude known exchange wallets
- Sort by balance for tiered rewards
Step 3: Calculate Airdrop Amounts
Add a column for airdrop allocation:
- Equal distribution: Same amount to everyone
- Proportional: Based on % of supply held
- Tiered: Different amounts for different tiers
Step 4: Import to Multisender
Upload your modified CSV to a bulk distribution tool and execute the airdrop in batches.
What Are the Limitations of Token Snapshots?
Point-in-Time Only
A snapshot captures one moment. Holdings change constantly—the data is accurate only at snapshot time.
No Historical Data (Usually)
Most tools snapshot the current block only. Historical snapshots at past block heights require archival RPC nodes.
Includes All Holders
Snapshots include exchange wallets, bots, and program accounts. You may need to filter these out manually.
Large Tokens Take Longer
Tokens with 1M+ holders require more processing time. Most tools handle this, but expect 30-60 seconds for massive tokens.
Key Takeaways
Token snapshots are essential infrastructure for any Solana project planning:
- Airdrop campaigns
- DAO governance votes
- Community reward programs
- Holder analytics
The process is straightforward: provide a mint address, let the tool scan the blockchain, and download your complete holder list.
Ready to snapshot your token holders?
Try Jumpbit Token Snapshot—no API keys, no coding, just paste your mint address and export.
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