A platform based on memes and cryptos has turned into chaos because of live broadcasts. PumpFun, which allows everyone to create their own meme corner, found itself at the heart of a controversy due to a lack of livestreaming moderation. Quickly, the retransmissions went into a tailspin.
When you come across the home page for the first time, you have the impression at first glance of coming across a typical website from the 90s: messy animations, flashy colors and numerous absurd or crazy designs. Still, PumpFun is a very new space: it debuted in January 2024.
This eccentric aesthetic, quite far from the canons of current layouts, is however not surprising: PumpFun is a platform which has launched into the niche of “cryptomemes” – these crypto-currencies which revolve around Internet memes, the best known certainly being Dogecoin (DOGE).
From its very first message, PumpFun has focused on this very relaxed atmosphere, playing with internet codes. On January 11, the website accompanied its launch announcement with a typical meme image — here, a cute little creature that constantly repeats “ I will pump it so hard » (« I’m going to push him/her so hard »).
This notion of pump is also found in the name of PumpFun (while the .fun extension again refers to the notion of meme, to illustrate the fun side of the platform). This is also a common expression in the crypto world: it designates a cryptocurrency that is suddenly rising sharply, for one reason or another.
There is, however, another, darker scenario, in which the pump can be cited: that of pump & dump.
We then speak of organized manipulation. In this case, it is a question of raising the price sharply, in order to push newcomers to buy the trending crypto, so as not to miss the train. The precursors then sell their shares that they initially bought at a low price to these later buyers, which allows them to make a capital gain on their back.
So this is the environment that PumpFun offers: memes (the platform’s X account is overflowing with it) and crypto (here, it’s all about Solanaa name which refers to both an electronic currency and a blockchain competing with Ethereum). But it is also a participatory service, which is the key to its success. You can start your own meme corner.
« Meet Pump: launch a currency that can be traded instantly without having to inject liquidity. Choose a name, abbreviation, image and instantly start chatting “, could we read in the announcement message, adding that “ it will forever change the way currencies are launched ».
Promise kept? Officially launched on January 19, 2024, the PumpFun platform has recently hit the headlines.
The reason? The release of a feature at the end of May: live broadcasts. “ Livestreaming is now available on PumpFun », congratulated the service on social networks. But that was without counting Internet users, who largely abused the functionality to display anything and everything, sometimes beyond the legality.
The total drift of live broadcasts on PumpFun
Almost six months later, there will be no live broadcast until further notice. This is whatannounced PumpFun on November 25 in a surprisingly very sober message, which contrasts with the crazy environment in which the service was placed. No jokes, no memes and, above all, no possibility of responding.
You have to go directly to the platform to understand the ins and outs of this decision.
« To ensure the absolute safety of our users, we will be suspending live streaming functionality on the site indefinitely, until the moderation infrastructure is ready to handle the increased activity levels », is it explained. For the moment, no forecast date has been given.
« In order to ensure the absolute safety of our users, we will be suspending the live streaming functionality”
PumpFun
Will she ever even come back? That remains to be seen. We have indeed noticed that these directs have led to a significant drift on the part of Internet users visibly ready to do anything to ensure the pump of their currency. This is what shows in particular DNA in its November 25 edition. Very quickly, lives went off in all directions.
The examples unearthed by our colleagues are eloquent: a young man who organizes a marathon sitting on the toilet bowl and who does not come out of the toilet; a rooster being decapitated live; Internet users who say they are going to commit suicide; a woman practicing zoophilia; death threats; hanging scenes; immolations…
It is an understatement to say that the livestreaming functionality has gone into a tailspin, due to the lure of profit and the mirage of quick enrichment. This is like memes that are successful, because they succeed in grabbing the public’s attention. To interest Internet users and get their same coin off the ground, these cryptonauts are breaking down many barriers.
Hence the intervention, some would say late, of PumpFun – especially since the platform has also started to be used by children. In principle, if live broadcasting returns, it will be done with a framework of moderation – this was non-existent until now, which has led to excesses and reprehensible practices.
Without directly mentioning these scenes which were shown on video, PumpFun nevertheless recognized, not without euphemism, “ that recent events on our platform’s live streams have raised concerns “. And to add that the site regrets “ to learn some of the experiences users have had ».
A tone today that is light years away from that which the platform still adopted on November 22 regarding livestreaming. PumpFun even played with it with an image supposed to show “ 4 Easy Ideas You Can Try as a New Creator on PumpFun »: rudeness, crimes, exhibitionism and heaviness.
Source: www.numerama.com
