Pump.fun’s livestream feature is spiraling into chaos. What was supposed to be a groundbreaking tool for crypto creators has become a stage for horrifying threats and unthinkable violence.
Users desperate to pump their meme coins are streaming extreme acts, from threats of self-harm to actual violence, to manipulate their token market caps. What’s worse? The platform seems unprepared — or, quite frankly, unwilling — to do anything about it.
It started with a viral post on X from Beau Security. “Hey @pumpdotfun,” the post read, “there is currently someone using your livestreams to threaten to hang themselves if the coin does not reach a set market cap. Absolutely heinous, and it needs to come down + see if you can get them help. Shut down the livestream feature. This is out of control.”
The post struck a nerve in the crypto community. ZachXBT, the on-chain investigator, weighed in, calling it “wild how the people creating these coins barely take any measures to mask their identity.”
Alongside these comments, viewers shared disturbing images from Pump.fun streams, each more chilling than the last. If this gets any more out of hand, I’d imagine this would be Gary Gensler:
Live streams or live nightmares?
One stream showed a blurred-out video of a school shooting in progress. The user, who went by “🐸 6h6fLM,” had set a market cap goal of $7,100. With 14 replies under the stream, people were reacting in shock — or worse, egging them on.
The platform’s livestream chat was buzzing with horrifying engagement, and Pump.fun’s moderation team was nowhere to be found. There are women having sex with animals, there are kids having sex with each other, and there are people doing all kinds of illegal drugs.
Another stream showed a young boy, likely no older than 12, screaming into the camera. He held a shotgun and promised to kill his entire family if his token didn’t hit a $60,000 market cap. The stream was widely shared, with one tweeting, “Are you horrified right now and don’t understand how this is possible? That’s not the scary part yet.”
Things only got darker. In one live video, a young couple punched their toddler in the face every four minutes. They claimed they would stop the abuse once their token reached a $15,000 market cap.
At the time of the stream, the token’s cap was $8,278, and comments rolled in as viewers watched in real time. The livestream graphic “LIVE” hovered in the corner of the screen like a haunting stamp of approval.
Another streamer took it a step further. This time, the victim wasn’t a person but a dog. A man pointed a gun at his pet, claiming he’d shoot the dog unless his token hit an $11 million market cap. Altcoin Gordon tweeted about the stream, attaching a screenshot showing a red laser dot aimed at the dog.
“He said he’ll shoot his dog if his meme coin doesn’t hit an $11M market cap,” Gordon wrote, alongside a crying emoji. The stream also showed a “bonding curve progress” bar at 63%, as though gamifying the threat.
From innovation to mayhem
The livestream feature launched in May, marketed as a revolutionary way to connect token creators with their audiences. It allowed creators to hype their coins in real-time, answer questions, and engage directly with their communities.
Gamification was baked into the experience, offering rewards for participation and creating a sense of urgency around token launches.
At first, it seemed like an innovative way to merge SocialFi and meme coin culture. Streams were often paired with new token launches, giving creators a platform to promote their projects.
The platform’s gamified features, which were meant to make live streaming engaging, now act as fuel for manipulation.
What’s at stake for the industry?
Pump.fun’s livestream chaos isn’t just a PR disaster for the platform, it’s a problem for the entire crypto industry. Incidents like these feed into the mainstream narrative that crypto is unregulated, dangerous, and morally bankrupt.
It gives regulators like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) all the ammo they need to crack down on the industry. The lawmakers in Congress who don’t like the industry will get their moment and likely fire up a bill before Trump actually takes office. Or even after. This is a democracy, after all.
These incidents reinforce the perception that crypto is a lawless Wild West, where anything goes as long as there’s profit to be made. For an industry trying to gain mainstream acceptance, this could be a massive setback for us.
Then there’s the issue of market manipulation. Pump.fun’s livestream feature is the perfect tool for “pump and dump” schemes. Creators inflate their token prices through sensational livestreams, then sell off their holdings, leaving investors to deal with the crash.
The outrage online is palpable. Tweets, screenshots, and videos are circulating widely, forcing even those who avoid meme coin drama to pay attention. Crypto watchdogs, influencers, and everyday users are all asking the same question: How did it get this bad?
One major sticking point is Pump.fun’s apparent lack of safeguards. Livestreams on social media platforms like Twitch or YouTube are subject to strict moderation policies, automated systems, and manual oversight. Pump.fun, by comparison, appears to have none of that in place.
Harmful content is allowed to fester until someone reports it—and even then, the response is sluggish. Some creators are using this as an opportunity to criticize the entire meme coin ecosystem. They argue that the race for fast profits has created an environment where anything goes.
Not everyone is ready to give up on the feature though. Many in the community believe it can still be salvaged with significant changes. Proposals include real-time moderation teams, stricter content guidelines, and penalties for creators who violate the rules.
These solutions would require huge investment from Pump.fun, and so far, the platform hasn’t indicated in any way that it’s willing to make that commitment. Banning it altogether might be the only way out of this.
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