Pump.fun Launches New Messaging Features

Pump.fun announced the launch of its direct messaging (DM) and group messaging features on its mobile apps, which will be available for iOS and Android devices on Thursday, March 13, 2023.

This new development comes following the abrupt closure of Pump.fun’s controversial livestreaming feature, initially launched in mid-2024. The memecoin launchpad platform significantly drives traffic and liquidity to the Solana blockchain.

> Introducing DMs on Pump.fun
> SEND DMs, CREATE group chats, SEAMLESSLY share coins & much more!
> EXCLUSIVELY on the Pump.fun app
> download NOW 👇
> — pump.fun (@pumpdotfun) March 13, 2025

The Rise and Fall of Pump.fun’s Livestream Feature

Pump.fun launched its livestream feature to help creators generate awareness and engagement around their memecoins. Creators could launch meme tokens and use livestreaming events to encourage more users to buy the tokens and drive prices up in real-time. This concept isn’t unique, as e-commerce platforms in countries like China employ similar strategies to effectively demonstrate their products.

However, the actual outcome fell short of expectations due to a lack of content moderation, not uncommon in the crypto industry. The livestream feature devolved into an arena for harmful content, with users streaming racist, pornographic, and other abusive materials, including animal abuse and threats of bodily harm, all in an effort to drive memecoin purchases.

This situation led to widespread backlash, prompting one of Pump.fun’s founders, Alon Cohen, to announce the shutdown of the livestream feature while they sought improved ways to manage video content moderation.

Messaging to the Rescue?

In light of the unfortunate closure of the livestream feature, Pump.fun seems to be pivoting towards DMs and group messaging as tools for community engagement on the platform. This development is welcome, as it allows more control over content moderation. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if the messaging features may also face abuse. Users often engage in extreme tactics to gain attention for their memecoin launches, making it uncertain how the new features will be utilized.

Speculators suggest this shift may offer Pump.fun a chance to redeem itself following the livestreaming debacle and stimulate activity on the platform, which has seen a decline compared to its meteoric rise last year.

After announcing the indefinite closure of its livestreaming feature, activities on Pump.fun reportedly dropped by 50% late last year. Although there was a temporary uptick earlier in January, the platform has struggled lately after some memecoins like LIBRA and TRUMP caused significant losses to holders, despite being backed by prominent political figures like Javier Milei and Donald Trump.

Pump.fun’s Eventful Year in the Memecoin Space

Despite recent setbacks, Pump.fun remains a key player in the memecoin market. Launched in January 2024 with high expectations, it was responsible for over 70% of the memecoins launched on the Solana blockchain at one point last year.

The platform has proved lucrative for its creators, charging a 1% trading fee along with SOL charges for memecoins that meet its criteria for larger exchanges. At peak trading times, Pump.fun has generated up to $15 million in trading fees.

Yet, this year has not been smooth sailing as Pump.fun currently faces various class action lawsuits in the United States. In December 2024, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned that Pump.fun was not authorized for operation in the country, resulting in restricted access to the platform for UK users. Consequently, those users still cannot access the memecoin launchpad or its new messaging feature.

Additionally, Pump.fun’s official X account was recently hacked, with attackers promoting fraudulent tokens.

Reactions to the new messaging feature have been mixed within Pump.fun’s community. Some users express skepticism, while others show enthusiasm. One user on X (@0xKaco) noted, “Pump.fun has always been a social platform first and a trading platform second,” while others voiced concerns about potential harassment and slurs from the livestream mishap.

Despite these uncertainties, some users are already experimenting with the new feature and announcing their group chats on X. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the new messaging feature is a true upgrade or if it merely continues the legacy of the controversial livestreaming feature.