Anatomy of a rug pull: 5 patterns and how to spot them
3 min readMost rug pulls follow one of five patterns: hidden supply in linked wallets, an unlocked creator dump, sniper bots that sell into real buyers, thin liquidity that traps sellers, and contracts with hidden powers. Each one leaves clues on-chain that you can check before buying.
1. The hidden supply
The team buys a large share at launch across many fresh wallets, so the holder list looks spread out. The chart climbs as real buyers arrive, then the linked wallets sell together and the price collapses in minutes. What to check: clusters on the holder map, and wallets funded from the same source.
2. The creator dump
The creator holds a large share and nothing stops them from selling. A token can look healthy for hours until the creator decides to exit. What to check: the creator's share, whether their wallet is locked and for how long, and whether they have already sold.
3. The sniper exit
Bots buy in the very first block, then sell into the wave of people who arrive after the token is shared. The first real buyers effectively pay the snipers' profit. What to check: how many wallets bought in the first block and how much they still hold.
4. The liquidity trap
A token with a large market cap but a small pool looks valuable, but there is little real money behind it. When people try to sell, the price drops much more than they expect. What to check: liquidity compared to market cap. Under 5% is a warning sign.
5. The contract trap
Some contracts let the owner mint new tokens, block wallets from selling or raise the sell tax at any time. The chart can look perfect while selling is quietly impossible. What to check: whether supply is fixed and whether anyone can change transfer rules. Tokens launched on ArkhamPad use a fixed-supply contract with no owner controls.
The habit that protects you
Before every buy, spend thirty seconds on the holders, the creator lock, the first buyers, liquidity and the contract. No check is perfect, but together they filter out most of the tokens designed to fall.
FAQ
What is a rug pull?
When the people behind a token remove liquidity or sell a hidden supply, leaving other buyers with a token worth much less.
Can a token with a locked creator still rug?
Yes, through linked wallets or snipers. A creator lock removes one risk, not all of them.
How can I check a token quickly?
Look at the top holders, the creator lock, first-block buyers, liquidity and contract rights. ArkhamPad shows these on every token page.