GlossaryIntermediate
Pre-Mine
Tokens created and allocated before a project's public launch.
A pre-mine refers to tokens created and allocated (typically to the founding team, early investors, or a treasury) before a project's public launch, rather than being earned through the same process the general public will use afterward.
A pre-mine isn't inherently improper — many legitimate projects use one to fund development or reward early contributors — but its size and vesting terms are a genuinely relevant factor when evaluating a project.
Examples
- A project's pre-mine size and vesting schedule are worth reviewing before investing.
- A pre-mine isn't inherently a red flag, but its terms are a relevant part of project research.