Pump.fun’s new GO bounty feature has drawn intense criticism after users began completing humiliating and dangerous stunts for cryptocurrency rewards. The Solana-based meme coin launchpad introduced GO on June 4, allowing anyone to create tasks and lock crypto payouts in escrow. According to the New York Post, the platform has paid out over $370,000, with more than 270 open bounties still offering rewards, some worth tens of thousands of dollars.
While many tasks involved harmless acts such as feeding stray animals or donating clothes, others escalated into extreme territory. Reported challenges included getting a forehead tattoo, placing one’s face in a toilet, quitting a job on camera, and climbing Mount Everest. In one widely cited case, a man in the Philippines received $15,000 after tattooing “bounty.fun” on his forehead; another bounty offered $57,200 for the Everest climb.
The feature quickly drew condemnation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for legislation to ban it, while X head of product Nikita Bier said the system encouraged people to perform shameful acts for money. Wired and other outlets raised alarms about tasks that could involve harassment, self‑harm, or legal violations.
Pump.fun’s terms state that participants take part at their own risk, and the company retains the right to approve, reject, or cancel submissions. However, the controversy revives earlier concerns from the platform’s livestreaming feature, which was temporarily suspended after users performed extreme stunts to attract traders. With over $200,000 still available in active bounties, the incident underscores the tension between viral, permissionless crypto products and the need for meaningful moderation.
