In the current crypto market, token fundraising is still active even though prices and sentiment have cooled. For teams with solid fundamentals, that can actually be an advantage. When the noise drops, contributors tend to reward launches that feel clear, fair, and operationally credible.
While bear markets often slow speculative activity, many projects continue to launch tokens and secure funding, aiming to capitalise on the current active trends and market dynamics to maximise their raise. The difference is that contributors are more selective. They want to understand the mechanics, the terms, and the “why” before they commit.
This article explores how token sales are evolving in a downturn, how traditional tools like launchpads are performing, and why some teams are adopting new infrastructure to support their raises.
Fundraising in Bear Markets: What’s Different?
Token sales in a bear market are not identical to those in bull runs. In the past, teams could lean on hype, broad retail participation, and rising markets to complete large raises quickly. Today, the market is more discerning.
Liquidity levels are lower. Investors and contributors look more closely at tokenomics, vesting schedules, utility, and community engagement. High valuations without corresponding fundamentals are less likely to attract participation.
Many teams have adjusted by reducing the size of their initial raises and pacing fundraising around delivery. Instead of targeting a peak valuation early, they are aligning token distribution with product milestones and adoption.
It’s become a more accessible market for Web2 companies looking to enter Web3, as the hype surrounding memecoins is much lower, giving projects with serious substance a much bigger advantage when “Pepe” isn’t dominating headlines.
The upside is simple. If you get the mechanics right, a bear market can be a strong time to launch because credibility travels further than hype.
Are Launchpads Still Effective?
Launchpads such as CoinList, Pinksale or Pump.fun once provided a streamlined way to distribute tokens and attract broad interest. They offered visibility and access to communities that could participate in early rounds.
However, launchpads have shown mixed results in the current market. Retail participation is not as strong as before, and multiple projects often compete for the same pool of attention. For teams without established audiences, relying solely on a launchpad doesn’t ensure a fully subscribed round.
Some launchpad results have highlighted challenges such as allocation congestion, bot activity, and uneven demand distribution. These issues can limit the effectiveness of launchpads as the primary fundraising method.
A more nuanced way to say it is this. Launchpads can still work, but they are no longer a substitute for demand. In risk off conditions, contributors pay more attention to fairness. If allocation feels unclear, or the sale mechanics look improvised, people walk.
If you’re considering a launchpad, don’t focus exclusively on whether you’ll get listed – pay attention to what you’ll be able to control. Because in reality, pricing, tiers, vesting, eligibility, and allocation rules often matter more than the badge.
Direct Presales and Structured Presale Models
As an alternative to traditional launchpad routes, many teams are turning to direct presale models. In this setup, a project conducts its own token sale, handling contributions directly from the community without intermediaries.
Direct presales give teams control over distribution parameters such as pricing, allocation tiers, vesting schedules, and contribution types. Projects can tailor their token economics and fundraising timeline to fit their goals.
Some structured presale frameworks also support additional features such as integrated staking, multi asset contributions, and built in allocation tracking. These elements can improve participant confidence and provide clearer incentive alignment.
This shift is not just about control. It is about trust and conversion. When contributors can see clear terms and consistent tracking in one place, it reduces uncertainty at the moment they decide whether to participate.
Why Teams Are Using Dedicated Presale Infrastructure like Web3Payments
Dedicated presale infrastructure has become a practical choice for projects looking to run more controlled token sales. Instead of building custom contracts and dashboards from scratch, or relying on shared launchpad systems, teams can use tooling designed specifically for presale flows.
Web3Payments is one such platform that teams are using to manage presale campaigns. It provides tools to handle contributions across multiple asset types, manage token allocations, and integrate staking from the outset.
By supporting a structured fundraising process, this type of infrastructure helps projects execute presales with greater technical reliability and transparency. Projects launch their raise on their own website rather than with a third party, so the source of truth lives where contributors are making the decision.
Projects can also gain support for things like card payments and multi-chain payment options, helping them capture a much larger segment of the market. Crypto native contributors are not your only audience anymore. Where compliant and available via appropriate rails and integrations, enabling fiat entry can widen participation for Web2 adjacent audiences who do not want “go buy stablecoins first” as step one.
What Tightens in Cooler Markets
When you launch a token in a bear market, the bar rises. Staking has to reward behaviour, not just parking tokens. Community updates must be specific, honest and regular, because memes alone don’t keep people around. Liquidity and unlocks have to be planned together so markets stay usable without feeling brittle. Because investors look for the same things: usage, clear utility and execution, not just a story.
Outlook for Token Launches
While the crypto bear market presents challenges for token fundraising, projects continue to innovate in how they raise capital. Structured presales, staking integration, community engagement, and tailored liquidity strategies are all part of how teams are adapting.
The broader pattern is clear. Token launches are maturing. If you design mechanics that reduce friction and increase trust, a cooler market can be a smart time to launch because contributors are paying attention to execution.
If you want a broader view of where these trends may be heading next, it’s worth tracking how distribution models and contributor expectations continue to evolve.
