Solana News Today: Pump.fun's New Model Aims to Cool the Hype, Fuel Real Growth in Meme Coins

Pump.fun’s PumpSwap has emerged as a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Solana blockchain, surpassing 1.3 million active addresses in a single month and becoming the most widely used launchpad on the network. The platform’s recent announcement of Project Ascend aims to redefine incentives for creators in the Solana meme coin ecosystem by introducing a tiered fee structure called Dynamic Fees V1. Under this model, larger projects pay lower fees, encouraging sustained growth rather than speculative short-term activity. The initiative is designed to make token creation more lucrative and to foster healthier outcomes for users by aligning rewards with market cap expansion [1].

The introduction of Project Ascend has already sparked investor interest, with the PUMP token rising 14% following the announcement. This increase follows a $10.6 million buyback of PUMP tokens, which has brought the total amount retired to nearly $59 million, or 4.3% of the total supply [1]. These actions suggest a concerted effort to stabilize the token’s value while enhancing its utility for creators and traders. Analysts monitoring Solana’s meme economy have noted that such a strategy could solidify Pump.fun’s position as the go-to platform for creators, especially if adoption accelerates under the new fee structure [1].

Pump.fun’s influence on the Solana blockchain has been significant, particularly during the recent meme coin mania that saw tokens like PNUT and WIF surge in popularity. However, the ecosystem faced challenges as half of its participants lost money in the past month, with collective losses exceeding $66 million [1]. The launch of Project Ascend marks a shift in strategy for Pump.fun, moving away from speculative trading and toward sustainable project building. By aligning incentives with long-term growth, the platform is betting that creators will remain engaged as their projects scale, leading to a more stable and profitable environment for users.

Despite Pump.fun’s success, the broader Solana DEX market has experienced a notable downturn. The number of active traders on Solana DEXs has declined sharply, from over 8 million in October 2024 to below 1 million by early September 2025 [3]. This contraction is attributed to the fading interest in meme coin activity and the volatility of tokens such as TRUMP, which saw prices surge to $75 before plummeting to $6. The decline in trading activity has also been mirrored in the broader Solana ecosystem, with metrics indicating a potential shift away from speculative trading toward more traditional forms of DeFi and blockchain innovation [3].

The introduction of Project Ascend is seen as a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to reinvigorate the Solana meme economy while reducing the risks associated with high volatility and speculative trading. The tiered fee model encourages projects to stay engaged with their communities as they grow, creating a more stable and predictable environment for creators and investors alike. This shift in focus is expected to attract a broader range of participants, including those who may have been deterred by the previous risks and uncertainties of the meme coin market [1].

Pump.fun’s efforts to redefine the creator economy on Solana are supported by a growing list of high-profile meme coins, including Wall Street Pepe (WEPE), Snorter Bot (SNORT), and Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), all of which have gained traction on the platform [4]. These projects exemplify the potential of the Solana ecosystem to support innovative and community-driven initiatives, leveraging the platform’s low fees and fast transaction speeds. The success of these coins underscores the importance of a strong community and viral branding in the meme coin space, with many projects achieving significant price growth in a short period.

The ongoing evolution of the Solana meme economy highlights the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market, where trends and technologies can shift rapidly. Pump.fun’s Project Ascend represents a pivotal moment in this evolution, offering a new framework for creators and investors to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the meme coin space. By prioritizing sustainability and long-term growth, the platform is positioning itself as a key player in the future of decentralized finance and digital asset creation [1].

Source:

[1] PUMP Price Jumps as Pump.fun Unveils Plan to Attract Millions More Users (https://www.mexc.fm/en-TR/news/pump-price-jumps-as-pump-fun-unveils-plan-to-attract-millions-more-users/83041)

[2] Pump.fun Price Prediction: Will PUMP Coin Reach $1? (https://stealthex.io/blog/pump-fun-price-prediction-will-pump-coin-reach-1/)

[3] Solana Crypto DEX Traders Drop 90%: Why Is SOL Ready to ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/solana-crypto-dex-traders-drop-144510932.html)

[4] Best Solana Meme Coins to Invest In – The Top 12 (https://cryptonews.com/cryptocurrency/best-solana-meme-coins/)