What is IDO? 8 Reputable Launchpad Platforms in 2024 and Detailed Investment Guide

In the world of cryptocurrency, Initial DEX Offering (IDO) has become a revolution in how projects raise funds. Today, we will explore what an IDO is, analyze the top launchpad platforms, and help you understand the potential investment opportunities in this field.

What Is the Initial DEX Offering Funding Method?

Initial DEX Offering (IDO) is an emerging fundraising method conducted on decentralized exchanges (DEX), allowing projects to distribute tokens fairly and efficiently to a wide range of investors. Unlike traditional ICOs, IDOs give early investors access to promising projects at an early stage with much lower barriers to entry.

What’s special is that IDO does not require intervention from a centralized intermediary. Instead, projects can leverage smart contracts and decentralized communities to self-manage the token sale process. To date, platforms like Seedify have raised over $26 million from their IDOs, while DAO Maker has facilitated fundraising of $54 million.

Why Is IDO Preferred Over IEO?

When comparing Initial DEX Offering (IDO) with Initial Exchange Offering (IEO), several clear advantages stand out. IDO is notable for:

Decentralization and Lower Costs

IDOs operate on decentralized exchanges, fully aligning with blockchain principles. Projects retain maximum control over the sale process without relying on centralized exchanges. This results in significantly lower listing fees compared to IEOs, where exchanges often charge high fees.

Broader Accessibility

IDO allows participation from a global audience, bypassing geographic restrictions or strict KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements often imposed by IEOs. The global community can easily access these offerings, creating a larger user base and stronger engagement.

Innovative Distribution Mechanisms

IDO offers flexibility in how tokens are distributed. Projects can implement creative fundraising models such as Pool Generation Events (PGE) or First-Come-First-Served (FCFS), ensuring fairness for all participants.

Top 8 IDO Launchpad Platforms in 2024

DAO Maker - Community Building Platform

DAO Maker is one of the most reputable IDO platforms in the market. Since 2024, it has conducted 128 IDOs, raising a total of $54 million with an average ATH ROI of 37.4x.

DAO Maker’s exclusive Strong Holder Offerings (SHO) mechanism prioritizes deep community participation, not just trading but also long-term relationship building. Notable projects like My Neighbor Alice have delivered up to 298x ROI for early investors. Currently, the DAO market cap has decreased to $7.78M as of February 2026.

Seedify - Web3 Incubator

Seedify.fund is a leading platform for seed-stage Web3 projects. Since 2024, Seedify has launched 72 IDOs, raising $26 million, focusing on new technologies such as DeFi, AI, Big Data, NFTs, and gaming.

By staking SFUND tokens, investors gain early access to project tokens. For example, Bloktopia, a virtual reality metaverse launched via Seedify, achieved an impressive ROI of 558x — meaning a $100 investment could become over $55,000. As of February 2026, the value of SFUND is $3.64M, reflecting market volatility.

Polkastarter - Cross-Chain Platform

Polkastarter stands out with a focus on interoperability and cross-chain fundraising. By 2024, it has facilitated 112 IDOs, raising $49 million with an average ATH ROI of 40.7x.

Its Pool Generation Event (PGE) mechanism ensures fair token distribution and allows users to provide liquidity early on. Successful projects like Wilder World (metaverse) have achieved over 156x ROI. The market cap of POLS is $5.88M as of February 2026.

BSCPad - Inclusive Platform

BSCPad features a unique First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) mechanism, eliminating gas wars and creating a fair playing field for both small and large investors. In 2024, it launched over 70 IDOs, raising $49 million with an average ATH ROI of 34.7x.

Projects like Fight Of The Ages, Tidex, and MoveZ have been successfully launched on this platform. BSCPad’s approach prevents large gamers from monopolizing token purchases.

Bull Starter - Highest ROI

Bull Starter, guided by Bull Perks, boasts the highest average ATH ROI in the list: 130.83x. In 2024, it hosted 65 IDOs, raising $15 million, supporting multiple blockchains including BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Fantom, and Avalanche.

Projects like Bloktopia, Polker, and Monsta Infinite gained global popularity through this platform, demonstrating strong project selection capabilities.

PAID Ignition - Tech Innovation Focus

PAID Ignition concentrates on identifying top projects with emerging technologies, backed by a strong community. In 2024, it launched 105 IDOs, raising $13 million with an average ATH ROI of 25.4x.

High-profit projects on this platform include Rainmaker Games, Pandora Finance, and Metastrike. PAID Ignition mainly focuses on the BNB Chain ecosystem.

TrustSwap - Comprehensive DeFi Services

TrustSwap offers a range of decentralized financial services, including token launches and staking. In 2024, it conducted 38 IDOs, raising $30 million across Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, Polygon, Algorand, and Avalanche, with an average ATH ROI of 33.6x.

Notable projects like Opulous, Yield App, and Internet of Energy Network have been launched via TrustSwap. The current SWAP value is $3.68M as of February 2026.

Poolz Finance - Multi-Blockchain Platform

Poolz Finance is a decentralized platform designed to facilitate project launches across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Nervos Network, Moonbeam, and Polkadot. In 2024, it launched 127 IDOs, raising $9.86 million with an average ATH ROI of 19.2x.

Projects such as Hypercycle, ChainGPT, and Singularity DAO have been deployed through this platform. The market cap of POOLZ is $21.2M (2024 data).

How to Participate in an IDO: Step-by-Step Guide

To effectively participate in an Initial DEX Offering, follow these specific steps:

Step 1: Research and Preparation

Perform DYOR (Do Your Own Research) to find upcoming IDOs aligned with your goals. Carefully evaluate the whitepaper, development team, roadmap, and community engagement. Set up a compatible Web3 wallet such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or WalletConnect.

Step 2: Prepare Cryptocurrency Funds

Acquire necessary cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or BNB, depending on the blockchain used by the IDO. Transfer them into your Web3 wallet and ensure sufficient funds for transaction fees.

Step 3: Join the Project Community

Join the project’s Telegram, Discord, or Twitter channels for updates. A healthy project will have an active and growing community. Follow participation requirements and team announcements.

Step 4: Complete KYC and Join Whitelist

Complete any required Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Join the project’s whitelist by submitting necessary information or completing community tasks.

Step 5: Participate in the IDO

On the IDO day, connect your wallet to the designated DEX. Follow instructions to send cryptocurrencies to the specified address or interact with the smart contract. Tokens will be sent to your wallet afterward.

Step 6: Manage Your Investment Portfolio

Regularly monitor project updates. Plan your exit strategy to maximize profits, especially when the project gets listed on larger exchanges.

Risks and Precautions When Investing in IDOs

While IDOs offer high profit potential, you should be cautious of the following risks:

Assess Project Quality

Verify the legitimacy of the project by checking the development team, detailed whitepaper, clear roadmap, and real use cases. Ensure smart contracts are audited by reputable firms like SlowMist or CertiK.

Analyze Tokenomics and Community

Understand the token distribution, supply, lock-up periods, and vesting schedules. Be wary of projects with highly concentrated token holdings. Seek active communities endorsed by industry figures.

Check Post-IDO Plans

Review the project’s plans for liquidity and token listing after the IDO. Be aware of potential legal or regulatory risks.

Evaluate Overall Risks

Carefully consider risk-reward ratios. Remember that high returns often come with high risks. Prepare for KYC requirements. Research the platform’s reputation to ensure reliability.

Protect Against Scams

Be vigilant against scams. Only use official links from the project’s official channels. Beware of phishing or fake tokens.

Conclusion: IDO and the Future of Blockchain Fundraising

Initial DEX Offering has proven to be an innovative and decentralized approach to raising capital, providing opportunities for investors to participate early in promising crypto projects. Compared to traditional IEOs and ICOs, IDOs offer easier access, lower costs, and potentially higher profits.

However, IDO remains a relatively new fundraising method, and due to the high risk nature of these investments, the legal landscape is still uncertain. Therefore, thorough research and cautious participation are essential when engaging in any IDO.

If you understand the risks and develop strong project analysis skills, participating in IDOs can become an exciting and profitable part of your cryptocurrency investment portfolio.