Memecoin launchpad Pump.fun is launching a new investment arm aimed at supporting promising startups, marking a significant shift from its memecoin origins. On Monday, Pump.fun announced the creation of Pump Fund alongside a $3 million hackathon that will provide funding of $250,000 for 12 projects, each at a valuation of $10 million.
The new investment entity will focus on long-term collaborations with projects that may not necessarily be related to cryptocurrency, providing mentorship from the founders of Pump.fun. This move comes as trading activity on the platform has decreased significantly from its early 2025 peak, which was characterized by a spike in memecoin trading.
Pump.fun indicated that the new investment branch would consider projects across various stages, emphasizing those that demonstrate quick execution and transparent communication. As noted by co-founder Alon Cohen, the demand for capable leaders in cryptocurrency remains robust regardless of market fluctuations. He highlighted that many projects are launching tokens, as users are eager to invest in promising new ideas.
Pump.fun’s trading volumes reached an all-time high of $11.75 billion in January 2025, just one year after its inception. Since then, trading activity has gradually declined, reflecting a wider trend of reduced interest in speculative assets like memecoins.
Source: Pump.fun X post
