Pump.fun has launched direct messaging (DM) and group messaging features on its mobile apps, which will be available for iOS and Android devices starting Thursday, March 13, 2023.
This update follows the abrupt shutdown of its livestream feature, which had sparked controversy since its introduction in mid-2024. The memecoin launchpad remains a key driver of traffic and liquidity on the Solana blockchain.
Pump.fun ends livestream feature after content moderation issues
The platform introduced livestreaming to help creators promote their memecoins in real time. The feature was designed to increase user engagement and drive token prices by allowing live broadcasts during launches. Similar strategies have been used successfully in e-commerce markets, particularly in China.
However, the lack of content moderation led to widespread abuse. Users streamed inappropriate and harmful content, including racist and pornographic material, animal abuse, and threats of self-harm, to attract attention to their memecoins. The backlash forced Pump.fun’s co-founder, Alon Cohen, to announce the feature’s shutdown while the team explored better ways to moderate video content.
Messaging features aim to improve community engagement
Following the livestream’s closure, Pump. fun shifted its focus to messaging tools to enhance community engagement. The DM and group messaging features offer a more controlled environment for interactions. While the new features reduce the risk of unmoderated content, there are concerns that some users might still attempt to exploit them to generate hype for memecoins.
Industry observers believe this shift is also an attempt by Pump.fun to rebuild its reputation and increase platform activity, which has declined since the live stream feature was removed. Reports indicate platform activity dropped by 50% late last year, with a brief recovery in January. However, the market downturn worsened after high-profile memecoins like LIBRA and TRUMP caused heavy losses despite being backed by political figures such as Javier Milei and Donald Trump.
Pump.fun faces challenges amid market dominance
Despite setbacks, Pump.fun remains a major force in the memecoin sector. The platform launched over 70% of Solana-based memecoins in 2024. It generates revenue through a 1% trading fee and SOL charges for tokens that qualify for listings on larger exchanges. At its peak, the platform collected up to $15 million in trading fees.
Laboratory faced significant obstacles in 2022 because it had to confront various class-action lawsuits across the United States. In its December 2024 warning, the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom declared that Pump.fun lacked authorization to conduct business within the country, thus restricting UK user access. A security challenge for the platform occurred when the X account fell victim to hackers who spread deceitful tokens through its platform.
People in communities have an ambivalent response to the new messaging capabilities. The new messaging features receive positive and protective reactions from users within the community. The user @0xKaco on X platform described “Pump fun has always been a social platform first with trading functions secondarily.” Users expressed worries about harassment which stems from the streaming scandals that occurred at the platform. Approving or disapproving opinions aside users have already formed groups for testing out this new feature. Future months will show if this alteration helps the platform succeed or if it will face similar past difficulties.