In the frenetic arena of cryptocurrency, a new type of player operates at speeds imperceptible to the human eye: the crypto sniper. In some ways, these are not individuals but automated bots designed to purchase newly launched tokens within milliseconds of their release on decentralized exchange (DEX) platforms. You can still note, however, that an entity or individual is the force behind these bots.
Their goal is simple: buy at the lowest possible price and sell during the subsequent hype-driven price surge. These sniper bots function by monitoring blockchain activity in real-time. They scan for the creation of new liquidity pools or smart contract events that signal a token’s launch. Once triggered, they execute buy orders with high-priority transaction fees, often outpacing retail traders by hundreds of milliseconds.
On blockchains like Ethereum, this may involve paying exorbitant gas fees to front-run competitors. On Solana, where transactions are faster and cheaper, snipers leverage high-speed RPC nodes to gain an edge. The practice is especially prevalent in meme coin launches, where extreme volatility can turn small investments into life-changing sums. According to blockchain analysis firms and researchers, the same sophisticated snipers often appear behind the largest and most profitable launches.
Some suspect these snipers might be insiders, yet they still operate with flawless timing, sharp efficiency, and lightning-fast speed. A recent example involves the launch of YZY, a meme coin associated with musician Kanye West, also known as Ye. Bubblemaps identified the first buyer as a trader known as “Naseem,” who invested $250,000 just as the token went live. Within minutes, Naseem executed sales totaling $535,000 and withdrew over $1 million in profits through liquidity removals—all while still holding a substantial position.
Naseem is no stranger to high-profile snipes. Earlier this year, he reportedly turned $1.1 million into over $100 million by trading TRUMP, a meme coin linked to U.S. President Donald Trump. His ability to consistently be the first buyer on major meme coin launches like TRUMP, HAWK, and LIBRA has raised questions within the crypto community. “Is it pure skill, or does he know something more?” Bubblemaps asked in a public thread.
The firm found strong onchain links between the wallet that bought YZY and previous wallets tied to Naseem, including those used to snipe both LIBRA and TRUMP. Another analysis by the analyst dubbed Dethective revealed that the same treasury wallet that received profits from the YZY snipe also received approximately $20 million from a trader who exclusively sniped LIBRA.
That trader, Dethective reported, extracted $11.5 million from the LIBRA launch alone, likely using insider information. These incidents highlight a growing concern: sniping is not just about speed but also potential insider collaboration. When developers or insiders use sniper bots to buy their own tokens at launch, it mirrors traditional market manipulation like front-running or insider trading.
Popular platforms include Banana Gun and Maestro, which offer user-friendly interfaces, often integrated with Telegram. Some bots are open-source, while others require monthly subscriptions. For project teams, combating snipers has become a priority. Though some teams are suspected of permitting it, whether they deny it or not. Other teams implement anti-snipe mechanisms such as delayed trading, liquidity pool locks, or fair launch protocols.
Blockchain analytics firms have been developing tools to detect sniper activity based on wallet behavior. As the industry matures, the tension between automated advantage and fair access will likely shape technological responses going forward. For now, the snipers keep shooting—and cashing in.
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