Introduction
Genesis - Solana Token Launchpad & Launch Platform
Last updated March 4, 2026
Genesis is a Solana token launchpad and smart contract for Token Generation Events (TGE). Run a presale, fair launch, auction, or crowdsale with on-chain coordination for SPL token creation, token distribution, and fund collection.
Choose Your Path
- No-code launch? Use the Metaplex token launchpad to launch a token with no coding required
- Quick memecoin launch? Use
launchType: 'memecoin'for a streamlined launch with hardcoded defaults — just set a start time. See API Client - Build your own launchpad? Use the Genesis SDK to build a custom token launch platform or host a token sale on your own website
- New to Genesis? Start with Getting Started to understand the flow
- Ready to build? Jump to Launch Pool or Presale
What is Genesis?
Genesis is a decentralized token launch platform that provides on-chain infrastructure for launching SPL tokens on Solana. Whether you need to run a token sale, presale, or fair launch, Genesis handles:
- Token creation with metadata (name, symbol, image)
- Fund collection from participants (SOL deposits)
- Distribution based on your chosen mechanism
- Time coordination for deposit and claim windows
Think of Genesis as a token launchpad smart contract that sits between you (the launcher) and your participants, ensuring fair, transparent, and automated token distribution — a modern on-chain alternative to centralized token sale platforms.
Launch Mechanisms
Genesis supports three mechanisms that can be combined:
| Mechanism | Price | Distribution | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Pool | Discovered at close | Proportional to deposit | Fair launches, community tokens, crowdsales |
| Presale | Fixed upfront | First-come-first-served | Token sales, known valuation |
| Uniform Price Auction | Clearing price | Highest bidders win | Large raises, institutional interest |
Which Should I Use?
Launch Pool - You want organic price discovery and fair token distribution. Similar to a crowdsale, everyone who deposits gets tokens proportional to their share. No one gets sniped.
Presale - You know your valuation and want predictable pricing. Set a fixed price and let participants buy until the cap is reached. In Genesis, "presale" means tokens are sold immediately before initial trading — buyers receive tokens directly, not a future right to receive them.
Auction - You want competitive bidding from larger participants. A structured auction approach best suited for established projects with institutional interest.
Core Concepts
Genesis Account
The central coordinator for your launch. When you initialize a Genesis Account, it:
- Creates your SPL token with metadata
- Mints the total supply to escrow
- Provides the foundation for adding distribution buckets
Buckets
Modular components that define how tokens and funds flow:
| Type | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Inflow | Collect SOL from users | Launch Pool, Presale |
| Outflow | Receive funds for team/treasury | Unlocked Bucket |
Time Conditions
Every bucket has time windows that control when actions are allowed:
- Deposit window - When users can deposit SOL
- Claim window - When users can claim tokens
Protocol Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 2% of deposit amount |
| Withdraw | 2% of withdrawal amount |
| Claim | Transaction fee only |
No upfront costs. You only pay fees on funds raised.
Program Information
| Network | Program ID |
|---|---|
| Mainnet | GNS1S5J5AspKXgpjz6SvKL66kPaKWAhaGRhCqPRxii2B |
| Devnet | GNS1S5J5AspKXgpjz6SvKL66kPaKWAhaGRhCqPRxii2B |
Security
After your launch completes, revoke token authorities to signal that no additional tokens can be minted:
- Mint authority - Revoke to prevent new token minting
- Freeze authority - Revoke to prevent token freezing
See Getting Started for details on authority management.
FAQ
What is Genesis?
Genesis is a Metaplex smart contract for Token Generation Events (TGE) on Solana. It provides on-chain infrastructure for presales, launch pools, and auctions with coordinated token creation and distribution.
What launch mechanisms does Genesis support?
Genesis supports three mechanisms: Launch Pool (proportional distribution with price discovery), Presale (fixed price), and Uniform Price Auction (bid-based with clearing price).
How much does it cost to use Genesis?
Genesis charges a 2% protocol fee on deposits. There are no upfront costs—you only pay Solana transaction fees plus the protocol fee on funds raised.
Can I revoke token authorities after launch?
Yes. Genesis provides revokeMintAuthorityV2 and revokeFreezeAuthorityV2 instructions to permanently revoke authorities.
What's the difference between Launch Pool and Presale?
Presale has a fixed price set upfront. Launch Pool discovers price organically—more deposits means higher implied price per token, with proportional distribution to all participants.
What is the memecoin launch type?
The memecoin launch type is a streamlined option with hardcoded defaults — 1-hour deposit window, fixed 500M token allocation (50% of 1B supply), 98% Raydium LP, 1% creator unlocked, and permanent LP lock. You only need to provide a deposit start time. Use launchType: 'memecoin' in the SDK or "type": "memecoin" in the REST API. See API Client for details.
Can I combine multiple launch mechanisms?
Yes. Genesis uses a bucket system where you can add multiple inflow buckets and configure outflow buckets for treasury or vesting.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Genesis Account | Central coordinator that creates the token and manages all buckets |
| Bucket | Modular component that defines token/SOL flow |
| Inflow Bucket | Bucket that collects SOL from users |
| Outflow Bucket | Bucket that receives funds via end behaviors |
| Launch Pool | Deposit-based distribution where price is discovered at close |
| Presale | Fixed-price sale at a predetermined rate |
| Quote Token | The token users deposit (usually wSOL) |
| Base Token | The token being launched and distributed |
Next Steps
- Getting Started - Understand the Genesis flow
- JavaScript SDK - Installation and setup
- Launch Pool - Build a proportional distribution launch
- Presale - Build a fixed-price sale