Ava AI token sniping involved 23 wallets linked to its deployer, which acquired 40% of the AVA supply at launch, according to blockchain analytics from Bubblemaps. This coordination raised concerns about insider activity in the Solana-based AI project, contributing to a 96% price drop from its peak.
-
23 wallets tied to deployer sniped 40% of AVA supply at launch, showing coordinated funding from exchanges like Bitget and Binance.
-
Patterns included similar Solana deposits and no prior activity, indicating potential insider orchestration.
-
AVA token fell 96% from its $0.33 all-time high in January 2025, per CoinGecko data, highlighting risks of concentrated holdings.
Discover the AVA AI token sniping scandal: 23 wallets grabbed 40% supply at launch, per Bubblemaps. Explore implications for Solana AI projects and investor risks today.
What is the AVA AI token sniping controversy?
AVA AI token sniping refers to the rapid acquisition of 40% of the token’s supply by a cluster of 23 wallets connected to the project’s deployer during its November 2024 launch on Solana. Blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps identified this through shared funding patterns from platforms like Bitget and Binance, similar deposit amounts, and identical timing, suggesting coordinated insider activity. This event underscores vulnerabilities in decentralized token launches, even on community platforms like Pump.fun.
Sniping, a common tactic in cryptocurrency trading, involves using automated bots to buy new tokens immediately upon availability, often at discounted prices before broader market access. In the case of AVA, this strategy allowed one entity to control a significant portion of the supply, potentially influencing price dynamics and raising red flags for potential scams like rug pulls.
The AVA token, part of the Holoworld AI ecosystem, was marketed as a decentralized AI agent utility. However, the concentration of holdings in few wallets post-launch amplified concerns about fairness and transparency in the project’s debut.
How did Bubblemaps detect the coordinated wallet activity in the AVA token launch?
Bubblemaps utilized its Time Travel feature, a forensic analytics tool introduced in May 2025, to reconstruct the historical token distribution and uncover early insider movements. The analysis revealed 23 wallets with no prior blockchain history, all funded within a narrow timeframe using Solana from Bitget and Binance. Each received comparable SOL amounts before purchasing AVA tokens en masse at launch.
“Connected to these snipers are other wallets that also bought AVA early. Similar funding sources, sizes, and timing strongly suggest coordination across these clusters,” stated Bubblemaps in their analysis report. This tool enables Web3 users to visualize wallet clusters and detect sybil attacks, where multiple identities mask as independent entities.
Further patterns included synchronized buying behaviors and subsequent transfers to related addresses, consolidating control. Bubblemaps’ expertise in on-chain forensics has previously exposed similar issues, such as in the PEPE memecoin launch, where 30% of genesis supply was allegedly bundled. For AVA, this detection highlights the importance of supply distribution audits in preventing manipulative launches.
Source: Bubblemaps
Large concentrations of token supply in a handful of wallets serve as warning signs for investors. Such setups can facilitate rug pulls, where insiders drain liquidity or dump holdings, causing catastrophic price drops and leaving retail participants with devalued assets. In AVA’s case, the 40% control by linked wallets exemplifies these risks in the volatile Solana ecosystem.
The AVA project, built on Holoworld AI—a platform boasting over 1 million users and 700,000 AI creations—aimed for a fair, community-driven rollout via Pump.fun. Yet, the sniping undermined this narrative, prompting scrutiny of deployer intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the 96% drop in AVA AI token price after launch?
The AVA token launched on November 13, 2024, and peaked at $0.33 on January 15, 2025, achieving a $300 million fully diluted valuation. Since then, it has declined over 96% from its high and 79% from launch levels, according to CoinGecko data. Factors include market corrections in Solana AI tokens and revelations of insider sniping, which eroded investor confidence and triggered sell-offs.
Is AVA AI token still a viable investment in the Solana ecosystem?
The AVA token, known as the HOLO AI intern, powers autonomous AI agents on the Holoworld AI launchpad, which supports creating and funding AI applications. While its price has plummeted amid the sniping controversy, ongoing developments in the platform’s 700,000+ AI creations offer potential utility. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence on tokenomics and monitor on-chain activity for recovery signals.
Source: Bubblemaps
Key Takeaways
- Insider coordination risks in token launches: The AVA case shows how sybil wallets can amass large supplies, impacting fairness and price stability in projects like those on Solana.
- Tools like Bubblemaps’ Time Travel enhance transparency: Forensic analytics reveal hidden patterns, helping users spot potential scams before investing in new AI tokens.
- Monitor supply distribution post-launch: Concentrated holdings signal rug pull dangers; diversify and verify on-chain data to protect against 96% drops like AVA’s.
Conclusion
The AVA AI token sniping incident, as detailed by Bubblemaps, exposes critical flaws in decentralized launches, where 23 deployer-linked wallets secured 40% of the supply. This coordinated activity not only fueled a 96% price decline but also spotlights the need for robust on-chain audits in the Solana AI sector. As blockchain analytics advance, investors can better navigate these risks—stay informed on projects like Holoworld AI to capitalize on genuine innovations in autonomous agents.
Source: https://en.coinotag.com/bubblemaps-suggests-23-wallets-linked-to-ava-deployer-sniped-40-supply-at-launch
