So you’ve seen PEPE, WIF, or some random new “Baby Floki 2.0” mooning on Twitter and you’re ready to ape. Problem is, most new memes aren’t on Binance or Coinbase. They launch on DEXs like Uniswap, PancakeSwap, or Jupiter.
Here’s the step-by-step guide so you don’t get rekt trying to grab your first memecoin.
Step 1: Get a Wallet
You can’t trade on a DEX without a non-custodial wallet.
- Ethereum / Base / Arbitrum: MetaMask
- BNB Chain: Trust Wallet or MetaMask
- Solana: Phantom
- Multi-chain option: Rabby
👉 Pro tip: Write down your seed phrase, don’t screenshot it. That’s your lifeline.
Step 2: Buy Some Base Crypto
Every DEX needs gas + trading tokens.
- ETH for Uniswap (Ethereum/Base/Arbitrum)
- BNB for PancakeSwap (BNB Chain)
- SOL for Jupiter (Solana)
You can buy these on a CEX (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken) and withdraw to your wallet. Always test with a small transfer first.
Step 3: Connect to the DEX
Go to the official DEX site (double-check links — scams everywhere):
- uniswap.org
- pancakeswap.finance
- jup.ag (Jupiter on Solana)
Click “Connect Wallet” → approve in MetaMask/Phantom/Trust.
Boom. You’re live.
Step 4: Find the Token Contract
Never just search by token name — scammers flood DEXs with fake versions.
- Always copy the official contract address from the project’s Twitter, Telegram, or website.
- Paste it into the DEX search bar.
Example: When PEPE launched, hundreds of fake “PEPE” tokens appeared. Only one was legit. Contract address = the truth.
Step 5: Set Trade Settings
On the swap screen:
- Select your base token (ETH, BNB, or SOL).
- Enter the contract address of the meme token.
- Adjust slippage → new coins often need 5–10% slippage due to tax mechanics.
Step 6: Ape (But Test First)
Always do a test buy with $5–10. If it works, then scale up.
Why? Because some coins are honeypots (you can buy but not sell). A small test saves you from losing your full bag.
Step 7: Track Your Bag
Once bought, you can:
- Add the token to your wallet (import contract).
- Track live charts on Dexscreener or DEXTools.
- Watch liquidity — if it drains, it’s rug season.
Common Rookie Mistakes
- Sending ETH to a BNB address (or vice versa) → funds lost forever.
- Buying fake tokens because they didn’t check contract.
- Forgetting about gas fees and losing half their bag on small buys.
- Holding too long when the pump is over.
Real-World Ape Stories
- Early PEPE buyers on Uniswap turned $250 into $1M+ in 2023.
- Solana memes like BONK and WIF minted overnight millionaires in 2024.
- At the same time, hundreds of “fake PEPEs” rugged newbies who didn’t check contracts.
Final Word
Buying memes on a DEX isn’t hard, but it’s risky if you skip steps.
Here’s the safe play:
- Wallet ready.
- Buy gas coin (ETH, BNB, SOL).
- Connect to legit DEX.
- Paste the correct contract.
- Test buy small before aping bigger.
Do this right, and you’ll be hunting memes like a true degen — without falling for the rookie traps.
Wagmi 🚀
