CoinMarketCap launches CMC Launch — a platform for early-stage crypto projects

Crypto market data aggregator CoinMarketCap has announced the launch of a new platform — CMC Launch, an incubator for promising crypto projects that have yet to be listed. The initiative aims to give users early access to tokens before they debut on exchanges and to provide tools for projects to attract an initial audience.

CMC Enters the Web3 Incubation Space

CMC Launch marks a shift in CoinMarketCap’s role — from a data aggregator to an active market participant. The platform enters a competitive field already populated by Pump.fun from Solana, SpringBoard from PancakeSwap, and LaunchLab from Raydium.

«CMC Launch will help projects find their audience, and users discover tokens before they’re listed,» said CoinMarketCap CEO Rush Lu.

First Project: The Aster Decentralized Exchange

The first project to launch on the platform is Aster, a DEX supporting BNB Chain and Arbitrum. It offers non-custodial trading, staking, and perpetual futures. The project already boasts over 524,000 users, a TVL of more than $13.6 million, and a trading volume of $360 million. Backers include YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs).

Users can participate in an AST token airdrop by following Aster’s social media accounts and visiting the token giveaway page. The campaign runs through May 31, 2025.

More Projects to Follow

After launching Aster, the CoinMarketCap team plans to continue scouting new crypto projects prior to their TGE. This creates a new funnel for onboarding Web3 startups and gives early access to CoinMarketCap’s 70 million monthly active users.