How to spot a memecoin rug pull: 9 checks before you buy
By Blockchain Lab · Published 12 Oct 2026 · Updated 2 Nov 2026
Of the 148 memecoins scanned on this site in the last day, 25 had at least one measured hard fail. Most rugs are visible in public data before they happen. Here is what to check, in order, and which free source answers it. Every check below runs automatically on each token page.
Mint authority (Solana) / mint function (EVM)
If someone can still mint, they can print unlimited supply and dump it. On Solana the mint account says it directly; read it from any RPC. On EVM, look for a mint function and whether ownership is renounced.
Freeze authority (Solana)
A freeze authority can freeze your token account so you cannot sell. Legitimate stablecoins keep one; a memecoin has no reason to.
Token-2022 extensions
Permanent delegate (can move anyone's tokens), transfer hooks (custom code on every transfer) and transfer fees are all visible on the mint. The scanner decodes them byte by byte.
Liquidity and LP lock
Check total pool liquidity and whether LP tokens are burned or locked. Unlocked LP can be pulled in one transaction. pump.fun tokens migrate to pools where LP is burned automatically.
Holder concentration
If the top 10 wallets (excluding pools) hold more than ~50%, a few people decide the price. Bundled launches hide this across many fresh wallets — look at holder count growth too.
Can you actually sell? (honeypots)
A honeypot lets you buy but blocks or taxes selling. On EVM, simulate a buy and sell: this site runs honeypot.is, GoPlus and an independent on-chain simulation through a forked honeyCheck contract. On Solana, ask Jupiter for a sell route. Read what a honeypot token is.
Taxes and owner switches (EVM)
Look for adjustable taxes, blacklists, pausable transfers and hidden owners. A 0% tax today can become 99% tomorrow if the owner can change it.
Developer wallet history
Serial launchers who create dozens of tokens that never graduate are a pattern. Jupiter's audit data shows how many tokens a dev created and how many migrated.
Website and socials
Check the links against a phishing list before connecting a wallet. This site checks every token's links against the Polkadot/Blockchains phishing deny-list (54,863 domains).
Use the token safety scanner for any address, or the launch checklist if you are launching a token yourself.
FAQ
What is a memecoin rug pull?
A rug pull is when insiders remove liquidity, mint new supply or block selling, leaving holders with tokens they cannot sell at a fair price.
How can I check a token for free?
Check mint and freeze authority, LP lock or burn, top-10 holder share, and whether a sell route exists. The safety scanner on this site does all of these from free public data.
Does a CLEAR scan mean a token is safe?
No. It means every hard check was measured and passed at scan time. Owners and holders can still sell, and rules can change.
More guides: Best Solana memecoins · Best Base memecoins · Best Ethereum memecoins · Best BNB Chain memecoins · UK memecoin tax · What is a honeypot token? How to check if you can sell a memecoin · New Solana memecoins today · Memecoin market cap vs FDV vs liquidity · Pump.fun memecoins · Dog vs cat vs frog memecoins · How to read a memecoin safety scan · Mint and freeze authority explained · Memecoin liquidity locks explained · How to buy memecoins safely in the UK