How to Verify a Token Contract Is the Real One
When you buy a token, the only thing that truly identifies it is its contract address (on Solana it’s called the mint address). Names and logos can be copied. Contract addresses cannot.
Quick Check
1. Start from official links, not search: Only trust the project’s website, pinned posts on official socials, and its whitepaper. Good projects keep the contract/mint address consistent across all of them.
2. Copy the contract address yourself: Don’t click a “Buy” button from a random post. Copy the address from an official source and paste it into your wallet, DEX, or aggregator.
3. Confirm on an explorer (Solana: Solscan, SolanaFM): Paste the address and confirm the token’s name, symbol, supply, and decimals match what the project says.
4. Bookmark the address: Save it in your wallet or notes so you never have to hunt for it again.
Things to Look out For
Match the Address Across Multiple Official Sources
Website, whitepaper, pinned X/Telegram posts, and documentation should all show the same mint address.
If a site lists more than one address with vague explanations, avoid it.
Metadata Consistency & Look-Alike Traps
Scammers clone names/logos and create near-identical tickers (e.g., an extra character).
Always compare the exact mint address, not just the name.
Watch for odd decimals or supply that don’t match official materials.
DEX & Aggregator Hygiene
On DEXs (like Jupiter or Bifinance), search by pasting the verified mint address. Don’t search by name.
If your trading UI shows a warning or different token details than the explorer, stop and re-check.
Social Proof
Verified listings on CoinGecko/CoinMarketCap help, but they can lag new launches.
Community posts can alert you to scams, but always return to on-chain facts.
Run a Small Test: If everything checks out, do a tiny test buy first. Confirm it appears as the same mint address in your wallet.
Not financial advice. Educational purposes only.
