Key Takeaways
Solana-based meme coin launchpad Pump.fun will introduce USDC pairings for all new token launches beginning May 21, a strategic shift aimed at increasing trading volume and accessibility on the platform. The update allows users to purchase new meme coins directly with the Circle-issued stablecoin, removing the need to first acquire Solana (SOL).
The change was confirmed in a platform announcement on May 19. The move is expected to lower the barrier to entry for users, potentially boosting liquidity for the thousands of meme coins launched daily on the service. This follows a recent resumption of SOL sales by the platform, with on-chain data provider Lookonchain reporting that Pump.fun recently deposited 174,408 SOL ($14.76 million) to the Kraken exchange.
According to Lookonchain, a wallet associated with the platform subsequently sold 117,877 SOL for 9.96 million USDC. This is part of a larger pattern of sales, with the platform having sold a total of 4.19 million SOL worth approximately $757 million between May 2024 and August 2025. The introduction of direct USDC pairs could reduce the platform's need to hold and sell large quantities of SOL in the future.
By enabling direct USDC transactions, Pump.fun is looking to capture a larger share of the significant on-chain activity on Solana, which recorded $1.1 trillion in total economic activity in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from Artemis. Notably, stablecoin transfers accounted for $832.7 billion, or 76%, of that total, indicating a strong existing user preference for stablecoin-denominated transactions that this new feature directly addresses. The move aims to fuel more speculative trading, even as the underlying SOL token has seen its price decline 26% year-to-date.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
