How Crypto Launchpads Are Changing the Way Projects Raise Capital

Crypto launchpads are changing the game of fundraising. They’re not just an improvement within Web3 or a safer and easier way to raise capital. They go beyond that.

When compared to traditional crowdfunding platforms or startup incubators in traditional finance, Launchpads represent a shift in how we think about funding. It’s about access, collective action, and a hyper-connected world.

Launchpads are becoming the new standard, bringing more people in and providing a way for individuals to participate in early-stage projects across borders and currencies, without gatekeepers.

According to CryptoRank, there have been over 2,338 token sales through IDOs and launchpads, raising more than $3.14 billion across launchpads, with an average ROI of 0.35x and an average ATH ROI of 16.42x, proving that this model continues to gain traction at scale.

How Did Blockchain Projects Raise Capital Before Launchpads?

Before launchpads became the standard, most blockchain projects raised capital the same way any startup would: through friends, family, and anyone willing to take a bet on a vision. 

Founders would build their own websites, write a whitepaper, and promote their project directly to the public. This was the time of ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings).

ICOs were direct and often bootstrapped, but they brought serious concerns. Without regulation or transparency, scams were rampant, especially during the 2017 cycle. And while the intention wasn’t always malicious, the space simply didn’t know better at the time. We had to learn the hard way.

That learning curve gave rise to new fundraising models, such as IEOs and later IDOs, which offered more structure and oversight. However, launchpads are what truly changed the game.

How Launchpads Support Long-Term Project Sustainability

Launchpads offer more than just a place to mint and distribute tokens; they provide the full infrastructure for a successful Web3 launch. From smart contract execution to secure distribution, everything is built to support founders technically and operationally.

What makes them truly valuable is how they contribute to the sustainability of a project. Good launchpads don’t just list any project; they select and support those with real potential. 

They guide founders on tokenomics, branding, and marketing strategies. They also offer a curated selection of projects for investors, which gives them safety and predictability when it comes to how and where to find projects and why to communicate with project founders. 

This infrastructure helps sustain all the necessary inputs that project founders need, not only to achieve a successful launch, but also to build a community that will help sustain the project in the long term.

How Launchpads Enable Early Access for Retail Investors

Launchpads are designed to make investing in early-stage crypto projects easier and safer for retail users. Depending on the platform, users may need to stake tokens or complete KYC, but some, like CoinTerminal, remove those barriers completely. No token gating. No staking. Just connect your wallet and participate.

This simplicity opens the door for more users around the world to invest early, without needing to be insiders or whales. The CoinTerminal platform guides users through the process and provides vetted projects to explore. It’s a user-friendly bridge between crypto investors and promising new ideas.

How Do Crypto Launchpads Build Trust Between Founders and Backers?

Launchpads are the bridge between project founders and retail investors. How? First, for project founders, they provide an infrastructure and credibility to launch their projects safely. In that sense, they give investors a curated selection of projects that have been vetted by the launchpad.

Investors know they can rely on the launchpad’s reputation to find and evaluate projects in their niche of interest. And for founders, there’s the confidence that they’re gaining access to a global community genuinely interested in supporting new ideas.

The Importance of Community in Launchpad Fundraising Models

In Web3, community is everything. Engagement is what drives growth, and even a small but passionate community can bring a project to life.

What’s powerful about launchpads is their global reach. A project might not gain traction in its founder’s home country, but it could find hundreds or thousands of supporters in completely different regions. That’s the magic of a hyperconnected space.

With the right alignment between the project’s niche and the launchpad’s user base, even a focused community can be the key to a successful raise and long-term stability.

Challenges and Risks of the Launchpad Funding Model

All financial models come with risks, and launchpads are no exception. Not every project that launches will succeed. Some tokens may lose value after TGE. Some communities may lose interest.

For launchpads, the challenge is maintaining high-quality listings. For investors, it’s knowing how to assess project fundamentals even when a launchpad has done some vetting.

The model itself is powerful, but users still need to do their own research. Risk comes with the territory, and education remains essential.

What Does the Future of Fundraising Look Like in the Web3 Era?

Fundraising in Web3 looks incredibly promising. The trend shows more and more users stepping into the space as they discover a system that offers greater control, more transparency, and better opportunities than traditional finance tools.

As access widens, the hard lessons from early fundraising cycles are becoming the new standard. Safety. Accessibility. A wider variety of projects. These are no longer optional; they're expected. And this shift will define how capital is raised in the years to come.

Final Thoughts

Launchpads are here to stay. They're setting the new standard for fundraising in Web3, making it safer, more transparent, and more rewarding for investors worldwide.

At CoinTerminal, we’ve removed the usual barriers so that anyone can join. No token gating. No staking. Just connect your wallet and participate. Our refundable sales give users peace of mind, and our fair lottery system, powered by Chainlink VRF, is fully on-chain. Plus, every refundable sale gives you the chance to win a $5,000 prize just for joining.