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Chapter 2 · Basics: Check a Token Before You BuyLesson 14 of 16
2.14

1-Minute Checklist Before Entry

± 6 min read 7 sections 1 image

All the Basic checks, summed up as a quick checklist before .
No single indicator is absolute. This checklist is meant to minimize , not to find tokens that will . A red metric doesn't mean a token is bad or can't go up, and all green isn't a guarantee it will go up or that the risk is small. Look at the big picture and manage your risk.

Check flowCheck a token in 4 steps
  1. 1
    Contract safety
    NoMintNo BlacklistLP Burnt

    Anything red? Skip and move on to another token.

  2. 2
    distribution
    Top 10DevSniperBundlerBubble mapFunding / TF

    Big or holdings? Size down or skip.

  3. 3
    , chart & socials
    Total Fee vs MCDex PaidPhishing

    Fee far below the guide or a chart that's too neat? Be careful.

  4. 4
    Position plan

    Decide your position size, , and . Then click Buy.

No single indicator is absolute. This checklist is for reducing risk, not for guessing which token will pump.
Section 1 / 7

Before you start

  • The right , from an official source (not from DMs or comments). (lesson 1.4, Account Security)
  • Open the token on GMGN. Almost all the data is on one page. The numbers ① to ⑦ in the Where (GMGN) column of the tables below = the numbers on the token page map: ① metrics card, ② Info, ③ Total Fees / header, ④ Holders tab, ⑤ Trades tab, ⑥ Bubble icon, ⑦ Funding / column.
GMGN token page map (example token FTR): ① metrics card, ② DEV Info, ③ MC / Total Fees header, ④ Holders tab, ⑤ Trades tab, ⑥ Bubble icon, ⑦ Funding / TF Amount column. GMGN screenshot (Oct 2026). Token is only an example, not a recommendation.
GMGN token page map (example token FTR): ① metrics card, ② DEV Info, ③ MC / Total Fees header, ④ Holders tab, ⑤ Trades tab, ⑥ Bubble icon, ⑦ Funding / TF Amount column. GMGN screenshot (Oct 2026). Token is only an example, not a recommendation.
Section 2 / 7

Contract safety (red = usually an instant skip)

CheckWhere (GMGN)Lower riskBe carefulLesson
① Token metrics card (NoMint)Green: the dev can't mint new coinsRed: the dev can still mint and then 2.1
① Metrics card (No )Green: your can't be frozenRed: it can be frozen, and you can't sell ()2.2
① Metrics card (Burnt)100%. pump.fun tokens: still on the = no LP yet (funds are in the bonding curve); bonded = LP burned automaticallyLow: the dev can pull from the pool2.3
Section 3 / 7

Holder distribution

CheckWhere (GMGN)Lower riskBe carefulLesson
① Metrics card (Top 10), double-check in the ④ Holders tabBelow 30% (the course's guide), varied holdersAbove 30% is riskier, but not an absolute rule2.4
① DEV + ② DEV InfoSmall DEV %, clean dev historyThe dev often does Sell All / Transferred. A dev sell on a meme coin usually isn't a big deal; on a tech coin it's more often a red flag2.5
⑦ Funding / TF Amount column, far right of the ④ Holders tabVaried sources, different times, funded long agoLots of top holders from the same wallet, almost the same time, similar amounts2.6
① Metrics card () + labels in the ④ Holders tabA small share, or already exitedA big share, still holding, one funding source. Lots of snipers doesn't always mean danger2.7
① Metrics card () + ⑤ Trades tabSmall, or still holding and holding the floorBig and still holding; same timing, fees, and amounts in the Trades tab. The number can be inflated (bots in the same block), so /Funding2.8
⑥ Bubble icon in the tab rowSmall clusters, mostly grayRough estimate: clusters at 5 to 10% be careful, above 10% high risk. Ask: "if this cluster sells everything, am I ready for that?" A cluster isn't necessarily one person (having transferred to each other ≠ one owner), so cross-check Funding2.9
① Metrics card (, )SmallBig : lots of in wallets that got the token through transfers, not buys. Cross-check Bubblemaps, Bundler, Funding2.13
Section 4 / 7

Volume & chart

CheckWhere (GMGN)Lower riskBe carefulLesson
③ Token header (Total Fees / F icon)Around 1:10,000 or more (the course's guide)Far below the guide. Exception: new pairs with heavy volume in the first few minutes2.10
The token chartNormal ups and downs, with pullbacksClimbing like a staircase or too neatly = suspect fake volume ()2.12
Section 5 / 7

Socials

CheckWhere (GMGN)Lower riskBe carefulLesson
① Metrics card ()The DexScreener profile has been paid forNot yet. Remember: Paid is only a paid profile, no guarantee the risk is small2.11
Social links in the token headerReal, active accounts, and the CA matches the officially shared oneNew/empty accounts, "guaranteed 100x" promises, a different CA2.11
Section 6 / 7

Quick order

The 30%, 1:10,000, and cluster numbers are this course's guides/estimates, not hard rules.
Want to see this checklist used on a real token? Real examples are in lesson 2.15 (DOPE: lots of red flags, still pumped) and lesson 2.16 (HeyGrok: mostly green, still dumped).

Summary

Summary

Summary
  • Quick order: contract safety first (red = high risk, usually skip), then holder distribution, then , the chart, and socials.
  • Decide your position size, take profit, and cut loss before you click Buy (lesson 3.3, RR matters more than ).
  • The 30%, 1:10,000, and cluster numbers are the course's guides, not hard rules. Even a low-risk checklist result is no guarantee of profit, but this checklist keeps you out of a lot of traps.
Section 7 / 7

Common mistakes

  • Skipping steps because you're afraid of missing out.
  • Carrying on even though something in contract safety is already red.
  • Clicking Buy first, and only then thinking about when to take profit and cut loss.
  • Treating the checklist result as a price prediction. Red doesn't mean it will definitely fail to pump, and all green can still dump.

Next up, lesson 2.15: Walkthrough: Checking 1 Token from Start to Finish (DOPE).
Not financial advice.

Practice: How Risky Is It?8 sample token profiles · rate their risk level with this checklist

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