Uniswap CEO: Controversial Token Launches Are Intentional, Not Mistakes

Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams has sparked debate in the crypto space by stating that controversial token launches are often intentional rather than accidental. His remarks follow the rise of questionable meme coins like LIBRA, MELANIA, and TRUMP, which have faced accusations of price manipulation, centralization, and pump-and-dump schemes. In a post on X (Twitter), Adams suggested that flawed token launches are usually planned, not mistakes. "It’s not that hard to do a good/fair token issuance. So if a token launch is messed up, it’s probably by design," he wrote. This statement implies that some projects deliberately take advantage of investors rather than making errors. One of the most notorious recent cases is the LIBRA meme coin, which was linked to Argentine President Javier Milei . The token initially surged in value, attracting many investors, but later crashed, leaving around 40,000 people with financial losses. Although Milei denied personal involvement, blockchain investigations suggest otherwise. Reports indicate the LIBRA team had previously attempted similar schemes in Nigeria. Other meme coin launches have raised similar concerns. The MELANIA token, associated with former US First Lady Melania Trump , rapidly reached a $2 billion market cap before collapsing. Blockchain analysis revealed that wallets connected to LIBRA were also behind MELANIA, strengthening allegations of coordinated manipulation. Likewise, the TRUMP token followed a similar pattern, gaining value before facing accusations of insider trading and fraud. Investigations found that only 40 wallets controlled most of the supply of TRUMP and MELANIA, fueling worries about price manipulation and lack of decentralization. In response to these issues, many in the Web3 community have demanded clearer guidelines and better practices for token launches. Some argue that serious projects should ensure fairness by using auction-based sales and locking liquidity . One user asked Adams if a guide exists on how to launch tokens safely without sniping and unfair advantages. Others pointed out that Uniswap itself has not done enough to prevent exploitative practices. Criticism was also directed at Uniswap’s governance token, UNI. While Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX), its token is mainly traded on centralized exchanges (CEXs). Some called this ironic, with one user stating, “We end up with the world’s biggest DEX token mostly traded on CEXes: Uniswap can’t even capture its own UNI volume.” Adams’ remarks have intensified discussions about transparency and fairness in crypto. Many argue that platforms like Uniswap should take more steps to prevent unfair launches and protect investors. One critic accused Adams of hypocrisy, stating that Uniswap could have created a fair launchpad with locked liquidity but never did. The controversy continues as the crypto community debates the future of ethical token launches.