In the world of cryptocurrency, timing is everything—and getting in early can turn modest investments into life-changing wealth. While many investors chase pumps after a token hits exchanges, the real fortunes are often made during crypto presale phases, where visionary backers get tokens at the lowest possible prices. From decentralized finance (DeFi) giants to viral meme coins, some of crypto’s biggest success stories began with early believers who spotted potential before the crowd.
In this article, we’ll dive into three legendary crypto projects that rewarded their presale investors with astronomical returns—and what we can learn from their journeys. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or new to crypto presales, these stories prove that patience, research, and a bit of luck can lead to incredible rewards.
1. Ethereum (ETH): The Presale That Built The Future Of Crypto
The Presale That Started It All
- When: July–August 2014
- Presale Price: ~$0.31 per ETH
- Peak Price: $4,878 (November 2021)
- ROI for Early Investors: Over 1,500,000%
How It Happened
Ethereum’s groundbreaking presale wasn’t just about raising funds—it was about building the foundation for smart contracts and decentralized apps (DApps). Vitalik Buterin and his team sold ETH at $0.31 per token, raising $18 million in Bitcoin—a massive sum at the time.
Key Lessons:
✅ Vision Matters: Ethereum wasn’t just another coin—it promised a new internet (Web3).
✅ Strong Team: Vitalik and co-founders had credibility in crypto circles.
✅ Long-Term Holders Won: Those who kept ETH until the 2021 bull run saw generational wealth.
Fun Fact: If you invested $1,000 in Ethereum’s presale, your holdings would’ve peaked at over $15 million.
2. Binance Coin (BNB): From Discounted Presale To Crypto Giant
The Binance Launchpad Presale
- When: June–July 2017
- Presale Price: $0.10 per BNB
- Peak Price: $686 (May 2021)
- ROI for Early Investors: Nearly 700,000%
How It Happened
Before Binance became the world’s largest crypto exchange, it launched BNB in a public presale to fund its development. Early buyers got BNB at $0.10, with bonuses for larger contributions.
Why It Succeeded:
🔥 Utility-Driven: BNB gave trading fee discounts on Binance—creating instant demand.
🚀 Exchange Growth: As Binance exploded, so did BNB’s value.
💡 Burn Mechanism: Binance burns BNB quarterly, reducing supply and boosting price.
The Result? A $1,000 presale investment would’ve been worth $6.8 million at BNB’s peak.
3. Shiba Inu (SHIB): The Meme Coin That Turned Presale Investors Into Millionaires
The Uniswap Fair Launch (2020)
- Initial Listing Price: ~$0.000000000056
- Peak Price: $0.000086 (October 2021)
- ROI for Early Investors: Over 150,000,000%
How It Happened
Unlike traditional presales, SHIB debuted via a liquidity pool on Uniswap, allowing anyone to buy in early. The Shiba Army—a hyper-engaged community—pushed SHIB to massive gains, turning tiny investments into millions.
Why It Worked:
🐶 Meme Power: SHIB leveraged DogeCoin’s hype but added its own twist.
🔥 Viral Community: The #SHIBARMY trended globally on Twitter.
🔄 Ecosystem Growth: ShibaSwap, Shibarium, and NFTs added real utility.
The Craziest Part? A $10 investment at launch would’ve been worth $15+ million at the peak.
What These Success Stories Teach Us About Crypto Presales
1. The Best Projects Solve Real Problems
- Ethereum = Smart contracts.
- BNB = Cheaper trading fees.
- SHIB = Community-driven DeFi.
2. Community & Hype Matter (But Don’t Rely On Them Alone)
- SHIB’s army made it viral, but utility kept it alive.
- BNB’s burn mechanism ensured long-term value.
3. Early Entry = Life-Changing Gains
- The biggest profits went to those who bought before exchanges.
- Crypto presales are where the real alpha happens.
4. Not Every Presale Moons—Do Your Research!
- For every Ethereum, there are 100 failed projects.
- Always check:
- Team background
- Tokenomics
- Roadmap
How To Find The Next 100x Presale Gem
Want to spot the next ETH, BNB, or SHIB? Follow these steps:
1. Follow Reputable Launchpads
- Binance Launchpad, Polkastarter, DAO Maker vet projects.
2. Join Crypto Alpha Groups
- Telegram, Discord channels share vetted presales.
3. Watch For Trends
- AI coins, gaming tokens, meme coins like MWAR could be next.
4. Never Invest Blindly
- Even “sure things” can fail—diversify and manage risk.
Will You Catch The Next Big Presale?
These three stories prove that crypto presales are where fortunes are made. While not every project will moon, the right bet at the right time can change everything.