PumpFun, the largest token launch platform in the crypto space, has relaunched its live streaming feature. What impact will this have on the Web3 live streaming arena?
Here’s the conclusion upfront: PumpFun’s initial launch of the live streaming feature pioneered the Web3 live streaming arena. Now, with its relaunch, it has once again raised the ceiling of this arena.
-
PumpFun actually gave its competitors a long window of opportunity.
In November 2024, PumpFun first combined token launches and trading with live streaming. The hype was immense, especially since vices like gambling and drugs are closely linked to the crypto space, attracting all sorts of shady characters.
However, due to inadequate content risk control and compliance capabilities, the live streaming feature was forced to be taken offline.
This was the first time everyone saw the potential and possibilities of Web3 live streaming.
The window of opportunity PumpFun gave other competitors was quite long—from November 2024 to September 2025, nearly a year.
So, who emerged during this time?
Without a doubt, it was Sidekick, which quickly gained traction during this period and has already completed its ecosystem cold launch and token issuance.
-
What will competitors do after PumpFun relaunches live streaming?
Some may ask: With PumpFun relaunching its live streaming feature, will Sidekick be threatened?
First, PumpFun is the largest token launch platform in the crypto space, with significant influence. Its relaunch of live streaming once again validates the importance of live streaming.
Therefore, this move actually raises the ceiling of the arena.
As the pie of the arena grows larger, the top players in this space will always be able to claim a larger share—the key now is the proportion.
-
PumpFun and Sidekick are competing through differentiation.
By leveraging its core business—token launches—combined with live streaming, PumpFun could potentially become a platform for issuers’ fan tokens.
On the other hand, Sidekick leverages its Web2 live streaming technology and growth experience, giving it significantly stronger product capabilities than PumpFun. It is evolving into a pan-entertainment Web3 live streaming platform.
Thus, Sidekick and PumpFun are engaged in differentiated competition with distinct positioning.
For PumpFun, live streaming is merely a catalyst for token launches. For Sidekick, live streaming is a carrier for various types of content.
In other words, live streams on PumpFun are all geared toward token launches, naturally leaning toward emotionally charged and provocative content.
In contrast, live streams on Sidekick place greater emphasis on the content itself, offering a richer variety, including investment research, blockchain gaming, online dog racing, and online tutorials.
-
Text, images, video, and live streaming are the inevitable evolution path for content platforms.
It has long been said that due to its unique characteristics, the Web3 industry needs a live streaming platform that aligns with the nature of Web3.
Traditional live streaming platforms impose high compliance requirements on the crypto space, often leading to account bans. Moreover, monetization is difficult—traditional creators primarily rely on live commerce for revenue, which doesn’t align with the crypto space’s characteristics.
The current gathering place for the crypto space is Twitter, but Twitter is primarily text and image-based. There is still a need for a video-centric platform to become the next hub for crypto users after Twitter.
The Web3 live streaming arena has a high ceiling, capable of accommodating not only PumpFun but also various other platforms engaged in differentiated competition.
PumpFun uses live streaming to serve token launches, while Sidekick uses live streaming to serve content—this is Sidekick’s differentiation.
If PumpFun is more like Taobao Live, where live streaming serves sales, then Sidekick is Douyin Live, where live commerce is just one monetization method, alongside knowledge monetization, tips, and more.
