Meme coins have taken the crypto world by storm, and Solana has quickly become the top chain for launching and trading these fun, community-driven tokens. From viral coins like $WIF, $Fartcoin, $Pengu to new launches on platforms like Pumpdotfun and Boopdotfun, Solana offers low fees, fast transactions, and plenty of meme magic. But if you’re new to Solana or crypto in general, you might be wondering — how to buy meme coins on Solana?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process in simple steps. Whether you want to catch the next big meme token early or just explore the exciting world of Solana memes, this guide is for you.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to set up your wallet, buy Solana (SOL), connect to decentralised exchanges (DEXs), and grab your first meme coin. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Set Up a Solana Wallet
The first thing you need before buying meme coins on Solana is a wallet that supports the Solana blockchain. This wallet will store your SOL and any meme coins you purchase.
Popular Solana wallets include:
- Phantom (most recommended for beginners)
- Solflare
- Backpack
- Slope
How to set up Phantom wallet:
- Go to the official Phantom website and download the extension for your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
- Click Create New Wallet and follow the prompts.
- Write down your secret recovery phrase and store it safely offline — this is the only way to recover your wallet if you lose access.
- Set a strong password.
- Your Solana wallet is now ready!
Tip: You can also download Phantom’s mobile app if you prefer trading on your phone.
Step 2: Buy Some Solana (SOL)
To buy meme coins on Solana, you’ll need SOL, the native cryptocurrency of the Solana blockchain. SOL is used to pay for transaction fees (which are extremely low) and to trade tokens.
How to buy SOL:
- Go to a trusted centralised exchange (CEX) like Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, or Bybit.
- Create an account and complete any necessary verification (KYC).
- Buy SOL using your local currency or another crypto like USDT.
- Once purchased, go to your exchange’s Withdraw section.
- Enter your Phantom wallet address (copy it from your wallet).
- Choose the Solana network (SOL) and send the coins.
Tip: Always double-check your wallet address before sending SOL to avoid losing your funds.
Step 3: Connect Your Wallet to a Solana DEX
Now that you have SOL in your wallet, it’s time to connect to a decentralised exchange (DEX) where meme coins are traded. Unlike centralised exchanges, DEXs let you trade directly from your wallet.
Popular Solana DEXs include:
- Jupiter Aggregator (best for finding the lowest price)
- Raydium
- Orca
For this guide, we recommend using Jupiter because it aggregates prices across multiple DEXs to get you the best deal.
How to connect to Jupiter:
- Go to the official Jupiter website.
- Click Connect Wallet in the top-right corner.
- Choose Phantom and approve the connection.
- Your wallet is now linked to the DEX!
Step 4: Find the Solana Meme Coin You Want to Buy
Now comes the fun part — choosing which meme coin to buy! You can discover trending tokens on Solana by checking:
- DexScreener (Solana section): Tracks hot new tokens.
- Birdeye.so: Shows real-time prices and charts.
- Pumpdotfun or Boopdotfun: For new launch tokens.
- Crypto Twitter/X: Follow influencers sharing new meme coins.
- Telegram groups: Many Solana meme projects promote launches here.
Once you find a token you want, you’ll need its token address (mint address) — a long string starting with letters and numbers. This is crucial to avoid buying fake copies.
Example:
Token: $WIF
Mint address: 8a1TfZ7iJJK... (shortened for example)
Always copy the official mint address from trusted sources.
Step 5: Swap SOL for Meme Coins
With your wallet connected and the token address ready, you can now swap your SOL for meme coins.
How to swap on Jupiter:
- On the Jupiter site, paste the mint address into the token search bar.
- Select SOL as the token you want to spend.
- Enter the amount of SOL you want to swap.
- Jupiter will show you the best available price.
- Click Swap and approve the transaction in your wallet.
- After a few seconds, your new meme coins will appear in your wallet!
Tip: You may need to manually add the token in your Phantom wallet to see it. Just click Manage Token List and paste the mint address.
Step 6: Store and Track Your Meme Coins
Congratulations — you now own meme coins on Solana! Here’s how to keep track of them:
- Phantom Wallet: Shows token balances directly in your wallet.
- Birdeye.so: Paste your wallet address to view portfolio and token prices.
- DexScreener: Track charts and monitor prices.
- Telegram/Discord: Join the project’s community for updates and memes.
Make sure you store your secret recovery phrase safely. Do not share it with anyone — if someone gets it, they can steal your funds.
Step 7: Sell Your Meme Coins (Optional)
If your meme coin pumps and you want to take profit, selling is as easy as swapping back to SOL.
How to sell:
- Go back to Jupiter.
- Connect your wallet.
- Select your meme coin as the token to sell.
- Choose SOL as the token to receive.
- Enter the amount and click Swap.
- Approve the transaction in your wallet.
You can then withdraw your SOL back to your centralised exchange if you want to cash out into fiat currency.
Conclusion
Buying meme coins on Solana is surprisingly simple once you understand the steps. Here’s a quick recap:
- Set up a Phantom wallet.
- Buy and send SOL to your wallet.
- Connect to a Solana DEX like Jupiter.
- Find the meme coin’s mint address.
- Swap SOL for the meme coin.
- Track your tokens and store them securely.
- Sell back to SOL whenever you want.
With its low fees and vibrant community, Solana has become the home of meme coin innovation. By following this step-by-step guide, you’re now ready to dive in and explore this exciting world. Just remember: meme coins are high-risk, high-reward assets — so only invest what you can afford to lose and always do your own research!