Launching a crypto token today is both easier and more complex than ever before. Shane Molidor, founder of Forgd, says that success depends on mastering the science behind token launches — a challenge his platform is built to solve.
“Platforms like pump.fun have lowered the barrier to launch, especially for memecoins,” Molidor explained in an interview with CoinDesk. “But launching a utility token that truly thrives is tougher than ever due to limited investor attention and finite capital pools.”
Forgd provides blockchain projects with free software tools to craft tokenomics, coordinate with market makers, manage exchange listings, and set valuations at launch. Post-launch, Forgd’s analytics help projects track market maker activities, monitor token unlocks, and optimize demand drivers.
Beyond software, Forgd offers advisory services for larger projects and has developed a portal for token advisory firms and market makers to transparently manage deal flows and monitor performance.
Since its inception, more than 1,500 projects have experimented with Forgd’s platform. Serious “blue chip” projects—those with major venture backing and token listings exceeding $100 million in value—often combine Forgd’s tools with external advisory support.
Molidor emphasizes that many leading tokens launched via Forgd, although specific names remain confidential. His mission is to demystify and standardize the token go-to-market process, recognizing that many crypto innovators lack deep expertise in market microstructure.
Data at the Core
Forgd’s recommendations rely on extensive data analysis. The firm reviews recent token launches, identifying common factors among high performers. Metrics such as token distribution, emissions, launch-day pricing, market cap, and trading volumes are evaluated.
Market maker performance is also a key focus: Forgd assesses their share of order books, execution rates, and bid-ask spreads to help projects select reliable partners.
Because crypto markets rapidly evolve, Forgd continuously updates its data with each new launch. While mostly working with crypto-native firms, the company is increasingly engaging with institutional investors seeking to understand token launch mechanics.
A Flawed Launch Landscape
Molidor argues that today’s launch models—with inflated initial valuations and long-term inflationary token emissions—are unsustainable. Early hype fades quickly as investor attention shifts.
He also highlights how initial price pops are often artificially created by exchanges or market makers, limiting a project’s control over its token’s market behavior.
A frequent mistake projects make is mismanaging relationships with market makers, sometimes incentivizing price pumps that can hurt token stability.
Molidor sees hope in mechanisms designed to support sustained demand after launch. Unlike traditional IPOs with underwriters ensuring institutional demand, token launches typically depend on speculative retail buyers.
To counter this, he suggests structuring investments so institutions commit only part of their capital at launch, reserving the rest for supporting secondary markets. He also predicts the rise of on-chain incentives—like token or stablecoin yields—that encourage continued buy-side demand.
“DeFi transformed liquidity provision, and I expect on-chain demand incentives will revolutionize token launches similarly,” Molidor concluded, “helping projects create long-term value beyond initial hype.”
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