How to Not Get Rekt in an IDO?

With the market snoozing (BTC at $93K, altcoins barely moving), it’s the perfect time to school your degens on how to join IDOs without losing their shirt.

We’ve survived 100+ IDOs at GameFi.org, so we know the traps. Here’s how to dodge the landmines and actually survive the game.

Red Flags: Spot the Rug Before It Pulls

Some IDOs look good but are actually scams. Here’s what to avoid:

• Anon Teams: No names, no LinkedIn, just “CryptoBro420” on Telegram? They’re probably cashing out for a yacht. Google the team—legit projects have real faces.
• No Whitepaper: A flashy website with “blockchain revolution” buzzwords and zero details? That’s a vibe, not a plan. Real projects lay out their tech and goals.
• Janky Tokenomics: 80% of tokens to “founders” or no vesting schedule? That’s a whale dump ready to tank your bag. Aim for 20% max to team, locked for 12+ months.
• Bot Hype: Comments like “100X GEM!” or paid shills flooding X? Smells like a rug. Scope Telegram or Discord for actual community talk, not spam.

Scams like bot-driven pumps have been wiping out degens since 2020. Check X for legit buzz and steer clear of hype-only projects.

DYOR: Don’t Be the Crybaby on X

“Do Your Own Research” isn’t just a catchy hashtag—it’s your lifeline. Here’s how to sleuth like a pro:

• Whitepaper: Read it, or at least skim. Look for a solid use case (like NFT rewards in games) and a roadmap that’s not “Q3 2027: moon.” No whitepaper? Bounce.
• Team: Dig into LinkedIn or their past projects. If they’ve got no track record or it’s all “advisor” fluff, they’re likely grifters. Real teams deliver.
• Tokenomics: Low initial market cap (under $1M) can mean big gains. Check allocations—20% max to team, rest to public or liquidity. Vesting (12-24 months) stops whale dumps.
• Community: Join Discord or Telegram, but ignore the shills. Real users ask tech questions; bots spam rockets. Weak community? Hard pass.
• Contract Audits: Look for audits by Certik or PeckShield. No audit? It’s like buying a spaceship with no engine. Peek at Etherscan for contract red flags.

DYOR takes 30 minutes and saves your bag. Don’t be the degen whining about a “scam” you could’ve spotted.

Stay Sharp, Stay Unrekt

Getting into an IDO early can be a big win, but it’s not a free buffet.  Scams are out there, so spot the scams, DYOR like your bag’s life depends on it (it does).