How to Spot the Next Token Before It Pumps
The ultimate cheat sheet for traders who think ahead.
Most people jump in late.
The smart ones take positions long before the hype.
Here’s how to research properly and find strong projects early 🧵👇

As we get started, may I ask for a quick favor?
I've put a lot of time in research to create this and would appreciate any interaction with the thread.
Bookmark, like, or reply to the first tweet.

1/ Altcoins & Research
Altcoins = any crypto that’s not Bitcoin.
There are millions out there.
Each one claims to do something different.
But not all are worth it.
A lot are just hype - some are scams.
So always do your research before buying.
Know what it is, who made.

2/ Real Use Case Matters
A good altcoin actually solves a real problem.
Check the website or whitepaper - it should clearly explain what it does and
why it matters.
If it’s all buzzwords and no clear purpose, that’s a red flag.
No real use = no real value.
3/ The Team Behind It
Who's building the project?
Legit teams usually show their faces and backgrounds
If the team is anonymous or there’s no solid info that’s a big red flag
Check their website or (X)
You can even use tools like to dig deeper.
5/ Community & Dev Activity
Good projects have active, real communities.
Check Twitter, Discord, or Reddit - are people talking about the tech, not just price?
Also look at the dev side.
Is the code getting updates on GitHub?
Frequent commits = active building.
Community + devs = strong backbone.
6/ Roadmap
A solid project has a clear plan.
Check the roadmap - are there real goals with timelines?
No roadmap, vague promises, or constant delays? That’s a red flag.
You want a team that knows where they’re going - and how to get there
Even Good Projects Can Hide Scams
So keep an eye out for these red flags:
- Anonymous team
- No real use case
- Vague roadmap or missed deadlines
- No GitHub or dev update
- Overhyped marketing with zero details
- Unfair token distribution
- Fake followers or engagement
8/ Anonymous Team
If the team is hiding - that’s a warning sign.
Fake names, no LinkedIn, or zero public presence?
Real projects are built by real people who stand behind their work.
No faces = no trust.
9/ Unrealistic Promises
If it sounds too good to be true - it is.
No altcoin can guarantee profits.
Watch out for “get rich quick” claims or trendy buzzwords with no real meaning
And if they promise fixed returns?
That’s almost always a scam.
10/ Lack of Transparency
Good projects are open and clear.
No whitepaper? No audits? No code?
That’s a problem.
Legit teams publish detailed docs, show their code, and get third-party audits.
If they’re hiding info, they’re hiding something.
11/ Poor Liquidity
Always check trading volume and market cap.
Low volume = hard to buy/sell without big slippage.
Tiny market cap = easy target for manipulation.
If just a few wallets control most of the supply - that’s risky.
Stay liquid, stay safe.
12/ Research Tips
Start with the basics:
Read the whitepaper - what problem it solves, how it works, roadmap.
Check GitHub - is the code active?
Use sites like @CoinMarketCap and @coingecko for:
- Price
- Volume
- Wallet holders
Also follow their website, Twitter, and Discord.
That’s where real updates - and real red flags - show up.
28.25K
140
The content on this page is provided by third parties. Unless otherwise stated, OKX is not the author of the cited article(s) and does not claim any copyright in the materials. The content is provided for informational purposes only and does not represent the views of OKX. It is not intended to be an endorsement of any kind and should not be considered investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell digital assets. To the extent generative AI is utilized to provide summaries or other information, such AI generated content may be inaccurate or inconsistent. Please read the linked article for more details and information. OKX is not responsible for content hosted on third party sites. Digital asset holdings, including stablecoins and NFTs, involve a high degree of risk and can fluctuate greatly. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition.

