Chapter 2 · Basics: Check a Token Before You BuyLesson 7 of 16
2.7
Sniper
± 3 min read 4 sections 3 images
A new token just launched, but part of the is already held by that bought within seconds. They're called .
Section 1 / 4
What is a Sniper?
According to GMGN, a sniper is a wallet that buys in the first few blocks after trading opens, usually with a bot. They get the cheapest price and are ready to sell to the buyers who come later.
Section 2 / 4
How to check
- On GMGN, look at the Snipers number on the token's metrics card.
Copycat token FTR ( Afkbv7…): ① Snipers 63.84% in red, ② 100%, even though Top 10, NoMint, and Burnt look green. GMGN screenshot (Oct 2026). Token is only an example, not a recommendation. - In the tab, look at the top wallets. Sniper wallets are marked with a crosshair icon next to their address; hover over the icon and the tooltip says "Sniper" (example in the second image below). Note: the Filter Wallet popup (the filter icon in the Wallet column header) has no Sniper option, so look for the icon by scrolling the Holders tab, and keep using the Snipers % number on the metrics card plus the column as your guide. Check the Bought / Sold and Remaining columns: are they still holding or have they sold?
Holders tab of the same copycat token: ① Bought / Sold, ② Remaining, ③ Funding 9SB8…5HsW shows up on two holders. GMGN screenshot (Oct 2026). Token is only an example, not a recommendation. 
Real example, token Hilton: ① hover over the crosshair icon next to wallet BZFe…3pA6 and the tooltip "Sniper" appears. That's the Sniper icon on a wallet row. ② The total held by snipers is on the right panel (here Snipers 2.97%), and the number can change fast on new tokens. Not a prediction. GMGN screenshot (checked Oct 18, 2026, logged out), numbers at the time of checking. Token is only an example, not a recommendation. - Check the snipers' funding (lesson 2.6): were they funded from the same source? Example in the image above: two holders have the same 9SB8…5HsW in their Funding column (red text).
Section 3 / 4
Green flags & Red flags
Green flags
- A small sniper share, or most of them have already exited.
Red flags
- Snipers still hold a big share, were funded from the same source, or are linked to the .
Note (the author's experience): lots of snipers doesn't always mean danger. Sometimes a token with lots of snipers still runs. It all depends on the context, so check it alongside other indicators.
Summary
Summary
Summary
- Sniper = a wallet that buys in the first few blocks after trading opens, usually with a bot.
- Check the Snipers number on the metrics card, the crosshair icon in the Holders tab, and their funding (lesson 2.6).
- Snipers are normal on new tokens. The dangerous case: a big share, still holding, and linked to each other. Big snipers = bigger of a fast sell-off, not that the token can't .
Section 4 / 4
Common mistakes
- Looking for a Sniper option in the Filter Wallet popup. There isn't one, so scroll the Holders tab.
- Skipping every token that has snipers without looking at the context. Sometimes a token with lots of snipers still runs.
- Forgetting to check whether those snipers were funded from the same source.
Lots of snipers isn't always dangerous, but the risk still has to be measured. Go in with a cool head, not greed.
Next up, lesson 2.8: .
Not financial advice.
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