Key Developments in Pump.fun's Expansion
- •Pump.fun has launched a dedicated investment arm to provide funding and strategic support for promising startups within the Solana ecosystem.
- •The platform introduced Pump Advanced, a professional-grade trading terminal featuring smart order routing and real-time data analytics.
- •The strategic expansion aims to transition Pump.fun from a retail launchpad into a comprehensive service hub for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.
Solana-based memecoin launchpad Pump.fun has officially expanded its operations by establishing a new investment arm to fund emerging blockchain startups. This move coincides with the release of “Pump Advanced,” a specialized trading terminal designed to offer professional tools to retail traders. By diversifying into venture capital and advanced trading infrastructure, the platform seeks to solidify its position as a central pillar of the Solana DeFi ecosystem.
Introducing the $3,000,000 Build in Public Hackathon
Brought to you by Pump Fund – pump fun’s New Investment Arm
It’s time to completely reimagine how early-stage projects are built and funded.
Learn more 👇 pic.twitter.com/l1TJcxv1J0
— Pump.fun (@Pumpfun) January 19, 2026
Investing in Utility and Innovation
The new investment division will focus on identifying and supporting projects that bring long-term utility to the Solana network. While Pump.fun gained notoriety for its bonding curve model that allows anyone to launch memecoins for minimal fees, this shift signals an intent to capture more sustainable value within the industry. The initiative is expected to provide capital and mentorship to developers building on the platform, fostering an environment of high-level innovation beyond speculative assets.
Enhancing Liquidity Through Advanced Trading Infrastructure
Alongside its venture efforts, the platform’s new Pump Advanced terminal provides users with an institutional-grade experience. The tool includes features such as deep liquidity pool access, smart order routing to minimize slippage, and real-time market metrics like “top 10 holders” and “sniper holdings.” These enhancements are designed to help users navigate the high-speed Solana market more effectively, especially as trading volumes on the platform reached a record $2.03 billion in early January 2026.
Founder Alon Cohen addressed the community, highlighting that 2026 would be a year of “transformative changes” for the platform’s incentive structures.
“Pump fun’s 3rd year will be all about optimizing our existing ecosystem while trying to expand it with big bets, such as betting on the startup ecosystem via initiatives like Pump Fund and the Build in Public Hackathon.”
Furthermore, Cohen noted that while previous fee models boosted on-chain activity, the new strategy would move toward a market-driven approach to better align the interests of creators and traders. This includes a creator fee-sharing system that allows developers to distribute revenue to multiple wallets, increasing transparency for potential investors.
Strategic Positioning Within the Solana Landscape
The launch of the investment arm is seen as a proactive step toward building a “platform-within-a-platform” model. By managing a treasury and funding new protocols, Pump.fun can generate recurring revenue that is not solely dependent on the volatile memecoin market. As Solana continues to capture a larger share of retail DeFi activity, Pump.fun’s evolution into a venture-backed infrastructure provider may set a new standard for decentralized launchpads.
Meanwhile, intense scrutiny is focusing on the memecoin platform Pump.fun’s treasury management and financial transparency following recent, massive capital outflows. This includes a notable $148 million stablecoin transfer from a wallet linked to Pump.fun to the Kraken exchange, contributing to hundreds of millions of dollars in total capital moving off the platform.