Pump.fun launches referral program with 0% Solana trades and 0.45% platform fee

Introduction

Pump.fun has rolled out a new fee setup for its mobile app and website, which pairs 0% trading fees on Solana trades with a 0.45% platform fee on trades placed through the app or web.

The Referral Program

The twist is where that 0.45% ends up. The Solana-based token launchpad says it will send all of the revenue from the fee back out through referral rewards, so none of it is booked as platform profit.

How the New Structure Works

The revamped structure takes effect on October 17, 2026. The referral program behind it was announced a day earlier, on October 16, 2026. The mechanics are fairly simple. Users who arrive through a referral get a 10% discount on fees. They are also eligible for matching bonuses on deposits, capped at $50.

The Benefits for Traders and the Platform

For everyday traders, the near-term math looks favorable. Solana trades on the mobile app carry no fee, referred users get a 10% discount, and deposit bonuses of up to $50 sweeten the onboarding. For active recruiters, the 4x referrer boost turns the app into something closer to an affiliate program. For creators, nothing changes. Their 0.30% cut of bonding-curve fees stays intact, so the economics of launching a token on Pump.fun hold steady.

The Impact on the Market

By committing all of the 0.45% platform fee to referral rewards, the company is giving up a potential income stream in exchange for growth. That leaves the protocol's 0.95% share of bonding-curve fees and its PumpSwap fees doing the heavy lifting on the revenue side.

Conclusion

Pump.fun's new fee structure is designed to boost user engagement and retention. The referral program and matching bonuses on deposits are expected to attract new users and encourage them to stay on the platform.