Pump.fun is pivoting away from its failed livestreaming experiment, introducing direct messaging (DMs) and group chats to its mobile apps to revive engagement on the platform. The new feature, will be available on iOS and Android, marking a shift in strategy for the Solana-based memecoin launchpad after a tumultuous year.
But will messaging succeed where livestreaming failed, or is Pump.fun setting itself up for another controversy?
Initially, Pump.fun launched its livestream feature to help creators generate hype around their memecoins, allowing them to host real-time events to attract investors and pump token prices.
This model mirrors China’s live commerce boom, where influencers showcase products in live streams to drive instant purchases.
However, the unfiltered nature of crypto communities turned the feature into chaos.
- Users began streaming racist, pornographic, and abusive content.
- Some resorted to threats of self-harm or animal abuse to manipulate memecoin speculation.
- A complete lack of content moderation made the platform a breeding ground for dangerous behavior.
The backlash was swift, forcing Pump.fun co-founder Alon Cohen to shut down the feature indefinitely, admitting the platform was unprepared to handle video content moderation at scale.
Messaging to the Rescue?
With livestreaming gone, Pump.fun is betting on messaging as the next big thing. The new DM and group chat features offer a way for memecoin communities to interact, while giving Pump.fun more control over moderation.
However, this doesn’t entirely eliminate the risk of abuse. The memecoin market thrives on attention-seeking behavior, and some users could still exploit messaging for manipulation, harassment, or pump-and-dump schemes.
Since Pump.fun shut down its livestream feature, the platform has reportedly seen a 50% drop in activity.
- January 2025 saw a brief resurgence, but interest has faded again.
- High-profile meme coins like LIBRA and TRUMP collapsed, causing massive losses for holders despite backing from figures like Javier Milei and Donald Trump.
With trading volume declining, some speculate the messaging feature is an attempt to reignite engagement after the livestream failure damaged Pump.fun’s reputation.
A Memecoin Giant Facing Serious Challenges
Despite recent struggles, Pump.fun remains dominant in the memecoin space.
- At its peak, Pump.fun accounted for over 70% of all memecoins launched on Solana.
- The platform has generated millions in trading fees, with revenue hitting $15 million at its highest point.
- Pump.fun charges a 1% trading fee and SOL-based fees for tokens moving to larger exchanges.
However, its success hasn’t come without major hurdles.
Legal Troubles and Regulatory Pressure
Pump.fun is now battling class action lawsuits in the U.S., while regulators in the UK have restricted its operations.
- The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned that Pump.fun isn’t authorized, forcing the platform to block UK users from accessing its services—including the new messaging feature.
- In December 2024, Pump.fun’s official X account was hacked, with attackers promoting fraudulent tokens.
These setbacks have weakened user trust, making it unclear whether the new messaging feature can repair the damage.
Mixed Reactions From the Community
The Pump.fun community remains divided over the new messaging tool.
- Some see it as a natural evolution, with one user on X (@0xKaco) saying, “Pump.fun has always been a social platform first and a trading platform second.”
- Others remain skeptical, questioning whether it will avoid the same pitfalls as livestreaming. One user asked, “Will no one be harassed or sent slurs for selling?”
Still, some early adopters are already testing the new feature, creating group chats and promoting them on X.
Will Messaging Save Pump.fun or Repeat Its Mistakes?
Pump.fun’s shift to DMs and group messaging is a clear attempt to recover from the livestreaming disaster. While it offers a safer way to drive engagement, it’s still uncertain whether it will attract users back to the platform—or become another unmoderated mess.
The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Pump.fun’s messaging feature can restore its status as a top-tier memecoin launchpad—or if it will face another wave of backlash and decline.
Will Pump.fun’s messaging gamble pay off, or is it another disaster waiting to happen? The memecoin community will decide soon enough.
