Overview
Token Layer implements anti-sniping protection to ensure fair token launches and prevent malicious actors from exploiting new tokens in the first moments of trading.How It Works
Time-Based Fee Structure
When a new token is launched, the first 6 seconds of trading (calculated in blocks for each chain) has increased fees:Fee Calculation Example
Here’s how the fees decrease over time for a typical chain:| Time | Blocks | Fee Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 0s | 0 | 80% |
| 1s | ~0.5 | ~66% |
| 2s | ~1 | ~53% |
| 3s | ~1.5 | ~40% |
| 4s | ~2 | ~26% |
| 5s | ~2.5 | ~13% |
| 6s | 3 | 1% |
| 6s+ | 3+ | Normal fees |
Block times vary by chain. The 6-second window is converted to the equivalent number of blocks for each specific blockchain.
Who This Affects
All Initial Buyers
The anti-sniping fees apply to everyone buying in the first 6 seconds:- First buyer: Pays high fees if buying immediately
- Early buyers: Pay progressively lower fees as time passes
- Bots and snipers: Discouraged from instant exploitation
- Regular traders: Can wait 6 seconds for normal fees
Not Affected By
The anti-sniping protection does NOT affect:- Token creators: No fees on token creation
- Sellers: Only affects buy transactions
- Later buyers: After 6 seconds, normal fees apply
- Graduated tokens: After DEX migration, uses standard DEX fees
Why This Matters
Fair Launch
Ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to participate without bots dominating
Prevents Exploitation
Discourages snipers from extracting value immediately after launch
Protects Creators
Gives token creators time for their community to discover the token
Better Price Discovery
Allows organic price formation without immediate manipulation
Trading Strategy
Best Practices
When to Buy Early
Despite high fees, some traders buy immediately because:- Strong conviction in the token’s potential
- Willing to pay premium for earliest position
- Expecting significant price appreciation
- Supporting a specific creator or project
When to Wait
Most traders benefit from waiting because:- 6 seconds is minimal delay for massive fee savings
- Price won’t move significantly in 6 seconds on bonding curve
- Lower entry price improves potential returns
- Reduces risk of paying excessive fees
API Integration
The anti-sniping fees are automatically included in all API responses:Price Quotes
When you get a price quote, the returned amounts already include anti-sniping fees if applicable:Token Price API
Get quotes with fees automatically included
Trading Transactions
All trading endpoints factor in anti-sniping fees:Trade Tokens
Buy/sell with automatic fee calculation
Pool Data
Check token status and timing information:Get Pool Data
View token pool information and launch details
Technical Details
Block-Based Calculation
The system uses blocks (not wall-clock time) to ensure consistency:- Launch Block: Token creation block is recorded
- Current Block: Each transaction checks the current block number
- Block Difference: Calculates blocks elapsed since launch
- Fee Lookup: Maps block difference to fee percentage
- Linear Interpolation: Smooth fee decrease between blocks
Chain-Specific Implementation
Different chains have different block times:| Chain | Avg Block Time | Blocks in 6s |
|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | ~12s | ~0.5 |
| Base | ~2s | ~3 |
| BNB Chain | ~3s | ~2 |
| Arbitrum | ~0.25s | ~24 |
| Solana | ~0.4s | ~15 |
Quoter Integration
The Token Layer Quoter contract:- Reads current block number
- Calculates blocks since token launch
- Applies appropriate anti-sniping fee if within window
- Returns accurate quote including all fees
- No surprises at execution time
Comparison with Normal Fees
Normal Trading Fees (After 6 Seconds)
When anti-sniping period ends, normal fees apply:- Protocol Fee: ~0.3% to 1% depending on liquidity
- Creator Fee: Set by token creator (typically 0.2% - 2%)
- Gas Fees: Standard network costs
During Anti-Sniping Window
The increased fees replace normal fees temporarily:- Anti-Sniping Fee: 80% to 1% (decreasing)
- Creator Fee: Still applies on top
- Gas Fees: Standard network costs
After the 6-second window, the anti-sniping fee drops to 0% and normal protocol fees resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid anti-sniping fees?
Can I avoid anti-sniping fees?
Yes! Simply wait 6 seconds after token launch before buying. The fees automatically drop to normal levels.
Do sellers pay anti-sniping fees?
Do sellers pay anti-sniping fees?
No, anti-sniping fees only apply to buy transactions during the first 6 seconds.
What if I buy at exactly 6 seconds?
What if I buy at exactly 6 seconds?
The fee will be approximately 1%, which is the minimum of the anti-sniping period before transitioning to normal fees.
Do fees apply to graduated tokens?
Do fees apply to graduated tokens?
No, once a token graduates to external DEXes (Uniswap, PancakeSwap, etc.), it uses standard DEX fees instead.
How do I know if anti-sniping fees apply?
How do I know if anti-sniping fees apply?
Check the token’s launch time. If it launched less than 6 seconds ago, anti-sniping fees are active.
Can bots get around this?
Can bots get around this?
No, the fees are enforced at the smart contract level and apply to all transactions equally, including bots.
Related Documentation
How to Launch Tokens
Create your own token
How to Trade
Buy and sell tokens
Launchpad Overview
Learn about the launchpad