Short answer: Ten crypto launchpads with confirmed activity in 2026 are Binance Launchpool, Bitget Launchpool, ChainGPT Pad, CoinList, Fjord Foundry, Gate Launchpool, Kraken Launch, KuCoin Spotlight, Legion and pump.fun. Exchange launchpads give new tokens to users who stake or hold the exchange’s coin. Independent platforms like Legion and CoinList run token sales with KYC and allocation rules.
Disclosure: This list is published by Coinranking. The platforms are listed in alphabetical order. All details come from each platform’s own pages and announcements, checked on October 27, 2026. Numbers are the platforms’ own claims. Token sales are high risk, and this is not financial advice.
A launchpad helps a new crypto project reach its first buyers. For investors, it’s a way in before a token trades on exchanges. For token teams, it’s often the first big marketing moment.
Several launchpads that were popular a few years ago have gone quiet. This list only includes platforms with a sale, event or update in 2026.
Three kinds of launchpad
Exchange launchpads
Big exchanges run their own launch programs. Users usually stake the exchange’s coin or a stablecoin to earn or buy the new token. The token then lists on that exchange.
Independent sale platforms
These platforms run token sales for many projects. They check investors with KYC and decide allocations with scores, tiers or lotteries.
Launch tools
Anyone can create and sell a token with these tools, without a review. pump.fun is the best-known example for meme coins.
At a glance
| Launchpad | Type | How users join | Project fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binance Launchpool | Exchange | Lock BNB or stablecoins | “Listing fee: 0” in recent announcements |
| Bitget Launchpool | Exchange | Lock BGB or the project token | Not public |
| ChainGPT Pad | Independent (IDO) | Stake CGPT for a tier | Not public |
| CoinList | Independent | KYC, then join a sale | Not public |
| Fjord Foundry | Launch tool | Join public sales on-chain | 5% of the amount raised |
| Gate Launchpool | Exchange | Stake USDT, GT or other tokens | Not public |
| Kraken Launch | Exchange | Verified account, then apply for an allocation | Users pay 0.5% (Kraken+ members pay nothing) |
| KuCoin Spotlight | Exchange | Subscribe with USDT, USDG or KCS | Not public |
| Legion | Independent | KYC plus a Legion Score | Not public |
| pump.fun | Launch tool | Buy on a bonding curve | Dynamic fees |
1. Binance Launchpool
Binance runs several launch programs. On Launchpool, users lock BNB or stablecoins to farm a new token before it lists. HODLer Airdrops give new tokens to users who held BNB in Binance Simple Earn.
- Track record: Opinion (OPN) was “the 72nd project on Binance Launchpool”, announced in March 2026. OpenGradient (OPG) was the 66th HODLer Airdrops project, in June 2026.
- Rules: KYC and an eligible country are required. Some airdrops cap how much one user can get.
- For projects: recent announcements state “Listing fee: 0”.
Best for: the largest reach, if a project is selected.
2. Bitget Launchpool
Bitget Launchpool lets users lock BGB or a project’s token to earn new tokens. Rewards are paid every hour, and you can unlock anytime.
- Recent events: Immunefi (IMU) in January 2026 and Cluster Protocol (CP) in September 2026
- Rules: identity verification is required. The US, Singapore and several other regions are excluded.
Best for: BGB holders who want low-effort token rewards.
3. ChainGPT Pad
ChainGPT Pad is an IDO platform. Users stake CGPT to reach a tier, from Bronze to Diamond, which decides their allocation.
- Track record: “100+ projects launched” and “$13M+ raised” since 2023, by its own count
- Chains: EVM chains and Solana
- Rules: KYC through Blockpass, plus a refund window of 7 to 14 days on sales
Best for: AI and Web3 projects, and investors who want tiered access.
4. CoinList
CoinList is one of the oldest token sale platforms. It says it has raised “$1.2B+” across “85+ raises” for “12M+ verified investors”.
- 2026 sales: Zama in January and Flying Tulip and USDai in February
- For projects: a “Raise on CoinList” page for issuers
Best for: larger, well-funded projects that want a known sale platform.
5. Fjord Foundry
Fjord Foundry is a tool for running public token sales, including liquidity bootstrapping pools (LBPs) and fixed-price sales. Projects set up and run the sale themselves.
- Fee: “a 5% fee on the total amount raised”, according to its creator FAQ
- Chains: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, BNB Chain, Polygon, Optimism, Avalanche, Blast and Sonic
- KYC: Fjord does not do KYC itself, but projects can run whitelisted sales
Best for: projects that want to run their own sale with a clear fee.
6. Gate Launchpool
Gate runs a Launchpool where users stake USDT, GT or other tokens to earn new project tokens. It lists new Launchpool projects regularly.
- Rules: identity verification is required, and some regions are excluded
Best for: Gate users who want regular, small token rewards.
7. Kraken Launch
Kraken Launch runs token sales on Kraken, powered by Legion. Allocations come in two rounds: about 80% to higher-scoring clients and about 20% by random draw.
- Fee for users: a 0.5% participation fee on the allocated amount, according to its FAQ. Kraken+ members pay no fee.
- Recent sale: Squid (QUID), June to July 2026, open in the US, UK and EEA, with a $10 minimum
- For projects: apply through Kraken’s listing page
Best for: investors in the US, UK and Europe, where many sales are closed.
8. KuCoin Spotlight
KuCoin Spotlight is KuCoin’s token sale program. In September 2026, it ran “the 34th Spotlight Token Sale”, for Gno.land (GNOT).
- How it works: subscribe with USDT, USDG or KCS. Your share depends on how much everyone commits, and extra funds are refunded.
- Limits: from 10 USDT up to 50,000 USDT per user in recent sales
- For projects: apply through KuCoin’s listing page
Best for: users who want a simple, refund-based subscription.
9. Legion
Legion is a token sale platform that ranks investors with a “Legion Score”, based on on-chain activity, developer work and social presence. It says it selects the “top 2-3% of projects” it reviews.
- Track record: “30+ sales”, “$450M+” committed and “350k+” verified users, by its own count
- Recent sale: Jumper (JUMP) in late September 2026
- Rules: KYC and proof of address, and a $100 minimum in recent sales
- For projects: apply through Legion’s projects page
Best for: active crypto users who want a merit-based chance at allocations.
10. pump.fun
pump.fun is a meme coin launch tool on Solana. Anyone can create a coin. It trades on a bonding curve and moves to PumpSwap once it reaches a set market cap.
- Fees: a dynamic model based on the coin’s market cap
- Review: none. Anyone can launch, so research each coin carefully.
Best for: meme coin launches. It’s not a vetted sale platform.
Also worth knowing
- Coinbase Token Sales ran the Monad sale in November 2025, with “$269M” committed. We found no 2026 sale yet.
- Bybit Launchpool ran its last event we found in March 2026.
How to choose a launchpad as an investor
Check if you can join
Many sales exclude the US, UK or other regions. Check the rules before you buy the staking token.
Understand how allocation works
Some platforms use tiers, some use scores and some use a lottery. Know your real odds of getting tokens.
Look at the token after launch
Check the unlock schedule. Large unlocks after launch can push the price down. You can follow new tokens on Coinranking’s launchpad coins page.
How to choose a launchpad as a token team
Match the launchpad to your stage
Exchange launchpads bring the most reach but are hard to get into. Independent platforms and launch tools are easier, but you bring more of the audience yourself.
Ask about fees and terms
Ask for the fee, the listing terms and any token or stablecoin you must provide. Fjord, for example, publishes a 5% fee.
Plan the marketing around the sale
A launchpad gives you a sale date, not buyers. Most teams also run ads, press releases and listings in the weeks around launch:
- See how to promote a new crypto token and what it costs
- Compare crypto press release distribution services for launch news
- Reach crypto investors with token advertising on Coinranking
FAQ
What is a crypto launchpad?
A platform that helps new crypto projects sell or distribute their first tokens. Users usually stake a token or pass KYC to take part.
Which crypto launchpads are best for US users?
Kraken Launch has run sales open to US users, such as Squid in 2026. Many other launchpads exclude the US.
Are launchpad tokens a safe investment?
No. New tokens are very volatile, and many lose value after launch. Only use money you can afford to lose.
How do token teams get onto a launchpad?
Most launchpads have an application page. Exchanges like KuCoin and Kraken use their listing application. Legion and CoinList have pages for projects.
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