Why Audit matter on launchpads

audit

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, launchpads have become pivotal platforms for introducing new projects to investors through Initial DEX Offerings (IDOs), Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), or other token sale mechanisms. A critical component of these platforms is the Project Audit, a metric that evaluates the quality, security, and potential of projects before they go live.

What is a New Project Audit Score?

A Project Audit is a standardized evaluation that launchpads use to assess the credibility and viability of new blockchain projects. It serves as a trust indicator for investors, helping them gauge the risks associated with investing in a token sale. The score typically encompasses several key areas:

  • Smart Contract Security: Audits of the project’s codebase to identify vulnerabilities, bugs, or potential exploits. Automated tools like Solidproof’s Auto Audit or manual audits by firms like CertiK are commonly used.
  • Team Credibility: Verification of the project team’s background, experience, and transparency, often including KYC (Know Your Customer) checks.
  • Tokenomics: Analysis of the token’s supply, distribution model, vesting schedules, and economic sustainability to ensure fairness and long-term value.
  • Project Viability: Evaluation of the project’s roadmap, use case, market fit, and technical feasibility.
  • Community and Social Influence: Assessment of the project’s online presence, community engagement, and marketing strategy, which can impact adoption and token performance.

These components are weighted and often presented as a numerical value, percentage, or tier to guide investors.

Why Audit Matter

Audit plays a crucial role in the crypto launchpad ecosystem for several reasons:

  • Investor Protection: With the rise of rug pulls and scams, particularly on decentralized exchange (DEX) launchpads like Pump.fun, audit scores help filter out low-quality or fraudulent projects. 
  • Market Confidence: A transparent and rigorous audit process boosts investor trust in the launchpad and its projects, encouraging participation in token sales.
  • Performance Indicator: Historical data from launchpads like MEXC shows that projects with high audit scores often deliver better returns. For instance, MEXC’s 2025 report noted an average peak ROI of 10.83x for its top five projects in H1 2025, reflecting strong vetting processes.
  • Regulatory Compliance: As regulatory scrutiny increases, audited projects are better positioned to meet compliance standards, reducing legal risks for both developers and investors.

Current Trends in Audit 

The crypto launchpad landscape is dynamic, with audit reflecting broader market trends:

  • Rise of Automated Audits: Tools like Solidproof’s Auto Audit are gaining traction for their speed and reliability, enabling launchpads to process more projects efficiently. This is particularly important for DEX launchpads, where high project volume increases scam risks.
  • CEX vs. DEX Launchpads: Centralized exchange (CEX) launchpads like MEXC, Bybit, and Gate.io enforce stricter audits, often resulting in higher scores and better ROI (e.g., Bybit’s Xterio at 14.71x). DEX launchpads, while more accessible, face challenges with low-quality projects, leading to inconsistent scores.
  • Focus on Tokenomics: Investors are increasingly wary of projects with high Fully Diluted Valuations (FDVs) and low circulating supplies, which can lead to price dumps. Audit scores now heavily weight sustainable tokenomics, as seen in projects like Bittensor (TAO) and Fetch.ai (FET).
  • AI-Powered Audits: With AI tokens like TAO and FET trending, some launchpads are integrating AI-driven auditing tools to enhance accuracy and detect sophisticated exploits.
  • Social Sentiment on X: X posts often highlight audit scores for new projects, with community-driven discussions shaping perceptions. For example, tokens like AI16z and GOAT have gained traction partly due to X buzz, but investors are cautioned to verify scores independently.

Conclusion

Project audits are a cornerstone of the crypto launchpad ecosystem, ensuring that new projects meet high standards of security, credibility, and viability. By evaluating smart contracts, tokenomics, team transparency, and community engagement, audits protect investors and foster market trust.However, investors must remain vigilant, conducting their own research to validate scores and avoid overhyped projects.