PumpSwap, the decentralized exchange developed by Solana-based meme coin launchpad Pump.Fun, launched a revenue-sharing model on May 12, 2025, distributing 50% of its trading revenue to token creators. Creators earn 0.05% (5 basis points) in Solana (SOL) per transaction for eligible tokens. PumpSwap’s fee structure includes a 0.25% fee per trade, with 0.2% allocated to liquidity providers and 0.05% retained as protocol revenue, though some sources suggest total fees may reach 0.3% due to an additional creator vault fee.
Based on April 2025’s $11.2 billion trading volume, creators could have shared approximately $5.6 million. The move aims to incentivize long-term project development but has faced criticism on X for potentially rewarding developers of abandoned or “rug-pulled” tokens, with users like 0xRiver arguing it may discourage community-driven projects. The revenue-sharing model, distributing 0.05% per transaction to token creators, aims to encourage developers to build and maintain sustainable projects on PumpSwap.
By tying creator earnings to trading volume, it aligns their interests with the platform’s success, potentially fostering higher-quality tokens and reducing speculative “pump-and-dump” schemes. With PumpSwap’s April 2025 trading volume at $11.2 billion, the 50% revenue split could yield significant payouts — around $5.6 million shared among creators monthly. This could attract more developers to the platform, increasing token diversity and trading activity, but the actual distribution depends on individual token volumes.
The model strengthens PumpSwap’s position in the competitive DeFi space, particularly against rivals like Raydium or Uniswap. By rewarding creators, it may drive liquidity and user adoption, as projects gain incentives to promote their tokens actively. Critics highlight the potential for abuse, as creators of low-effort, abandoned, or “rug-pulled” tokens could still earn revenue if their tokens maintain trading volume. This could dilute the quality of projects and reward bad actors, undermining trust in the platform.
Many, particularly developers and traders, view the revenue share as a game-changer. Posts praise PumpSwap for empowering creators with a passive income stream, potentially stabilizing meme coin ecosystems. Some argue it could reduce reliance on ICOs or pre-sales, democratizing funding. CryptoBanter called it “a bold move to keep creators in the game,” suggesting it could spark a wave of innovative projects.
Critics like 0xRiver on X argue the model inadvertently rewards developers of failed or scammy projects, as revenue is tied to trading volume, not project quality. They fear it disincentivizes community-driven tokens where developers relinquish control post-launch. Some posts criticize the model for favoring creators over decentralized governance, potentially concentrating influence among a few high-volume projects. DefiDegenerate noted, “This feels like a step back from true DeFi principles.”
Fee Structure Debate: Confusion over PumpSwap’s fees (0.25% vs. reported 0.3% with a creator vault fee) has fueled distrust. Users question transparency and whether the additional fee burdens traders. The revenue share creates tension between incentivizing creators and preserving decentralized, community-led projects. Critics argue it prioritizes developers over token holders or liquidity providers.
While some see the model as a way to curb meme coin volatility, others believe it may fuel speculative trading without addressing underlying project fundamentals. PumpSwap’s revenue-sharing model could reshape the meme coin and DeFi landscape by attracting creators and boosting platform activity, but it risks rewarding low-quality projects and alienating advocates of decentralization.
The divide reflects broader tensions in DeFi between incentivizing innovation and maintaining equitable, transparent ecosystems. Monitoring trading volume and creator behavior in coming months will clarify whether the model drives sustainable growth or exacerbates existing flaws.