If you have been trading Solana tokens, you may have noticed some tokens use a different program than others. While most Solana tokens use the original SPL Token program, a growing number are built on Token-2022 (also called Token Extensions). Here is what you need to know.
Blockchain tokens and new token standards
The Original SPL Token Program
The original SPL Token program has been the standard for creating tokens on Solana since the blockchain launched. It provides basic functionality: creating tokens, transferring them between wallets, and managing supply through mint authority.
Every token you interact with on Pump.fun, Raydium, and most other Solana platforms uses this original program.
Enter Token-2022
Token-2022 is Solana new and improved token program that adds powerful features called extensions. Think of it as SPL Token 2.0 with additional capabilities built directly into the protocol.
Key Extensions
Transfer fees: Token creators can set automatic fees on every transfer. This is commonly used for reflection tokens where a percentage of each transaction is redistributed to holders.
Interest-bearing tokens: Tokens that automatically accrue interest over time without requiring staking.
Non-transferable tokens: Soulbound tokens that cannot be transferred once received, useful for credentials and achievements.
Confidential transfers: Encrypted transfer amounts for privacy while maintaining on-chain verification.
Transfer hooks: Custom logic that executes on every transfer, enabling complex tokenomics.
Metadata extensions: On-chain metadata without requiring separate Metaplex accounts.
What This Means for Traders
As a trader, Token-2022 tokens require some extra awareness:
Solana blockchain technology and innovation
Transfer Fees
Some Token-2022 tokens have built-in transfer fees. When you buy or sell these tokens, a percentage is automatically deducted. This is different from DEX trading fees and is enforced at the token level. Always check if a token has transfer fees before trading.
Compatibility
Not all wallets and DEXs fully support all Token-2022 extensions yet. While major platforms like Jupiter and Raydium support basic Token-2022 tokens, some advanced extensions may cause issues with certain tools.
Safety Considerations
Token-2022 extensions add complexity, which can both improve and complicate safety analysis. TokenRadar handles both SPL Token and Token-2022 tokens, checking mint authority and freeze authority across both program types.
How TokenRadar Handles Token-2022
TokenRadar automatically detects whether a new token uses the original SPL Token program or Token-2022. The safety analysis adapts accordingly, checking the correct program for authority status. This means you get accurate safety information regardless of which token standard is being used.
When you see a token on TokenRadar, the safety badges (mint authority, freeze authority) are always checked against the correct program, so you can trust the information displayed.
The Future of Solana Tokens
Token-2022 adoption is growing as developers discover the power of built-in extensions. Expect to see more tokens using transfer fees, hooks, and other extensions in the coming months.
Stay ahead of the curve by monitoring all new launches — both SPL Token and Token-2022 — on TokenRadar.
The Solana ecosystem has become the go-to blockchain for launching new tokens, and three platforms dominate the landscape: Pump.fun, Raydium, and Moonshot. Each platform takes a different approach to token creation and trading.
Crypto exchange platforms comparison
TokenRadar tracks all three platforms in real time. In this article, we compare these platforms so you can understand where your next trade is coming from.
Pump.fun: The Meme Token Factory
Pump.fun has become the most popular platform for launching meme tokens on Solana. Its streamlined process allows anyone to create a token in seconds.
How It Works
Pump.fun uses a bonding curve mechanism. When a token is created, buyers purchase tokens along a mathematical curve where the price increases as more tokens are bought. Once the bonding curve reaches approximately $69,000 market cap, the token automatically migrates to Raydium.
Pros
Extremely easy to launch: No coding required
Built-in bonding curve: Initial price discovery without a liquidity pool
Automatic Raydium migration: Successful tokens graduate to a real DEX
High volume: Hundreds of tokens launch daily
Cons
High scam rate: Most tokens are low-effort cash grabs
Pre-migration risk: Limited liquidity on the bonding curve
No vetting: Anyone can launch anything, including impersonation tokens
Raydium: The Established DEX
Raydium is Solana leading decentralized exchange and AMM. It serves as the destination for tokens graduating from Pump.fun.
How It Works
Token creators provide initial liquidity by pairing their token with SOL in a pool. Traders swap against this pool with prices determined by the constant product formula.
Pros
Deep liquidity: Best liquidity for established tokens
Ecosystem integration: Connected to Jupiter and other Solana DeFi tools
LP token control: Creators can burn or lock LP tokens, which TokenRadar tracks
Cons
Higher barrier: Requires technical knowledge and upfront capital
Rug pull risk: If LP tokens are not burned, creators can pull liquidity
Moonshot: The Curated Alternative
Moonshot positions itself as a more curated launch platform with its own bonding curve mechanism.
Decentralized exchange trading interface
Pros
User-friendly: Clean, intuitive design
Mobile-first: Strong mobile experience
Fiat onramp: Credit card purchases available
Cons
Smaller volume: Less trading activity compared to alternatives
Newer platform: Less track record
How TokenRadar Helps
Regardless of which platform a token launches on, TokenRadar detects it in real time and provides safety information. You can filter tokens by their launch platform, see safety scores, token age, and market data all in one place.
Open TokenRadar to see every new launch across all platforms in one unified feed.
If you have spent any time in crypto, you have probably heard the term memecoin. Memecoins are cryptocurrencies that originate from internet memes, jokes, or cultural trends rather than from a specific technological innovation or utility. Think Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and more recently, the explosion of meme-inspired tokens on the Solana blockchain like BONK and WIF.
Cryptocurrency trading on laptop screen
Unlike traditional crypto projects that aim to solve technical problems — faster payments, decentralized storage, smart contract platforms — memecoins derive their value primarily from community enthusiasm, viral momentum, and speculative trading. They can be wildly volatile, with prices surging 1,000% in a day and crashing just as fast.
That volatility is exactly what attracts traders. For those willing to accept the risk, memecoins offer some of the highest potential returns in all of crypto — along with some of the highest potential losses. This guide will help you understand the landscape and trade more intelligently.
Why Solana for Memecoins?
While memecoins exist on many blockchains, Solana has become the dominant chain for memecoin trading in 2024 and 2025. There are several reasons why:
Speed
Solana processes transactions in roughly 400 milliseconds with a theoretical throughput of 65,000 transactions per second. When you are trading a volatile memecoin and every second counts, Solana’s speed is a massive advantage over slower chains like Ethereum, where transactions can take 15 seconds or more to confirm.
Low Fees
A typical transaction on Solana costs a fraction of a cent — usually less than $0.01. Compare that to Ethereum, where gas fees during peak times can reach $10, $50, or even more. Low fees mean you can make frequent trades, enter and exit positions quickly, and experiment with small amounts without fees eating into your capital.
Thriving Ecosystem
Solana has developed a vibrant ecosystem of DEXes, launchpads, wallets, and tools specifically tailored to memecoin trading. The community is active, the developer tooling is strong, and new tokens launch constantly — creating a continuous flow of trading opportunities.
Popular DEXes and Launchpads on Solana
Before you start trading, you need to know where the action happens. Here are the key platforms in the Solana memecoin ecosystem:
Stock market and trading display
Pump.fun
Pump.fun is the most popular memecoin launchpad on Solana. It allows anyone to create a token in seconds with a bonding curve mechanism — meaning the price automatically increases as more people buy. Pump.fun tokens start with zero liquidity requirements and automatically migrate to Raydium once they reach a certain market cap threshold. The vast majority of new Solana memecoins start their life on Pump.fun.
Raydium
Raydium is Solana’s leading automated market maker (AMM) and decentralized exchange. It provides deep liquidity pools and is where Pump.fun tokens migrate to once they “graduate” from the bonding curve. Raydium is also where many tokens launch directly, and it supports trading of thousands of Solana-based tokens.
Jupiter
Jupiter is Solana’s premier DEX aggregator. Rather than being a single exchange, Jupiter routes your trade through multiple DEXes to find you the best price. If you are buying or selling a memecoin, Jupiter will automatically find the optimal route — whether that is through Raydium, Orca, or another liquidity source. It is widely regarded as the best way to execute swaps on Solana.
Moonshot
Moonshot is a newer launchpad gaining traction as an alternative to Pump.fun. It offers a similar fair-launch model with some different mechanics, giving traders another venue to discover early-stage tokens.
Setting Up Your Solana Wallet
To trade memecoins on Solana, you need a Solana-compatible wallet. Here are the two most popular options:
Phantom
Phantom is the most widely used Solana wallet. It is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge, as well as a mobile app for iOS and Android. Phantom offers a clean interface, built-in token swaps, NFT support, and seamless connectivity to virtually every Solana dApp.
How to set up Phantom:
Visit phantom.app and download the browser extension or mobile app.
Click “Create a new wallet” and set a password.
Write down your seed phrase (12 words) and store it somewhere safe and offline. This is your only backup — if you lose it, you lose access to your funds permanently.
Fund your wallet by sending SOL from a centralized exchange like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken to your Phantom wallet address.
Solflare
Solflare is another excellent Solana wallet with a strong reputation. It offers similar features to Phantom — browser extension, mobile apps, built-in swaps, and full dApp connectivity. Solflare also has a strong focus on staking and DeFi integration. Some traders prefer Solflare for its detailed transaction history and portfolio tracking features.
How to set up Solflare:
Visit solflare.com and download the extension or app.
Create a new wallet and securely store your recovery phrase.
Send SOL to your new wallet address to start trading.
Pro tip: Always keep some SOL in your wallet for transaction fees. While Solana fees are tiny, you still need a small SOL balance (0.01-0.05 SOL) to execute transactions.
DYOR: Do Your Own Research
The single most important principle in memecoin trading is DYOR — Do Your Own Research. Memecoins are inherently speculative, and many are outright scams. Before buying any token, take the time to evaluate it:
Check the Token’s On-Chain Data
Mint authority — Has it been revoked? If not, the creator can mint unlimited new tokens.
Freeze authority — Has it been revoked? If not, the creator can freeze your tokens.
Top holders — Is the supply distributed, or does one wallet hold 50% of the tokens?
Liquidity — How much liquidity is in the pool, and is it locked or burnable?
Evaluate the Community
Does the token have an active community on Twitter/X or Telegram?
Is the community organic, or does it look like a bot farm?
Are the creators doxxed or anonymous?
Use Analysis Tools
Manually checking all of these factors for every token is impractical when hundreds launch daily. That is where tools like TokenRadar come in. TokenRadar provides automated safety scoring that checks mint authority, freeze authority, holder distribution, liquidity status, and token metadata — all in real time, the moment a token launches. It is one of the fastest ways to separate potentially legitimate tokens from obvious scams.
Risk Management: Protecting Your Capital
Even with thorough research, memecoin trading is inherently risky. Here are essential risk management practices every beginner should follow:
Only Invest What You Can Afford to Lose
This is not a cliche — it is a survival rule. The majority of memecoins will go to zero. Assume that any money you put into a memecoin could disappear entirely, and size your positions accordingly.
Use Small Position Sizes
When starting out, keep your individual trades small. A good rule of thumb is to never put more than 1-5% of your total trading capital into a single memecoin. This way, even if a token goes to zero, your overall portfolio survives.
Take Profits Along the Way
One of the biggest mistakes new traders make is holding on too long. If a token doubles or triples in value, consider selling a portion to lock in profits. A common strategy is to sell your initial investment once you are up 2x, then let the remaining “house money” ride.
Set Mental Stop-Losses
Before entering a trade, decide the maximum amount you are willing to lose. If the token drops to that level, sell and move on. Emotional decision-making — hoping a crashing token will recover — is how most traders lose the most money.
Diversify Across Multiple Tokens
Do not put all your capital into one memecoin. Spread your trades across several tokens. In memecoin trading, you might have 8 losing trades and 2 massive winners — but those 2 winners can more than make up for the losses if your position sizing is disciplined.
Getting Started: Your First Memecoin Trade
Here is a step-by-step workflow for your first memecoin trade on Solana:
Set up your wallet — Install Phantom or Solflare and fund it with SOL.
Open TokenRadar — Visit tokenradar.site/tokens to see newly launched tokens in real time.
Review safety scores — Look for tokens with favorable safety scores. Avoid tokens with active mint authority, freeze authority, or highly concentrated holder distribution.
Check the chart — Use TokenRadar’s built-in live charts to see the token’s price action. Is it in an uptrend? Has it already pumped 100x? Timing matters.
Execute your trade — Use TokenRadar’s integrated Jupiter swap to buy the token. Start with a small amount.
Monitor and manage — Watch the price, take partial profits if it goes up, and cut your losses if it goes down.
Final Thoughts
Solana memecoin trading is fast, exciting, and full of opportunity — but it demands respect. The traders who succeed long-term are not the ones who get lucky on a single token; they are the ones who manage risk, do their research, and use the right tools.
Start small, learn the patterns, and use platforms like TokenRadar to give yourself an information edge. The Solana ecosystem is not slowing down, and the sooner you build a solid foundation, the better positioned you will be to capitalize on what comes next.
Ready to explore? Head to the TokenRadar dashboard and start discovering new Solana tokens today.
