February 22, 2026
10 mins
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November 1, 2025
November 1, 2025
Now that you are part of the crypto space and have immersed yourself in the exciting and sometimes overwhelming world of decentralized finance and Web3, you are probably wondering what’s next.
You already know what an ICO is, how centralized launchpads work, and what role crypto launchpads play. You understand that a launchpad in Web3 is the equivalent of a startup incubator in traditional finance, a place designed to help projects grow and attract investment.
But now comes the real question: what do you actually need to participate in an IDO launchpad? You’ve seen the opportunities, you know the advantages, and you want to be aware of the risks before diving in. This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect, so you can make your own conclusions and decide whether IDO launchpads are the right step for you.
Launchpads introduce features like refundable options and a strong vetting process for projects, which makes the entire environment safer compared to older models like ICOs. Back in the ICO days, investor funds often disappeared into a black hole with no protection or guarantees.
IDOs changed that dynamic. By running everything through smart contracts, token distribution is automated and contributions are safeguarded from start to finish.
For investors, this means easier access, greater transparency, and built-in safety measures, all of which make IDO launchpads one of the most appealing ways to step into early-stage crypto projects.
One of the biggest fears for crypto investors has always been scams or rug pulls. IDO launchpads reduce this risk by carefully vetting projects before they go live. They also solve the issue of unfair access; instead of tokens being reserved for insiders, launchpads use systems like lotteries or first-come-first-served (FCFS) contributions to give more people a fair chance.
Investor security is another major challenge. With IDOs, transactions are handled through smart contracts, which means you don’t have to rely solely on the project team. Unlike ICOs, where safety was uncertain, IDO launchpads ensure tokens are distributed automatically and securely.
Every launchpad has its own rules for who can participate and how. Some require token staking or token-gating, which means you first need to buy and hold the launchpad’s own token before you can join a sale.
While this may sound straightforward, it actually adds another layer of risk, because the value of that token is just as volatile as the project you want to invest in. In other words, before you even access a new project, you’re already exposed to market swings.
At CoinTerminal, we keep things simple. There’s no staking, no token-gating, and no hidden requirements. All you need is stablecoins to contribute and a one-time, privacy-conscious KYC process through BlockPass. Once you complete it, you’re cleared to participate in any sale on our platform without repeating the process.
Understanding token sales is essential if you want to participate in an IDO launchpad. A token sale is basically the moment when a project decides to raise funds in the Web3 space by offering its tokens to the public.
These tokens represent pieces of the project’s value, almost like breaking the project into thousands or millions of parts. When you hold a token, you’re not only putting money into the project, you’re also creating a direct link with it.
The token is a virtual asset that reflects the project’s value, and its price will move up or down depending on how the project grows, delivers, and gets adopted. That’s why knowing how token sales work is key: it helps you understand what kind of relationship you’re entering into and what to expect over time.
Preparation makes all the difference when it comes to IDO launchpads. Before you commit funds, you need to feel confident about the basics of how the crypto space works:
Risk management is one of the main reasons IDOs exist in the first place. For investors, it’s about protecting your capital while still taking advantage of new opportunities. That means setting limits on how much you allocate to a single project, diversifying across multiple sales, and choosing platforms that offer safety features like refundable contributions.
At CoinTerminal, risk management isn’t treated as an extra layer; it’s built into the system itself. By offering open access, no token-gating, and refundable sales, we make sure participation stays fair, simple, and low-risk.
Getting into a token sale through an IDO launchpad is a straightforward process once you know the steps:
For a full guide, check our blog on how to join a token presale.
Once you’ve registered and completed the basics, your investment journey begins. You’ll be able to browse the launchpad’s active sales, explore different projects, and decide which ones match your goals. When you’re ready, you can contribute directly with stablecoins and secure your allocation.
After the sale ends, you’ll claim your tokens; sometimes all at once, sometimes through a vesting schedule depending on the project. And at CoinTerminal, there’s a bonus: every contribution automatically enters you into our monthly lottery, even if you later request a refund.
Participating in an IDO launchpad is about more than just buying tokens; it’s about knowing the risks, understanding the process, and choosing a platform you can trust.
CoinTerminal makes that easy: open-access sales, refundable contributions, and a transparent path for everyday investors to join early-stage projects.
Explore our active sales today and see what opportunities await.
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.
