Building for Millions: What the Biggest Memecoin Platforms Can Teach Us About User Needs
Software that solves real problems is software that grows. The best way to find those problems isn’t through brainstorming sessions or wild guesses—it’s by listening. Across over 240,000 messages from two of the largest memecoin platforms, Pump.fun and GraFun, a single truth emerged: the frustrations users share most often are the clearest blueprints for building products they’ll love.
Paul Graham often says the best startup ideas solve problems the founders themselves feel acutely. Naval Ravikant talks about leverage: doing more with less by focusing on the essential. Between these two philosophies lies the simplest path to success in software—find the need and fill it. The combined data from these platforms reveals the same. It’s not glamorous, but the answers are in the complaints.
The Data Speaks: What Users Want
When I first analyzed Pump.fun’s 220,000 messages, the patterns were clear: users wrestle with tracking tokens, troubleshooting transactions, recovering wallets, and understanding trading mechanics. Then came GraFun’s 20,000 messages. Despite some platform-specific nuances, the core needs echoed loud and clear: nearly 200,000 mentions of general help and support, over 140,000 mentions about buying, selling, and tracking tokens, 50,500 mentions about wallet recovery, 32,600 mentions of failed or stuck transactions, and close to 13,000 mentions of slippage problems.
Users want simplicity. They want tools that save time, reduce risk, and provide clarity. Above all, they want solutions that meet them where they are—confused, anxious, and often overwhelmed.
Here’s how those needs break down across both platforms:
General help and support: Nearly 200,000 messages revealed the need for better guidance.
Token guidance: Over 140,000 mentions of buying, selling, and tracking token portfolios.
Wallet recovery: Nearly 51,000 mentions of lost access or private key fears.
Transaction troubleshooting: About 32,600 mentions of failed or stuck transactions.
Slippage problems: Over 13,000 mentions, a seemingly niche but frustrating issue.
Each message isn’t just data—it’s a plea for help, an expression of frustration, and, most importantly, an opportunity to build. Here’s how these pain points translate into products that can thrive on platforms like Pump.fun, GraFun, or beyond.
10 Products That Solve Real Problems
1. Token Portfolio Tracker
The most frequent frustration users voice is tracking their holdings across multiple wallets and platforms. A tool that aggregates token balances into one clean dashboard could alleviate a massive source of stress.
• “I have tokens scattered everywhere. Is there a way to track all my holdings in one place?”
• “Does anyone know of a portfolio tracker? I keep losing track of where I hold everything.”
2. Transaction Troubleshooter
Failed transactions aren’t just inconvenient—they’re anxiety-inducing. A tool that diagnoses issues in real time and provides actionable fixes could save users countless hours and headaches.
• “My tokens are stuck in the transaction queue. What should I do?”
• “Failed again. Why does the error say ‘insufficient gas’ when I’ve already added more?”
• “Can support help me fix this transaction? I’ve lost funds trying to retry.”
3. Wallet Recovery Tool
The fear of losing wallet access or private keys is universal. A toolkit for secure recovery, paired with better user education, could address one of the most persistent anxieties in crypto.
• “I lost my wallet’s private key. Is there any way to recover my tokens?”
• “My wallet isn’t connecting anymore. Did I lose everything?”
• “How do I back up my wallet safely? I’m worried about losing access.”
4. Slippage Rate Optimizer
Slippage might seem like a niche concern, but to traders, it’s a significant pain point. A tool that calculates the ideal slippage rate for trades would not only save money but also reduce confusion.
• “What slippage rate do I set? I keep getting errors when trading.”
• “Why does it say ‘insufficient output’ when I clearly set slippage high enough?”
• “Is there a way to know the ideal slippage percentage? It’s so confusing.”
5. Pump Alerts
Missed opportunities are a trader’s nightmare. A notification system for token price movements—customizable by threshold or token—would be indispensable for active users.
• “I missed the pump because I wasn’t checking my wallet. Is there a way to get alerts?”
• “Can we have a feature that notifies us when a token pumps by 10% or more?”
• “I wish I got notified before the dump started. It’s hard to time these trades.”
6. Community Voting App
Users crave involvement in decisions that affect them. A decentralized voting system could empower them to propose changes, vote on features, and collectively shape platform updates.
• “Why doesn’t the community get to vote on these updates? It feels like decisions are made without us.”
• “Can we propose changes or improvements? A voting system would be awesome.”
• “We need a decentralized way to decide on slippage limits or token features.”
7. Educational Platform
New users feel overwhelmed by technical jargon and complex processes. A platform with tutorials, FAQs, and beginner-friendly guides could onboard users more effectively.
• “What does slippage mean? I’m new, and I have no idea what I’m doing.”
• “Is there a beginner’s guide for using this platform? It’s confusing for first-timers.”
• “I don’t understand half the terms people are using here. Can someone explain?”
8. Referral Rewards System
Users want to be rewarded for growing the community. A referral system offering token-based incentives could align growth with user engagement.
• “Why isn’t there a referral system? I’d invite more people if there were rewards.”
• “Other platforms offer tokens for referrals. We should do the same.”
• “I convinced three friends to join, but there’s no recognition for it. Feels like a missed opportunity.”
9. Leaderboard Stats
Gamification can transform routine interactions into competitive challenges. A leaderboard showcasing top traders or most profitable trades could drive engagement.
• “It would be fun to see a leaderboard of the top traders or biggest gains.”
• “Can we have some stats on who’s doing the best trades? Like a weekly top 10?”
• “A ranking system would make trading more exciting. Imagine competing for the top spot!”
10. Price Impact Estimator
Unexpected losses from price impacts during trades are frustratingly common. A tool that estimates potential losses before executing a trade could save users from unpleasant surprises.
• “I didn’t realize my trade would move the price so much. Lost a lot on that one.”
• “Why isn’t there a tool to warn us about price impact before trading?”
• “I made a trade and ended up losing more tokens than I expected. Can someone explain how this happens?”
Lessons from the Crowd
The clearest insight from these messages is this: users are practical. They’re not asking for revolutionary features or groundbreaking ideas. They want simple tools that work—tools that solve problems without adding new complexities.
The secret to building for millions isn’t inventing needs; it’s meeting them. By solving the problems users already articulate, platforms like Pump.fun and GraFun can transform frustrations into growth engines. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the foundation of every great product.
Success isn’t about the loudest idea.
It’s about listening to the quietest complaints and building for them.
— FS