CoinTerminal

Crypto IDO launchpad offering zero-staking presales and 24-hour refundable participation

Launchpad No KYC Founded 2023 Oct 23

Visit cointerminal.com

3.3/ 5

Our score

Fair

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Launch types IDO

Staking needed for allocations No

KYC required No

Fees Free to opt in; 25% fee on winning token allocations

What is CoinTerminal?

CoinTerminal is a decentralized token presale and initial DEX offering (IDO) platform that removes mandatory platform token staking. Formerly known as Ape Terminal, the launchpad allows retail participants to enter early-stage token sales using stablecoins directly.

Leadership and background

Founded in 2023, CoinTerminal was created by Founder and CEO Hassan Hatu Sheikh, a Web3 advisor who previously advised projects such as StepApp, Inspect, and Polkastarter, holding a degree in mathematics, economics, and business from Stony Brook University. Engineering architecture is led by Chief Technology Officer Patrick Carey, an enterprise software engineer with previous experience developing large-scale transactional systems across traditional banking institutions.

Participation mechanics and protection

CoinTerminal uses an open-access model without mandatory platform-token staking. Users connect a Web3 wallet or sign in using Google credentials to register for active presales. Allocation winners are selected via an on-chain lottery mechanism powered by Chainlink Verifiable Random Function (VRF) to prevent whale and bot manipulation.

The platform implements a refundable protection framework around the token generation event (TGE). After a funded project executes its TGE, buyers have a 24-hour window to evaluate token market performance and choose whether to claim their allocated tokens. If a user takes no action or declines to claim tokens within the 24 hours, an automatic refund is initiated, returning the participant's original USDT allocation in full.

Fees and identity verification

Registering and opting into IDO presales carries no upfront entry fee. However, winning allocations incur a 25% fee deducted from the won tokens upon distribution. Contributions under $5,000 do not require identity verification during the initial opt-in stage. Identity verification (KYC) is required only for contributors allocating $5,000 or more, or at the token claiming stage once a winning allocation is confirmed.

Track record and platform risks

By late 2026, CoinTerminal reported more than 650,000 registered users, over 100 funded startup launches, and exceeding $80M in distributed token value. The platform automatically refunds unclaimed allocations after the 24-hour post-TGE window, while secondary token prices can drop significantly after vesting releases or liquidity unlocks.

Founders

Hassan Hatu SheikhFounder and CEO

Holds a degree in Mathematics, Economics, and Business from Stony Brook University and previously advised StepApp, Inspect, XCad Network, and Polkastarter.

Best for:Retail buyers avoiding launchpad stakingInvestors seeking refundable token salesSmall contributors under $5,000

Pros and cons

Pros

No native token staking or holding required to enter IDO presales
Full USDT refunds available within 24 hours of token generation events
Chainlink VRF lottery is used for whale- and bot-resistant allocation selection
No upfront KYC required for presale opt-ins below $5,000

Cons

Winning allocations carry a 25% fee taken from won tokens
KYC is required at token claim for smaller contributions and for contributors of $5,000 or more when selected

Our review

3.3/5

Fair

CoinTerminal eliminates mandatory token staking and offers a 24-hour post-TGE refund window, but winning allocations carry a steep 25% fee.

Track record of launches4.0

Project vetting3.0

Fairness & access4.0

Costs2.5

Transparency3.0

CoinTerminal, formerly known as Ape Terminal, operates as an initial DEX offering (IDO) launchpad founded in 2023 by CEO Hassan Hatu Sheikh. The platform differentiates itself from conventional token launchpads by dropping tier-based token gating. Retail participants do not need to buy or stake a volatile platform token to secure an allocation. Instead, users connect a Web3 wallet and contribute directly with stablecoins, with winners chosen via Chainlink Verifiable Random Function (VRF) lotteries to mitigate bot manipulation.

CoinTerminal offers a buyer protection mechanism. Following a project's Token Generation Event (TGE), investors have 24 hours to claim their tokens or request a refund. If a user chooses not to claim their tokens within that period, an automatic refund triggers and the user can retrieve their full USDT contribution. Presale opt-ins carry no upfront fee, and KYC verification is deferred until token claims for amounts under $5,000.

Winning allocations incur a 25% fee on won tokens.
Contributors giving $5,000 or more face mandatory KYC verification before claiming.

The platform reports over $80M in distributed token value across more than 100 funded startup launches, alongside campaigns like CoinDrops that distribute free tokens before public listings. CoinTerminal suits retail crypto investors seeking early presale access without locking capital into native launchpad utility tokens.

Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.

Sources (3)

Specs

Launch types	IDO · unverified
How allocations work	Non-token-gated lottery using Chainlink VRF, with automatic participation upon stablecoin deposit and no tier staking. · unverified
Staking needed for allocations	No · unverified
KYC required ⓘ	No · unverified
Fees	Free to opt in; 25% fee on winning token allocations · unverified
Refund protection	24-hour post-TGE claim window; unclaimed allocations automatically refund 100% of USDT · unverified

Not disclosed by the provider: Chains, Open to US users, Notable launches.

Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.

Key features

Open access allocations

Participants join presales directly using stablecoins without buying, holding, or staking native launchpad tokens.

24-hour post-TGE refund

Investors receive an automatic full refund in USDT if they do not claim their tokens within 24 hours of the token generation event.

VRF lottery selection

Presale winners are selected using Chainlink Verifiable Random Function to eliminate manual lottery manipulation.

Threshold-based KYC

Contributions below $5,000 require no identity verification at the initial opt-in phase.

CoinDrops reward distribution

Users can access free token distribution campaigns before official centralized exchange listings occur.

Monthly presale lottery

Contributions of $250 or more in refundable sales enter an automated $5,000 monthly lottery prize pool.

Inside CoinTerminal

Launchpad

The primary portal where users connect a wallet to discover, opt into, and fund early-stage crypto presales using stablecoins without token staking.

CoinDrops

A rewards system enabling users to win and earn allocations of free tokens before they list on public exchanges.

Lottery

A monthly rewards program featuring prize pools awarded to participating presale contributors through Chainlink VRF selection.

CoinTerminal screenshots

FAQ: CoinTerminal’s FAQ page displays common questions about the platform · Oct 23, 2026

Lottery: CoinTerminal’s lottery page promotes monthly draws with a Mustang prize · Oct 23, 2026

What users say about CoinTerminal

There is insufficient user feedback available to identify distinct strengths or complaints about the platform.

Based on 1 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 23, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.

User reviews

No user reviews yet. Have you used CoinTerminal? Share your experience below.

FAQ

Who founded CoinTerminal?

CoinTerminal was founded by CEO Hassan Hatu Sheikh, a Web3 advisor who previously advised projects including StepApp, Inspect, and Polkastarter.

What fees does CoinTerminal charge?

There is a 0% fee to opt into presales, but users pay a 25% fee on won or allocated tokens.

Does CoinTerminal require token staking to join IDOs?

No, CoinTerminal requires no native token staking or holding to join token presales.

How does CoinTerminal's refund policy work?

Once a project's Token Generation Event occurs, participants have a 24-hour window to claim tokens. If tokens remain unclaimed, an automatic refund triggers and users can retrieve their full USDT contribution.

Is KYC verification required on CoinTerminal?

Users contributing under $5,000 do not need KYC to opt into sales, but must complete identity verification at token claim, while contributions of $5,000 or more require KYC upon winning.