Pump.fun guide

Pump.fun, from launch to migration.

Pump.fun is a Solana platform where anyone can create a memecoin in a few clicks. Every coin starts on a « bonding curve »: its price rises with each buy and falls with each sell. When the curve fills up, the coin migrates to PumpSwap, where it trades like on any decentralized exchange.

Updated October 5, 2026

1. Creation

A creator (the « dev ») picks a name, a ticker, an image, and launches the coin. No liquidity needed: the bonding curve plays that role. The dev can buy their own tokens right at creation: that's the dev buy, a number traders watch closely.

Each coin is minted with 1 billion tokens. Thousands of coins are created every day; the vast majority never take off.

2. The bonding curve

While a coin is on its curve, you don't buy from another trader, you buy from the curve contract. The price follows a formula: the more has been bought, the pricier the token. The first buyers pay the lowest price, hence the race for the first blocks.

Key point: on the curve, nobody can « pull liquidity ». The SOL sits in the contract. Losses come from elsewhere: when the dev or linked wallets dump all at once (see rug pulls).

3. Migration to PumpSwap

When the curve is complete (around 85 SOL collected, depending on current parameters), the coin « migrates »: liquidity moves into a pool on PumpSwap, pump.fun's exchange. From then on the coin trades freely, priced by the pool.

Migration is a closely watched moment: some traders buy just before, others just after. Volume and volatility often peak there.

Fees to know

Pump.fun fees on every buy and sell, on the curve and on PumpSwap: check the current rate on their site, it has changed several times.
Creator share: part of the fees goes to the coin's dev.
Solana network fees: the priority and tip you add to go faster (see tip and priority).
Your tool's fee: a bot or terminal usually takes 1% per trade.

How to buy on pump.fun

By handConnect a Solana wallet (Phantom, Solflare…) on pump.fun, pick a coin, buy. Simple, but slow against bots.
With a terminalGMGN, Axiom, Photon: one-click buys, with tools to spot coins.
With a botA bot like Scope buys for you: when a wallet you follow buys (copy trading), or when a new coin passes your filters (sniper).

The risks, plainly

Most pump.fun coins lose almost all their value within minutes or hours. Gains are possible but rare, and mostly go to those who are fast, disciplined about exits, and only stake what they can afford to lose.

FAQ

Is pump.fun a scam?

No, it's a platform that works as designed. But many coins created on it are launched to be dumped quickly by their creator. The risk is in the coins, not the platform.

How much does creating a coin cost?

Next to nothing in platform fees: that's why there are so many launches. Check the current amount on pump.fun.

How do you make money on pump.fun?

There's no recipe. Those who do well have a method: get in early, with small amounts, and exits decided in advance. Read how to trade memecoins.

What if a coin never migrates?

It stays on its curve. You can still sell it back to the curve contract at the current price.