Memecoin Guide
    Chain Deep Dive

    Ethereum Token Creation Guide

    The complete guide to creating ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum. From smart contracts to Uniswap listings, master the original DeFi ecosystem.

    Why Ethereum for Meme Coins?

    Ethereum is the original smart contract platform and remains the gold standard for serious token projects. While gas fees are higher, the credibility, liquidity, and institutional presence are unmatched.

    Battle-Tested Security

    Most audited and scrutinized blockchain. Lower risk of chain-level exploits.

    Deep Liquidity

    Billions in Uniswap liquidity. Major meme coins like SHIB and PEPE started here.

    Trade-off: Higher gas fees ($5-50 per transaction) but access to institutional investors and major exchange listings. Best for serious projects.

    ERC-20 Token Standard

    ERC-20 is the Ethereum token standard. When you create a meme coin on Ethereum, you're creating an ERC-20 token with specific functions defined by the standard.

    Required ERC-20 Functions

    totalSupply() → uint256
    balanceOf(address) → uint256
    transfer(address, uint256) → bool
    approve(address, uint256) → bool
    transferFrom(address, address, uint256) → bool
    allowance(address, address) → uint256

    Popular ERC-20 Meme Coins

    Gas Optimization Strategies

    Gas fees are the biggest challenge on Ethereum. Here's how to minimize costs:

    1. Launch During Low Activity

    Gas prices drop significantly on weekends and late nights (UTC). Check Etherscan Gas Tracker before deploying.

    2. Use Optimized Contracts

    Simple contracts cost less. Avoid unnecessary features. Use OpenZeppelin templates which are already gas-optimized.

    3. Consider Layer 2s

    Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism offer Ethereum security with 10-100x lower fees. Base is especially popular for meme coins.

    Listing on Uniswap

    Uniswap is the largest DEX on Ethereum. Most meme coins launch liquidity here first.

    Uniswap Listing Steps

    1

    Deploy ERC-20 Contract

    Create and verify your token contract on Etherscan
    2

    Add Liquidity on Uniswap

    Pair your token with ETH or USDC. Minimum $5-10k recommended
    3

    Lock Liquidity

    Use Unicrypt or Team Finance to lock LP tokens (builds trust)
    4

    Start Trading

    Token is now live and tradeable on Uniswap!

    Smart Contract Security

    For a broader overview of protecting your investments, see our risk management guide.

    Critical Security Checklist

    • ✓ Get contract audited by reputable firm (CertiK, Quantstamp)
    • ✓ Use OpenZeppelin templates (battle-tested code)
    • ✓ Renounce ownership after launch (prevents rug pulls)
    • ✓ Lock liquidity for extended period (1+ years)
    • ✓ Verify contract source code on Etherscan
    • ✓ Test thoroughly on testnet first

    Common Smart Contract Vulnerabilities

    Reentrancy Attacks: Malicious contracts call back into your contract before state updates complete. Use the checks-effects-interactions pattern and OpenZeppelin's ReentrancyGuard.
    Honeypot Contracts: Contracts that let users buy but prevent selling through hidden transfer restrictions. Always read the full contract source before buying — if it's not verified on Etherscan, treat it as a red flag.
    Hidden Mint Functions: Owners can secretly mint unlimited tokens, crashing the price. Check whether mint authority is revoked or if the contract has hidden owner-only mint calls.
    Proxy Contract Risks: Upgradeable proxy contracts allow the owner to change contract logic after deployment. For meme coins, prefer immutable contracts with renounced ownership.