February 22, 2026
10 mins
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September 30, 2025
If you are looking for the next opportunity in crypto, it is important to access it early. That means finding projects still in their funding or early stage, before they officially launch. A launch happens after the token generation event, when the token is finally listed on a centralized or decentralized exchange. In this guide, you will learn the main places to look for early projects.
There are different ways to discover early projects, from curated sources to social media communities. Some are more reliable than others, but combining them gives you a full picture.
Launchpads are one of the best ways to find early tokens since they announce and vet new projects. Popular names include DAO Maker, CoinList, and CoinTerminal. To learn how to recognize trustworthy launchpads, check out our dedicated article on launchpad safety.
Tracking sites like ICO Drops, CoinMarketCap’s ICO Calendar, and similar platforms list upcoming token sales. These are helpful to see what’s coming up and to compare different projects. For more details, read our article comparing IDOs and ICOs.
Explorers like Etherscan or BSCScan show new token creation trends. Watching these patterns can give you hints about where activity is happening and which projects might soon gain attention.
Most early projects build their first community on Telegram, Discord, and Twitter (X). By joining these spaces and following trustworthy KOLs, you can hear about opportunities before they reach a wider audience. Always double-check details and avoid groups that focus solely on hype.
Some large platforms, such as CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap, highlight pre-launch projects. While not all are vetted equally, they are a good place to begin your search.
Using Launchpads To Discover Early Projects
Launchpads offer you an excellent opportunity to access early-stage projects as they thoroughly vet them. Read more about the top benefits of using a crypto launchpad in a previous article.
A crypto launchpad is a platform where Web3 projects raise funding by minting and selling their tokens to investors. For detailed information, read our article on it.
Every launchpad has its own process. At CoinTerminal, it is simple: complete KYC once, and you are ready to join any IDO sale. We don’t require staking or token gating, and many of our sales are refundable.
Some launchpads specialize in networks, such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, or Solana. Following the launchpads that fit your preferred ecosystem is a smart way to focus your search.
A strong community is often an early signal of a project’s potential. Pay attention to how active and genuine the conversations are around a launchpad’s upcoming sales.
On-chain tools can help track wallets and activity around new projects. While this is more advanced, it can be valuable for spotting momentum before it becomes public.
Not every presale is legitimate. Watch out for fake websites, unrealistic promises, or launchpads with little track record. For a deeper look, check our article on the risks of using launchpads.
Accessing early-stage projects can be rewarding for investors at any budget. The key is to do your own research, follow trusted platforms, and stay current with crypto trends.
At CoinTerminal, we make early access simple. Complete KYC once, and you can join any of our IDO sales. Our model is open access, refundable, and secure. With contributions of 250 USDT or more, you are also entered into our $5,000 monthly lottery, even if you later request a refund. Check 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.
