Emily Walker
Pump.fun, a platform that facilitates the launch of meme coins on the Solana blockchain, is facing increasing legal troubles. A new lawsuit has been initiated against it, claiming the platform has engaged in fraudulent practices and contravened U.S. securities regulations.
This legal action adds to the ongoing scrutiny directed towards meme coin projects, particularly those flagged for potential pump-and-dump activities.
Recent Lawsuit Claims Securities Breaches
The latest class-action suit, lodged by Burwick Law and Wolf Popper LLP, accuses Pump.fun of selling unregistered securities under the guise of meme coins.
The complaint states that the platform misled investors into acquiring tokens that offered little value, benefitting insiders at the investors’ expense. This situation raises significant questions about whether meme coin platforms are subject to securities regulations.
**LAWSUIT ALERT**
Burwick Law and @WolfPopperLLP have filed a second federal class action lawsuit on behalf of investors against the Pump.fun platform.
Full complaint available below.
— Burwick Law (@BurwickLaw) January 30, 2025
The attorneys supporting the lawsuit contend that Pump.fun’s operations resemble typical fraudulent financial schemes. The platform’s fast-paced creation and trading of meme coins may have enabled scenarios whereby early investors profit at the expense of later ones.
This action comes on the heels of an earlier lawsuit against Pump.fun for similar allegations, suggesting a recurring theme of legal issues for the platform.
Insights from Regulators and Experts
Max Burwick, head of Burwick Law, has highlighted the inherent risks associated with meme coin platforms, asserting that they occupy a legal gray area that may see heightened enforcement soon.
With impending legal announcements, I want to make my personal position on the exploitation of memecoins widely available. Read it below. Please feel free to share! pic.twitter.com/adndcQNRxH
— Max Burwick (@burwick_max) January 15, 2025
The cryptocurrency sector is striving to minimize illegal financial conduct, so platforms like Pump.fun could face considerable pressure to adhere to existing regulations.
Groups advocating for investor protections have called for more defined regulations regarding meme coins and their classification under securities laws. Should Pump.fun be found guilty of selling unregistered securities, it might establish a precedent for other crypto platforms.
Hype or Market Manipulation in Meme Coins?
The current lawsuit also raises broader concerns regarding the nature of meme coins. For some, these represent a playful facet of the crypto landscape. However, for others, they pose risks of widespread market manipulation.
Meme coins can experience extreme volatility, resulting in significant losses for late investors, prompting critics to argue that platforms like Pump.fun thrive on fabricated hype rather than genuine value.
Featured image from CCN, chart from TradingView