Only 6 token sales since 2025 have yielded positive returns – the rest have been “loss-making”.
I just reviewed the ROI data for token sales on CoinList, Legion, MetaDAO, and BuildPad (data updated as of March 31, 2026, from Messari and the platforms). The results are truly thought-provoking: only 6 projects generated positive returns. Dozens of others had negative returns, many as low as -75% to -98%.
Looking at the chart, you'll immediately see the bleak picture: only 6 token sales had positive ROI.
- OMFG (
@omnipair - MetaDAO): ROI exceeding 120%
- AVICI (
@AviciMoney- MetaDAO): ROI around 65%
- FF (
@falconfinance- BuildPad): ROI around 56%
- UMBRA(
@UmbraPrivacy), 2Z(
@doublezero), and RNGR(
@ranger_finance): still positive, but at a more modest level.
Then came a prolonged "red ocean": a series of token sales plummeted, with consistently negative return on investment (ROI) ranging from -10% to -98%.
Results on CoinList, Legion, MetaDAO, and BuildPad show that no launchpad platform escaped the general trend. Most projects failed to maintain their price after listing.
The real meaning behind the numbers:
I think this isn't just random luck. This is the clear result of a saturated market with infrastructure, with too many tokens being issued without a real product-market fit.
> Most token sales were just "hype airdrop": The development team raised capital, launched the token, the community FOMO bought in, and then the price continuously dropped due to a lack of real demand, revenue, and users. As a result, small investors suffered losses.
> Launchpad platforms are no longer the "magic" they once were: CoinList, Legion, MetaDAO, and BuildPad were once reliable platforms, but data shows that even the projects they chose largely failed. This reflects reality: transaction quality is plummeting, or the market is too difficult for any token sale to sustain momentum after listing.
> The network effect is becoming increasingly concentrated: As I often say, money and users are flocking to a few places that truly have PMF (Solana, Base, Hyperliquid…). New chains and tokens compete for the same pool of TVL, miners, and farmers. As a result, most are dying out.
My lesson learned:
If you still think "selling tokens = easy money," this chart is the strongest warning sign from the beginning of 2026 to date. I recommend you:
> Only invest in projects with real revenue, real users, and real usage before considering selling tokens.
> Avoid FOMO (fear of missing out) on every launchpad deal just because of its "reputable platform." Data has proven: reputation doesn't protect you from an 80% return on investment.
In short, the token sale market since 2025 is showing a harsh truth: cryptocurrency is no longer a "win-win" situation. Only projects that truly solve problems, create value, and retain users can survive.
Do you currently hold any token sale deals from 2025 to now?