Solana co-founder Anatoly “Toly” Yakovenko has weighed in on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s tongue-in-cheek idea to launch a “Trump Corruption Coin,” suggesting that if Newsom proceeds, it should be done through a fair and transparent launch.
Posting on X on September 3, Yakovenko wrote:
“LFG @GavinNewsom. Please use a fair launch protocol. There are tons of options available. @metaplex, a California native company, has an excellent option. (@gavelxyz and @MeteoraAG have options as well).”
He later followed up by tagging another developer and recommending a Dutch auction model for celebrity or parody tokens, continuing his push for more transparent token launches.
What Is a Dutch Auction?
A Dutch auction begins at a high starting price that gradually falls until buyers enter. In crypto, this mechanism sets a ceiling price that decreases until all tokens are sold or the minimum floor is reached.
The format is designed to:
- Encourage fairer token distribution,
- Prevent bots and insiders from scooping supply early,
- Let the open market decide the final price.
Yakovenko’s suggestion underscores his broader campaign for fair and open token launches. Even for satirical projects like Newsom’s proposed memecoin, he argued, transparent mechanisms help avoid favoritism and reduce chaos.