Meteora is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol built on the Solana blockchain, designed to create an efficient, sustainable, and flexible liquidity layer for the Solana ecosystem. By addressing liquidity fragmentation and inefficiencies, Meteora enables smoother trades with lower slippage and cost while optimizing returns for liquidity providers (LPs). Central to its innovation is the Dynamic Liquidity Market Maker (DLMM), which allows granular control over how and where liquidity is deployed.
Understanding liquidity distribution, particularly in single-sided positions, can offer valuable insights into market behavior—especially when tracking developer or large-holder ("whale") activity. This guide walks you through how to identify and calculate price ranges for Meteora liquidity positions, empowering you to anticipate potential price movements such as developer selling ("dumping") or accumulation ("accum").
Core Concepts You Need to Know
Before diving into methods of checking price ranges, it's essential to understand key components of Meteora’s DLMM architecture.
What Is a Trading Pair?
A trading pair consists of two tokens that can be swapped against each other, such as TRUMP/SOL or TRUMP/USDC. Each pair forms the basis for liquidity pools.
Understanding Pools (LP Pools)
Each trading pair can have multiple pools, differentiated by Bin Step and Fee Tier. For example, the TRUMP/USDC pair may host dozens of pools, each with unique parameters and addresses. These pools determine how prices are segmented and how fees are collected.
👉 Discover how advanced liquidity models boost DeFi returns
What Is a Bin?
In Meteora’s DLMM model, a bin represents a discrete price level. Each bin functions like a limit order—either a buy or sell—at a specific price. Liquidity is distributed across bins rather than spread continuously.
Bin Step Explained
The bin step defines the percentage gap between adjacent bins, measured in basis points (1 bp = 0.01%). A smaller bin step means tighter spacing and finer-grained liquidity placement.
For example:
- Current SOL/USDC price: $20
- Bin step: 25 bps (0.25%)
- Next bin price: $20 × (1 + 0.0025) = $20.05
- Following bin: $20.05 × 1.0025 ≈ $20.10
This logarithmic progression ensures consistent relative spacing across price levels.
What Is a Position?
A position refers to a liquidity provider’s allocation within a pool. It includes:
- Price Range: Defined by a lower and upper bin ID, indicating where liquidity is active.
- Token Amounts: The quantity of each token deposited.
Distribution Strategy:
- Spot (Uniform): Equal allocation across bins—ideal for stable markets.
- Curve (Bell-shaped): Concentrated around current price—best for mean-reverting assets.
- Bid-Ask (Bimodal): Liquidity focused on both sides of the current price—suited for volatile assets.
- Bin Step: Inherited from the pool; cannot be changed when creating a position.
Method 1: View Price Ranges via Wallet Connection
The simplest way to inspect active liquidity positions is through wallet integration.
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify the Developer Address
Use tools like Debot or Solscan to find the wallet address of the token creator (e.g.,5e2qRc1DNEXmyxP8qwPwJhRWjef7usLyi7v5xjqLr5G7for $TRUMP). - Monitor the Wallet in Phantom
Open Phantom Wallet → “Connect Wallet” → “Watch Wallet” → Enter the dev’s public key and assign a label (e.g., “TRUMP Dev”). - Connect to Meteora App
Visit Meteora.ag, connect your Phantom wallet, and navigate to Portfolio. You’ll see all tracked positions under DLMM pools. Analyze Active Positions
Click any pool to view:- Bin Step & Fee Tier
- Active price ranges (via bin IDs)
- Token balances per position
- Unclaimed fees
- Distribution strategy
✅ Advantage: Visual and intuitive—no calculations needed.
❌ Limitation: Only shows currently active positions; historical data is inaccessible once liquidity is withdrawn.
Method 2: Calculate Price Ranges Using On-Chain Data
For deeper analysis—including past positions—you can derive exact price ranges directly from blockchain data using Meteora’s mathematical model.
The Price Range Formula
Given:
bin_step: Pool-specific step in basis pointslower_bin_id,upper_bin_id: Boundaries of the positiondecimals_A,decimals_B: Token decimal precision
The formulas are:
min_price = (1 + bin_step / 10000) ^ lower_bin_id / 10^(decimals_B - decimals_A)
max_price = (1 + bin_step / 10000) ^ upper_bin_id / 10^(decimals_B - decimals_A)Note: Prices are quoted in Token A per Token B (e.g., TRUMP per USDC). To convert to USD, multiply by the quote token’s USD value.
Practical Example: Analyzing a $TRUMP Single-Sided Position
Let’s calculate the price range for a real $TRUMP/USDC single-token deposit.
Step 1: Gather Data from Solscan
Go to the dev’s Solscan page → Defi Activities → Filter by “ADD LIQUIDITY”. Find a single-sided deposit (only TRUMP added).
From the transaction details:
- Pool Address:
9d9mb8kooFfaD3SctgZtkxQypkshx6ezhbKio89ixyy2 lowerBinId: 1062- Bin Width: 46 →
upperBinId = 1062 + 46 - 1 = 1107
Check token decimals:
- $TRUMP: 6 decimals
- $USDC: 6 decimals → exponent difference = 0
View pool data on Solscan → Data tab → LbPair table:
binStep: 50 bps
Step 2: Plug Into Formula
min_price = (1 + 50/10000)^1062 / 10^0 = (1.005)^1062 ≈ 199.69
max_price = (1.005)^1107 ≈ 249.94➡️ Price Range: $199.69 – $249.94 (TRUMP/USDC)
This matches exactly with the range visible in the Meteora UI—validating our method.
Why This Matters: Spotting Developer Moves
When developers use single-sided liquidity deposits, they’re often strategically positioning themselves:
- 📈 At higher prices: Deposit only the project token (e.g., $TRUMP) to automatically sell (“offload”) as price rises into their range.
- 📉 At lower prices: Deposit only the stablecoin (e.g., $USDC) to automatically buy (“accumulate”) if price drops.
By calculating these ranges, traders can:
- Anticipate resistance/support zones
- Align entries/exits with whale behavior
- Backtest past market moves (e.g., analyze $LIBRA during President Milei’s announcements)
👉 See how top traders use on-chain signals to time entries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I see expired or removed liquidity positions?
Yes—via on-chain analysis using Solscan and the bin math formula. Wallet-connected views only show active positions.
Q2: What does “single-sided liquidity” mean?
It means depositing only one token in a pair. The system auto-swaps it within the set price range, enabling automated selling or buying without manual intervention.
Q3: How do I know if a dev is accumulating or dumping?
Check where the single-sided deposit is placed:
- Above current price → likely preparing to sell (distribute).
- Below current price → likely setting up accumulation.
Q4: Are there tools that automate this analysis?
Currently, no tool fully automates detection of all dev actions (transfers + LP changes + price ranges). Platforms like Debot and GMGN offer partial insights but lack complete integration.
Q5: Does bin step affect impermanent loss?
Yes. Smaller bin steps allow tighter concentration, increasing capital efficiency but also exposure to volatility and potential rebalancing costs.
Q6: Can I replicate dev strategies for yield optimization?
Absolutely. By placing narrow-range positions near expected price zones, you can earn higher fees with less capital—similar to concentrated liquidity in Uniswap V3.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Meteora’s liquidity mechanics unlocks powerful analytical capabilities. Whether you're monitoring real-time positions via wallet tracking or reverse-engineering historical moves through on-chain data, understanding price range calculation gives you an edge in Solana DeFi trading.
As tools evolve, we expect more platforms to integrate automated whale tracking, profit analytics, and visual LP mapping—making this process even more accessible.
Until then, combining manual analysis with strategic observation remains one of the most effective ways to stay ahead in fast-moving crypto markets.
👉 Start exploring DeFi opportunities with a secure, high-performance exchange