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US investors were notably excluded from the $500 million Pump.fun ICO despite involvement from US-based exchanges like Kraken, highlighting ongoing legal concerns over securities regulations.
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Pump.fun and its competitor Bonk.fun are leading Solana’s meme coin launchpad market, each generating approximately 20,000 new tokens daily, intensifying competition in the space.
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With the US House passing the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts, regulatory momentum is building that could soon allow platforms like Pump.fun to legally include American investors.
US investors missed out on Pump.fun’s $500M ICO due to securities laws, while Solana meme coin launchpads heat up amid evolving crypto regulations in the US.
Americans Missed Out on Yet Another New Token Launch
The Solana-based meme coin launchpad Pump.fun successfully raised an astonishing $500 million in under 12 minutes on July 11, marking one of the largest crypto launches of the year. Centralized exchanges such as Kraken and Bybit facilitated over $50 million of this fundraising, yet US and UK investors were excluded from participation.
Industry experts attribute this exclusion primarily to securities regulations. Tony Drummond, founder of Tokenomics.net and advisor to Outlier Ventures, explained, “It’s not that uncommon to see an ICO restrict US buyers,” citing the complex legal landscape around token sales in the United States.
Despite Kraken’s US base, the legal risk associated with classifying the PUMP token as a security—especially given its anticipated 25% share in platform revenue—likely drove the decision to block US investors. The UK’s exclusion may similarly relate to regulatory frameworks like MiCA, though this is less common.
Meme Coin Launchpad Market Is Heating Up
Pump.fun faces stiff competition from Bonk.fun, another Solana-based meme coin launchpad. Both platforms are prolific, launching roughly 20,000 new tokens daily, fueling a rapidly expanding and competitive market.
Number of tokens created per day on Pump.fun since launch. Source: Dune Analytics
Having substantial capital from the ICO could be crucial for Pump.fun’s ability to maintain and grow its market share. The NFT market’s history shows how incumbents like OpenSea can be challenged by agile newcomers, underscoring the dynamic nature of crypto markets.
Number of tokens created per day on Bonk.fun since launch. Source: Dune Analytics
While some analysts like Drummond describe Pump.fun’s rapid token creation as “a cancerous tumor,” others believe both platforms will coexist and continue to fuel innovation in Solana’s meme coin ecosystem. Trader Adam Tehc, who tracks Pump.fun statistics, notes the irony of US investors missing out despite the US president’s own meme coin presence.
US Crypto Regulation Summer
Regulatory developments in Washington signal potential changes for platforms like Pump.fun. The US House recently passed the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts, which aim to establish clearer distinctions between commodities and securities and define regulatory authority between the SEC and CFTC.
Once enacted, these laws could provide a more structured framework for crypto exchanges and trading platforms, potentially enabling previously excluded investors to participate in token sales legally. While the CLARITY Act still requires refinement, the current momentum suggests a future where US-based blockchain companies have clearer pathways to capital formation.
This evolving regulatory landscape may soon allow platforms like Pump.fun to welcome American investors, balancing innovation with compliance.
Conclusion
The exclusion of US investors from the Pump.fun ICO underscores the ongoing challenges posed by securities regulations in the crypto space. Meanwhile, the fierce competition between meme coin launchpads on Solana highlights a vibrant and rapidly evolving market. With significant legislative efforts underway, the US may soon establish clearer regulatory frameworks that enable broader participation in crypto fundraising events. For investors and platforms alike, staying informed about these developments will be critical as the industry moves toward greater maturity and compliance.
