February 22, 2026
10 mins
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April 22, 2025
April 22, 2025
Everyone dreams of changing their life overnight. These kinds of dreams fuel the collective imagination: the American Dream, going to Vegas, throwing down money, and, whether by luck or destiny, becoming a millionaire. That same dream draws many people into the world of cryptocurrencies, while also keeping others from truly grasping its complexities.
The problem is that cryptocurrencies have, unfortunately, become associated with scams, largely due to the massive Ponzi schemes that surfaced during the ICO boom back in 2017.
At the time, projects raised millions with little more than a whitepaper and a promise. Notable cases like BitConnect, which guaranteed high returns but collapsed as one of the industry’s biggest Ponzi schemes, left thousands of investors empty-handed.
From 2014 to 2019, ICO-related scams led to investor losses of around $10.12 billion, which accounted for 65.8% of the total market capitalization raised by the 1,014 ICOs analyzed in the study (Grobys, King, & Sapkota, 2022). These high-profile failures tainted the industry, making it harder for serious projects to gain investor trust and leaving many wary of getting involved.
Many ICO projects followed the same logic as a teenager’s plan: grand ambitions, no clear execution plan, and investors left guessing how things would actually work. This uncertainty fueled hesitation, as people weren’t just afraid of scams but also of navigating an ecosystem where even legitimate projects lacked transparency.
Many new investors had no way to assess whether a project had real potential or was just another empty promise.
Launchpads come in, addressing the root issues that made ICOs so unreliable. Launchpads filter out projects, ensuring they have a real team, a coherent roadmap, and realistic plans for growth before they ever reach investors.
Instead of relying on speculation and hype alone, investors can tap into filtered opportunities that have already passed through a rigorous selection process.
By introducing a trustless model, launchpads remove the need to blindly trust project teams. Instead, they create a structured system where transparency, due diligence, and investor protection are built into the process.
Investing in crypto launchpads offers numerous benefits for investors, including:
How do crypto launchpads curate and select the projects they support? The process is called vetting, and while each launchpad has its own approach, the goal remains the same: to ensure that only legitimate, well-structured projects are approved.
Here’s what typically happens behind the scenes when a project applies to be featured on a launchpad:
Team Confirmation: The launchpad verifies the identity, history, and integrity of those behind the startup. Do they have experience with blockchain? Have they led successful startups? This matters; a remarkable idea means nothing without the right team to execute it.
Narrative Alignment: Crypto narratives drive capital and attention. Launchpads evaluate whether a project aligns with emerging trends, such as DeFi, NFTs, or AI. If a project taps into a strong narrative, it has a better chance of success.
Tokenomics and Fund Allocation: Launchpads analyze how tokens are distributed and how funds will be used. Fair allocation prevents whales from dominating and ensures sustainability.
User Base: A strong, growing user base indicates product-market fit and demand. Launchpads assess community engagement and onboarding processes.
Security Measures and Smart Contract Audits: Third-party audits ensure that the project’s code is safe, minimizing the risk of rug pulls.
Strong Socials and Market Potential: Launchpads look for real community traction on X (Twitter), Discord, and Telegram, avoiding projects that rely on fake engagement.
What CoinTerminal Looks for in a Project
At CoinTerminal, we focus on a project’s secondary liquidity potential, narrative fit, and marketing resources. We go beyond product quality to assess long-term sustainability.
Launchpads are crypto’s equivalent of an early-stage startup incubator. They allow you to invest in a project before it is listed on major exchanges, providing early access to tokens at reduced prices. This is one of the main reasons savvy investors flock to launchpads: you get in while valuations are still low, with a chance to observe the team and product closely before the public does.
The benefits of early access include:
How CoinTerminal Removes Staking and Whitelist Barriers
Our model removes staking and whitelists, so you can invest freely and get a refund if it doesn’t perform.
Traditional crypto launches often favor whales and insiders, leaving everyday investors with limited access. Launchpads were designed to change that. By implementing participation rules and purchase limits, they create a more equitable investing environment. Here’s how launchpads promote fairness:
CoinTerminal’s Open-Access Model Explained
CoinTerminal removes traditional barriers to entry, such as token staking or lock-ups, offering an open-access experience that makes early-stage investing simple and accessible to everyone.
It uses a transparent lottery system where all wallets have an equal chance of winning, regardless of size. With beginner-friendly tools and a built-in refund option, CoinTerminal is redefining what it means to access Web3 opportunities. Try it now.
Even with thorough vetting, not all projects are suitable for every investor. Once a project is listed on a launchpad, the ball is in your court. It’s up to you to evaluate if the project fits your strategy, risk tolerance, and interests.
Launchpads eliminate obvious scams, but true investing confidence comes from research. Digging deeper helps you avoid emotional decisions and build a more strategic portfolio.
How CoinTerminal Helps You Research Smarter
We surface the data that matters, project summaries, reviews, and dashboards in one place.
One of the most powerful things about launchpads is the sense of community they create. You’re not just buying tokens, you’re joining a movement early and becoming part of its growth journey. That includes having direct access to founders and investors, real-time updates, and mechanisms that support investor safety.
Benefits of this ecosystem approach:
How CoinTerminal Builds Two-Way Investor Engagement
We believe in creating win-win structures. Our refundable allocations, real-time feedback loops, and active community spaces are designed to empower you as both a backer and a participant. You support innovation not just with money, but with engagement, ideas, and collaboration.
Crypto launchpads aren’t magic, but they provide one of the smartest ways to enter the space. They offer early access, lower risk, and better tools for evaluating projects.
If you're ready to invest smarter, CoinTerminal is your next step. Join the industry’s only open-access launchpad. Get in on top-tier projects without staking, hidden fees, or insider hoops.
Sign up in less than 60 seconds and start participating in refundable IDO sales. All the upside, none of the downside.
Invest smarter. On your terms. Only with CoinTerminal.
This article is for educational purposes only. It is a general guide for founders and users navigating the Web3 space. It does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.If you want to learn more about raising funds or which IDOs to look into, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram at any time.
