Pump.enjoyable, the go-to Solana launchpad for memecoins, simply dropped Pump Ventures Fund, its first correct funding arm, along with a $3 million hackathon. Unveiled in mid-January 2026, this system is constructed to again early-stage groups that may truly create attention-grabbing tasks.
The 30-day “Construct in Public” hackathon will decide 12 winners, every getting $250,000 at a $10 million valuation. To qualify, groups should launch a token on Pump.enjoyable, hold not less than 10% of the provision, and present their work stay by frequent updates and streams.
Some folks within the Solana group are seeing this as an actual shot at waking the ecosystem again up after months of quieter quantity. Others are simply asking: the place is the airdrop?
when https://t.co/VnIoJbxKlh airdrop? @Pumpfun pic.twitter.com/j9E6Armwt2
— Kovni (@KovniCrypto) January 21, 2026
DISCOVER: Gold Worth Hits $4,750 on ‘Greenback Collapse’ Fears Whereas BTC USD Drops to $88k
Pump Ventures Fund: A Swap From Memes to Utility Cash?
Pump Ventures Fund is designed to fund tasks that go manner past viral memecoins. As a substitute of judging primarily based on big-name founders, it seems at stay traction: how a lot group help a venture pulls in actual time.
Groups are anticipated to construct brazenly, ship a token on the platform, and show they’ll execute quick and transparently. Purposes kicked off January 19, 2026, and the primary batch of funded groups must be revealed round February 18.
The entire setup is supposed to reward precise progress and consumer engagement whereas rising Solana’s developer scene.
Eligibility necessities
– Launch a token– Construct a venture– Personal not less than 10% of the token’s provide– Construct in Public: Posting on X, forming a Neighborhood & Streaming on Pump enjoyable are HIGHLY encouraged-Apply through the shape: https://t.co/QPWHidRgab
— Pump.enjoyable (@Pumpfun) January 19, 2026
Why now? The timing isn’t random: Pump.enjoyable’s buying and selling quantity has dropped onerous, from $11.75 billion in January 2025 all the best way all the way down to $2.43 billion by December 2025.
That slowdown pushed the group to evolve past pure memecoin launches and begin supporting tasks with extra endurance. By providing funding, founder mentorship, and a built-in token launch requirement, Pump.enjoyable is making an attempt to create stronger incentives for creators and convey extra constant exercise again to the community.
EXPLORE: Commerce Warfare Casualty! XRP Erases January Good points as Trump Tariff Menace Spooks International Markets
Not Everyone seems to be Pleased: Airdrop Hopes Nonetheless Alive?
The group response is usually upbeat. Many see Pump Ventures Fund as a signthat the platform is leveling up and making an attempt to construct one thing extra sturdy. On the similar time, an enormous chunk of holders are nonetheless laser-focused on the PUMP airdrop that was teased months in the past however nonetheless has no confirmed date or snapshot particulars. That delay retains popping up in each dialogue, at the same time as the brand new fund will get consideration.
Customers are curious in regards to the delay in Pump Enjoyable asserting the airdrop teased over a 12 months in the past.
Over the previous 12 months, Pump.enjoyable has generated $575.4 million in complete charges, equal to three.42 million SOL, underscoring how worthwhile the meme coin launchpad has been throughout peak buying and selling intervals.
Day by day buying and selling quantity tells the same story. Firstly of the 12 months, Pump.enjoyable commonly noticed tons of of tens of millions of {dollars} in day by day quantity. Since then, volumes have trended decrease, although periodic rebounds counsel ongoing curiosity moderately than a whole slowdown. Exercise seems extra cyclical now, pushed by brief bursts of hype as an alternative of sustained momentum.
(Supply: Dune)
On the consumer facet, Pump.enjoyable has reached 28.7 million complete addresses, highlighting how extensively it has been used throughout the Solana ecosystem. In complete, greater than 15.3 million tokens have been launched by the platform. Even now, day by day exercise stays notable, with round 1,600 addresses creating tokens per day and roughly 600 new tokens launched day by day.
On the value facet, PUMP caught a fast 10–11% spike proper after the announcement, however couldn’t maintain it. As of January 21, 2026, it’s buying and selling between $0.00247 and $0.0027, down 2–9% within the final 24 hours.
It’s nonetheless displaying life, although: up roughly 6% over the previous week and about 26% during the last 30 days.
Sentiment is impartial: a drop under present ranges may check $0.0018, whereas a clear breakout would possibly intention for $0.0035.
DISCOVER:
16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2026
99Bitcoins’ This autumn 2025 State of Crypto Market Report
Observe 99Bitcoins on X For the Newest Market Updates and Subscribe on YouTube For Day by day Knowledgeable Market Evaluation.
The submit Pump Enjoyable Launches Pump Ventures Fund with $3M Hackathon: Solana Season Coming Again? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
