Creator Fees on Launchpads: Who Gets Paid When a Coin Trades
On many launchpads a small fee is taken from every trade of a coin, and part of it goes to the creator. That means creators can earn from trading volume, whether the coin does well for holders or not.
Creator fees are part of why many people launch coins. Understanding them helps you read a coin's incentives.
How the split usually works
Each trade pays a small percentage. A share goes to the launchpad, and a share goes to the creator. The exact numbers and rules differ by launchpad and can change, so read the current terms of the launchpad that made the coin. Our launchpad comparison lists the main ones.
What this does to incentives
- Creators earn from volume. A creator who keeps people trading earns more, so some creators promote hard.
- Volume is not the same as price. A creator can earn from trades even if the price goes down.
- Fees can be a reason for fake volume. See wash trading.
Fee choices some launchpads offer
Some launchpads let the creator choose what happens to their share, for example taking it, or using it to buy back and burn the coin. A buyback does not guarantee a price, but it shows what the creator chose to do with the money. Check whether the creator's choice is visible on chain.
What to check as a buyer
- Does the creator hold a lot of the supply? Use the dev wallet tracker.
- Does the creator sell often? Repeated sells while promoting the coin are a warning.
- Is the fee setup clear and public?
- Are there many real holders, or only a few wallets? See the holder map.
If you plan to launch your own coin, read how to launch a memecoin on Elysium to understand costs and fees first.
FAQ
Do creators really earn from every trade?
On many launchpads a share of the trade fee goes to the creator. The share depends on the launchpad's rules.
Does a creator fee mean a coin is a scam?
No. It is a normal feature. What matters is how the creator acts: holdings, sells and honesty.
What is a buyback and burn?
The creator's fee share is used to buy the coin and remove it from supply. It is a choice, not a guarantee of price.
Where can I see the fee rules?
In the launchpad's own documentation. Fee terms can change over time.
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