Follow a token from launch to trading
Meet SAMPLE, a made-up token. Follow the dev, the tokens, and the money. The labels below introduce the words you will see in an explorer.
- 01
The dev launches SAMPLE
The dev or creator is the person or team launching it. Its token address identifies this exact asset on its chain. Copy the full address; names can be reused.
- 02
Tokens go into accounts
A wallet holds assets. An allocation assigns tokens to someone, such as the team or treasury. Find who received them and what they paid.
- 03
Traders buy and sell
A liquidity pool holds assets for trading. Its reserves and rules affect the price and what a sale receives. Some platforms pay the creator a share of trading fees.
Supply means the number of token units. This example divides the issued units into three places.
Used in the trading pool.
Released on a schedule.
Units ordinary holders can transfer now.
Cost basis is what you paid for your tokens. Include relevant fees and use the same cost method for each purchase. If the purchase history is missing, record the cost as unknown.
A creator fee comes from qualifying trading activity under the platform’s rules. Check the recipient and payment. The creator may earn fees while still holding its tokens.
Look across a group of wallets
One person can use several wallets. Linked wallets are accounts with evidence connecting their owners; keep suspected links separate. A bundle groups transactions for ordered execution. Scanners may also use the word for launch purchases they detect as coordinated. Check the tool's definition before using its number.
If a group holds many available tokens, it has more selling capacity than any one wallet suggests. Dumping means selling a large amount quickly enough to put heavy pressure on the market. Check how much other buyers and the pool can take in.
What can change later?
Permissions, also called authorities, may let someone create more units, freeze accounts, change fees, or restrict transfers. Vesting releases tokens on a schedule; an unlock makes the scheduled units available. Check who controls these rights and when the next release happens.
In a sale quote, price impact shows how your order affects the quoted price. A large sale can receive less per token than a small sale. Check the actual quantity you are investigating.
How to investigate it
Copy the full token address and chain. Open the explorer and identify the creator, ordinary holders, pool accounts, supply, and permissions. Save links and check time. Record what each address does and the definition of each supply number.
Practical case — illustrative
SAMPLE has 150m issued units: 30m in pool reserves, 20m locked for the team, and 100m available to ordinary holders. A wallet with 2m holds 2m ÷ 150m = about 1.3% of total issued units, or 2m ÷ 100m = 2% of available holder units.
The denominator is the total you divide by. Say which total you use so the percentage is understandable. Later examples are dated snapshots; compare their times before comparing balances.
Keep this record
Save the full token address, chain, check time, address roles, and the supply total behind each percentage.
Add these findings to your review worksheet →
Check your understanding — answered
Two tokens have the same name. Which one am I checking? Match the full token address and chain.
Holder percentages differ between tools. Why? Check supply definitions, snapshot times, and coverage.
Is every large holder the dev? Identify the account's role and look for ownership evidence. It could be a pool, exchange, or unrelated holder.
SAMPLE is made up for this course. Date each finding. For a real token, use current transaction records and platform rules. Inspect shows sampled trades; use external records to check ownership and permissions.