CoinMarketCap Expands Beyond Analytics to Launch CMC Launch, a Pre-TGE Platform. First Project is the Decentralized Perpetuals Exchange Aster

This type of launchpad is known in the industry as a Pre-TGE (Token Generation Event) platform. It opens a fresh chapter for CoinMarketCap as it goes beyond analytics and into hands-on community engagement.

Crypto data platform Binance's CoinMarketCap has announced the launch of CMC Launch, a Pre-TGE project launchpad, with its inaugural project being the decentralized perpetual exchange Aster.

Aster, previously backed by YZi Labs, currently supports BNB Chain and Arbitrum, two major blockchain networks known for speed and low fees. These integrations give traders flexibility and access to deep liquidity across multiple ecosystems. For those unfamiliar, BNB Chain is Binance's native blockchain, while Arbitrum is a scaling solution for Ethereum that's taken center stage in recent DeFi developments.

Binance's crypto data platform CoinMarketCap has announced the launch of CMC Launch, a Pre-TGE project launchpad, with its first project being the decentralized perpetuals exchange Aster, known for its presence in BNB Chain and Arbitrum.

The project's inclusion in CMC… https://t.co/7b8924uW8v

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 15, 2025

The project's inclusion in CMC Launch puts it in front of CoinMarketCap's massive user base—more than 340 million monthly visitors—making it one of the most visible early-stage project launches to date.

Pre-TGE hype grows among retail investors

CoinMarketCap's move reflects a broader trend: increasing interest in pre-token investment opportunities, especially among retail investors keen to get in early on promising projects. Launchpads provide a platform for users to discover vetted projects and participate in limited-time pre-TGE offerings, which are often touted for higher upside potential—but of course, carry higher risk.

A recent report by Messari noted that over $1.3 billion in funding went to early-stage Web3 projects in Q1 2025 alone, showcasing the persistent appetite for innovation in the sector. Early-access platforms are booming as users seek to actively shape the ecosystem, not just passively track prices.

For instance, Solana's Jupiter Exchange recently ran its pre-token event through LFG Launchpad, drawing massive community involvement and selling out within minutes. CoinMarketCap's entry signals that this model is here to stay.