How to spot a honeypot token

Why this matters

Honeypots are designed to look like winners. The damage is total — you cannot exit at all — so prevention is the only defense.

Step by step

1. Confirm normal wallets can sell. Check the transaction history for successful sells from ordinary (non-deployer) wallets. If only the deployer ever sells, suspect a honeypot.
2. Check freeze authority. A live freeze authority can freeze your token account after you buy, blocking sells. Confirm it is renounced.
3. Inspect the sell tax. An extreme sell tax (approaching 100%) is a soft honeypot — technically sellable, practically not. Verify the tax both ways before buying.
4. Run a honeypot simulator. Use a checker that simulates a sell to detect transfer restrictions or blacklists before you commit real funds.
5. Be wary of all-green charts. A chart with zero red candles and no visible sells is a flashing warning that selling may be blocked.
6. Test small if unsure. If you must engage and any doubt remains, buy a tiny amount and immediately attempt a sell to confirm exits work before sizing up.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying without confirming anyone else has sold.
• Ignoring a live freeze authority.
• Overlooking a near-100% sell tax.
• Trusting an all-green chart as bullish.
• Sizing up before confirming you can exit.

Quick checklist

• ☐ Successful sells from normal wallets confirmed
• ☐ Freeze authority renounced
• ☐ Sell tax checked
• ☐ Honeypot simulator run
• ☐ All-green chart treated as suspicious
• ☐ Small test sell if any doubt