The meme coin launch platform Pump.fun has introduced a new reward model, shifting the focus from token creators to traders.
Creator Fees need change. Not every token deserves Creator Fees.
Now, users have the ability to decide whether a token truly deserves Creator Fees, or whether it makes more sense to reward the traders engaging with the token.
Cashback Coins are now live. Learn more 👇 pic.twitter.com/UbYoAbQ1Ya
— Pump.fun (@Pumpfun) February 17, 2026
Now, creators can choose to keep the Creator Fees or redirect payments to traders through a cashback mechanism. This decision is made before the asset’s release and is irrevocable.
According to developers, not all creators of “funny coins” deserve rewards. Many projects thrive without a team or leader, leading to the unfair enrichment of deployers.
Under the original model, creators received 0.3% of all fees generated by the tokens they launched.
In Terminal, the trading platform integrated into Pump.fun, it was clarified that cashback is credited with each transaction and is available exclusively to their users.
Decline in Fees and Criticism
The change in the reward model occurred against the backdrop of declining fees in January. In the first month of the year, the volume of fees received by Pump.fun amounted to $31.8 million, a 75.6% decrease compared to $148.1 million in January 2025.
Since the beginning of February, the figure has been around $15 million.
Pump.fun has also faced criticism because only a small number of traders profit on the platform.
Out of 58.7 million wallets that interacted with the platform, only 4.76 million earned between $1,000 and $10,000. Fewer than 13,700 addresses achieved millionaire status.
Some community members supported the innovation, while others expressed concerns that the model would reduce developers’ motivation to launch coins.
Wouldn’t this just decrease incentives for devs and increase incentive for multi wallet?
So devs have less reasons to push coins longer, as the most lucrative time is when coins are still on pf, and have just graduated where there is the most volume.
Hope we don’t see more… https://t.co/N4SHdZWUgl
— coos (@profcoos) February 18, 2026
“Developers now have fewer reasons to promote meme coins, as the most profitable time for them is when coins are still on the platform or have just graduated. That’s when the largest trading volumes are observed,” noted a user under the nickname coos.
In January, Pump.fun established a $3 million fund to finance early-stage crypto startups.