Pump.fun Team Cash-Out Triggers $436.5M USDC Exit, PUMP Token Slides 24% and Sparks Centralization Fears

Quick Breakdown

• Wallets linked to Pump.fun converted an estimated $436.5 million of accumulated fees and revenues into USDC.
• The cash-out coincided with a 24% weekly decline in the PUMP token price, amplifying community concerns about the platform’s centralization.
• Critics argue the exit undermines long-term team-community alignment, especially given past controversies, while supporters counter that the stablecoin reserves can be used to fund future development and compliance efforts.

 

Pump.fun transfers $436 million in USDC to Exchange; $PUMP token slumps

The Solana-based memecoin launchpad, Pump.fun, has transferred a massive $436.5 million in USDC stablecoins to the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange over the past month, sparking market scrutiny as the platform’s native token, $PUMP, dropped sharply. 

Blockchain analyst, EmberCN, has indicated that over the past week, the pump.fun project team moved 405 million USDC to Kraken. During this same timeframe, 466 million USDC was moved from Kraken to Circle, the issuer of USDC, indicating a probable withdrawal.

The platform’s native token, $PUMP, has faced significant bearish sentiment, recording a price decline of over $25%  in the last seven days, underperforming both the broader cryptocurrency market and its Solana ecosystem peers. 

This liquidation process comes as the memecoin launchpad grapples with a substantial drop in its operational revenue. 

According to data, Pump.fun’s monthly revenue decreased to $ 27.3 million in November, a sharp $53 drop from the $58.9 million recorded in September.

pump. fun ( @Pumpfun ) 项目方这是出金买大别野了吗🥹

最近一周时间里，pump. fun 项目方把 4.05 亿 USDC 转进了 Kraken。然后同期时间里 4.66 亿的 USDC 从 Kraken 转到 Circle (USDC 发行方)，这很可能是进行了出金。

这些钱是 pump. fun 6 月份向机构私募销售 $PUMP … pic.twitter.com/16Z7GZ45XZ

— 余烬 (@EmberCN) November 24, 2025

The timing is particularly sensitive because Pump.fun has already faced community backlash over its presale, perceived overvaluation, and allegations that the platform disproportionately benefits insiders relative to everyday traders. With revenues down sharply from early‑year peaks and legal and regulatory questions still hanging over parts of the meme‑coin sector, the optics of a nine‑figure stablecoin exit have fueled accusations of an “insider-first” strategy.​

PUMP price slides as centralization concerns grow

The recent cash-outs have lined up with about a 24% drop in PUMP over the past week, bringing the token back toward key support levels highlighted in recent charts. After hitting all-time highs in September and pulling in billions in trading volume, PUMP has had a harder time regaining upward momentum as broader market volatility and profit-taking hit Solana memecoins across the board.

Critics say the size of the team’s USDC cash-out raises questions about long-term alignment with the community, especially after earlier debates over Pump.fun’s fee structure and the large number of low-quality or scam tokens that have launched on the platform. Supporters argue that locking in stablecoin reserves helps extend the team’s runway for development and compliance, but many agree that clearer transparency around treasury management and insider vesting will be important for rebuilding trust.

At the same time, Circle Internet Group’s strong USDC performance fueled a major financial jump in Q3 2025. The company reported $214 million in net income on $740 million in combined revenue and reserve earnings. USDC circulation more than doubled to $73.7 billion, showing how quickly institutions are adopting the regulated, secure digital dollar. New partnerships and the launch of Arc’s public testnet, a Layer-1 chain built for stablecoin-based finance, add to that momentum. With reserves managed by BlackRock and custody handled by BNY Mellon, Circle’s emphasis on compliance and transparency remains central to bridging traditional finance with the world of crypto. 

 

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