Pump.fun Launches $PUMP Token ICO With 150 Billion Tokens At $0.004 Each

Pump.fun, a Solana-based meme coin platform, is set to launch its native token, $PUMP, on July 12 through an initial coin offering (ICO). The ICO will offer 15% of the total 1 trillion token supply, equating to 150 billion tokens, priced at $0.004 each. This public sale follows a private round where 18% of the token supply was sold to institutional investors under the same conditions. The public sale will commence at 14:00 UTC on July 12 and will close either when all tokens are sold or at 14:00 UTC on July 15. Residents of the United States and the United Kingdom are not eligible to participate due to regulatory constraints.

To participate in the ICO, users must complete a mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process, which can be done through Pump.fun’s dedicated token site or affiliated partner exchanges, including Bybit, Kraken, Bitget, MEXC, KuCoin, and Gate.io. Tokens purchased will be fully unlocked from launch, with no vesting or lockup periods applied. Token transfers will begin 48–72 hours post-sale, with an airdrop expected shortly after the token launch.

The utility of the $PUMP token is still under development, but potential features include fee rebates, platform buybacks, and incentives for creators. In addition to the public and private sale allocations, 24% of the token supply is set aside for community and ecosystem growth. The team will hold 20%, while early investors will receive 13%. The remaining 3% of the supply is allocated to incentivize streaming content and creators, aligning with Pump.fun’s ambition to develop a crypto-native alternative to platforms like TikTok and Twitch.

The ICO comes at a time when Pump.fun is facing a shifting competitive landscape. While the platform generated significant fees since January 2024, recent months have shown a decline in revenue and market share, with rivals like Let. Fun gaining traction. A recent update introduced one-click trading and a live movers feed, aiming to enhance user experience and attract more participants.

Some community members have expressed concerns about the ICO, citing past comments from co-founder Alon, who previously criticized presales. Additionally, Gate.io’s brief pre-listing of $PUMP, followed by a withdrawal and refund due to unresolved terms, has drawn attention and added to the anticipation surrounding the launch.

The ICO represents a strategic move by Pump.fun to disrupt the memecoin ecosystem on the Solana blockchain. By offering a significant portion of its token supply to the public and leveraging major exchanges for the sale, Pump.fun aims to attract a wide range of investors and build a robust community around its platform. The allocation of tokens for streaming-related activities further underscores the company's innovative approach, positioning itself as a potential disruptor in the social media and content creation space.