DeFi

Fair Launch

A token distribution method where there is no pre-mine, private sale, or insider allocation—all participants have equal opportunity to acquire tokens from the start. Fair launches aim to prevent concentrated ownership and VC dumping on retail buyers. On Solana, Pump.fun's bonding curve model approximates a fair launch, though early buyers still have a price advantage.

IDfair-launch

Plain meaning

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A token distribution method where there is no pre-mine, private sale, or insider allocation—all participants have equal opportunity to acquire tokens from the start. Fair launches aim to prevent concentrated ownership and VC dumping on retail buyers. On Solana, Pump.fun's bonding curve model approximates a fair launch, though early buyers still have a price advantage.

Mental model

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Think of it as a market mechanic used to price, route, or move capital through liquidity apps.

Technical context

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AMMs, routing, liquidity, lending, and trading infrastructure.

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Fair Launch (fair-launch)
Category: DeFi
Definition: A token distribution method where there is no pre-mine, private sale, or insider allocation—all participants have equal opportunity to acquire tokens from the start. Fair launches aim to prevent concentrated ownership and VC dumping on retail buyers. On Solana, Pump.fun's bonding curve model approximates a fair launch, though early buyers still have a price advantage.
Related: Launchpad, Bonding Curve, TGE (Token Generation Event)
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Branch

Launchpad

A platform that facilitates new token launches by providing infrastructure for initial token sales, price discovery, and liquidity bootstrapping. On Solana, launchpads include Jupiter LFG (community-voted launches), Raydium AcceleRaytor, and Pump.fun (bonding curve model). Launchpads typically handle token distribution, initial DEX liquidity provision, and anti-bot measures for fair participation.

Branch

Bonding Curve

A mathematical formula that determines a token's price as a function of its supply. As more tokens are purchased, the price rises along the curve; selling decreases supply and lowers the price. Pump.fun popularized bonding curves on Solana for token launches, using them for initial price discovery before a token graduates to a DEX. The curve shape determines how quickly price accelerates with demand.

Branch

TGE (Token Generation Event)

Token Generation Event—the moment when a project's token is first created and distributed on-chain. TGE typically involves deploying the token mint, distributing initial allocations (community, team, investors, treasury), and listing on DEXs. On Solana, TGE often coincides with an airdrop or launchpad sale. Vesting schedules begin at TGE for locked allocations.

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DeFi

Launchpad

A platform that facilitates new token launches by providing infrastructure for initial token sales, price discovery, and liquidity bootstrapping. On Solana, launchpads include Jupiter LFG (community-voted launches), Raydium AcceleRaytor, and Pump.fun (bonding curve model). Launchpads typically handle token distribution, initial DEX liquidity provision, and anti-bot measures for fair participation.

DeFi

Bonding Curve

A mathematical formula that determines a token's price as a function of its supply. As more tokens are purchased, the price rises along the curve; selling decreases supply and lowers the price. Pump.fun popularized bonding curves on Solana for token launches, using them for initial price discovery before a token graduates to a DEX. The curve shape determines how quickly price accelerates with demand.

DeFi

TGE (Token Generation Event)

Token Generation Event—the moment when a project's token is first created and distributed on-chain. TGE typically involves deploying the token mint, distributing initial allocations (community, team, investors, treasury), and listing on DEXs. On Solana, TGE often coincides with an airdrop or launchpad sale. Vesting schedules begin at TGE for locked allocations.

DeFi

FDV (Fully Diluted Valuation)

Fully Diluted Valuation—the theoretical market capitalization if all tokens (including locked, vesting, and unminted) were in circulation, calculated as current token price multiplied by maximum supply. FDV provides a forward-looking valuation metric. A large gap between market cap and FDV indicates significant future token emissions that could create sell pressure as locked tokens unlock.

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DeFiflash-loan

Flash Loan

An uncollateralized loan that must be borrowed and repaid within the same transaction. If the loan isn't repaid by transaction end, the entire transaction reverts atomically. Flash loans enable arbitrage, collateral swaps, and self-liquidation with zero capital. On Solana, Solend and MarginFi offer flash loans; they're also used in sandwich attacks.

Related terms

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DeFilaunchpad

Launchpad

A platform that facilitates new token launches by providing infrastructure for initial token sales, price discovery, and liquidity bootstrapping. On Solana, launchpads include Jupiter LFG (community-voted launches), Raydium AcceleRaytor, and Pump.fun (bonding curve model). Launchpads typically handle token distribution, initial DEX liquidity provision, and anti-bot measures for fair participation.

DeFibonding-curve

Bonding Curve

A mathematical formula that determines a token's price as a function of its supply. As more tokens are purchased, the price rises along the curve; selling decreases supply and lowers the price. Pump.fun popularized bonding curves on Solana for token launches, using them for initial price discovery before a token graduates to a DEX. The curve shape determines how quickly price accelerates with demand.

DeFitge

TGE (Token Generation Event)

Token Generation Event—the moment when a project's token is first created and distributed on-chain. TGE typically involves deploying the token mint, distributing initial allocations (community, team, investors, treasury), and listing on DEXs. On Solana, TGE often coincides with an airdrop or launchpad sale. Vesting schedules begin at TGE for locked allocations.

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DeFi

AMM (Automated Market Maker)

A protocol that enables token swaps using algorithmic pricing against pooled liquidity instead of matching individual buyers and sellers. AMMs use mathematical formulas (typically constant product x*y=k) to determine prices based on the ratio of tokens in a liquidity pool. On Solana, major AMMs include Raydium, Orca, and Meteora.

DeFi

CLMM (Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker)

An AMM design where liquidity providers concentrate their capital within specific price ranges instead of across the full 0-to-infinity range. CLMMs dramatically improve capital efficiency—LPs earn more fees per dollar deposited within their active range. If the price moves outside the range, the position becomes inactive. Orca Whirlpools and Raydium CLMM are leading implementations on Solana.

DeFi

Liquidity Pool

A smart-contract-held reserve of two or more tokens that enables trading via an AMM. Users deposit token pairs in specified ratios to become liquidity providers and earn trading fees. Pools are identified by their token pair and fee tier. Pool depth (total value locked) determines price impact for trades.

DeFi

LP Token

A token issued to liquidity providers representing their proportional share of a pool's reserves and accrued fees. LP tokens can be burned to withdraw the underlying assets. The value of LP tokens changes as the pool's token ratios shift and fees accumulate. LP tokens are often stakeable in yield farming programs for additional rewards.