February 22, 2026
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September 21, 2025
If you’re new to the crypto space, looking for the next big opportunity can feel daunting and overwhelming. A token presale is one of the main ways to access projects before they reach the wider market. But between wallets, exchanges, and private websites, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. This guide breaks down the process into simple actions so you can understand what a presale is, how to join one, and what you should keep in mind for safety.
CoinTerminal makes this process even simpler. Our open-access model lets you participate in presales without staking or hidden barriers. Along the way, we’ll highlight how CoinTerminal’s approach connects to each step.
A token presale is when investors can access tokens before they are listed on official exchanges, whether decentralized or centralized. The main advantage is the chance to buy at a discounted price compared to the public listing.
In the cryptocurrency space, as in the traditional finance world, gaining access to opportunities early, buying at a discounted price, and selling at a higher price later is a rule-of-thumb strategy.
By getting early access to projects during their funding phase, you’re not only getting a token at a discounted rate compared to when it will be listed on an exchange, but you also get to know the project more deeply to see how the value could sustain over time.
Getting access to tokens during a presale can be very advantageous for crypto investors. To do it safely and simply, follow these steps:
In the crypto space, this is often called “doing your own research.”
First, check if what the project says is actually true. Look at their social media, the team background, tokenomics, and how they describe the project. Make sure the information that is publicly available is consistent across different sources. See if the project is being mentioned by any KOLs or if it shows up in curated sources of information that you trust.
Second, think about whether the value of this project can be sustained over time. This part is more technical because it connects to tokenomics and how the project’s narrative fits with the current crypto market landscape.
Depending on how you access the presale, you may face restrictions. If it’s through a centralized exchange, a decentralized exchange, or a launchpad, your country might not be eligible. Always check this before you plan your contribution.
Research which blockchain the project is built on and make sure your wallet matches it. You can use multi-chain wallets like TrustWallet or MetaMask, which are among the easiest to set up, or you can choose a native blockchain wallet. With over 500 wallets available, there are plenty of options.
Have the necessary funds in your wallet in advance. Most presales require tokens like ETH, BNB, or USDT, so make sure you’re prepared.
This depends on the platform you use. At CoinTerminal, you only need to complete KYC once. We use our partner BlockPass to verify everything on-chain.
If you join through a launchpad (which we recommend), the process is simple and more secure. If you do it directly through a project website, that’s usually considered an ICO. We’ve explained the difference in detail in another article.
Before you confirm, be sure your KYC is complete and that your wallet is set to the right blockchain to accept the transaction.
Take notes and set alarms or calendar reminders based on the project’s tokenomics. That way, you know when the price might go up or down and can act accordingly.
When you do your own research, also create your own strategy for how long you want to stay invested in the project. Always keep in mind whether the market is bearish or bullish, since trends in Bitcoin and Ethereum usually impact the entire crypto space.
Accessing tokens at an early stage represents a great opportunity to aim for higher ROI in the crypto space.
At CoinTerminal, we’re the first and only open-access crypto launchpad. We offer refundable sales for your safety, with no token gating and no staking required to join our IDO sales directly. Just complete KYC once and you’re ready to participate. If you contribute $250 or more, you’ll also be entered into our monthly $5K lottery; even if you later request a refund.
Check out our active sales now and don’t miss the next big opportunity.
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.
