Rug pull and fake liquidity scams#
Last modified: August 10, 2026
A rug pull is a scam where a token creator, promoter, or privileged wallet removes value from a project after attracting buyers. In a DEX, this often involves fake, thin, concentrated, or suddenly removed liquidity.
Liquidity is what lets users swap in a pool. On Centurion, pools may use v2 or v3 mechanics. A token having a pool does not mean the token is endorsed by Centurion Labs.
What it looks like#
A new token launches with a CTN pair and heavy promotion. The chart rises as buyers enter. Then the creator removes most of the liquidity or moves a v3 position out of the active price range. When you try to sell, the output is tiny, the price impact is extreme, or no useful route is available. The token still exists, but the market you expected is gone.
Common liquidity tricks#
Attackers may:
- Add enough liquidity to look legitimate, then remove it after buyers arrive.
- Use v3 ranges that appear large but are not active near the current price.
- Pair the token with another risky or illiquid token instead of CTN or WCTN.
- Claim liquidity is locked when another privileged path remains.
- Wash trade between controlled wallets to create fake volume.
- Combine pulled liquidity with honeypot rules or high sell fees.
A visible liquidity number, chart, or lock claim is not a guarantee that ordinary users can exit.
Checks before buying#
- Check the actual pool, not only the token's social posts.
- Look at liquidity depth, recent add and remove events, and v3 active ranges.
- Review whether a small sell and a normal-size sell would both route with acceptable price impact.
- Check whether ownership, admin roles, or liquidity positions can change suddenly.
- Treat new pools, anonymous teams, and guaranteed-profit claims as higher risk.
- Use token warnings as one signal, not as investment advice.
If liquidity disappears#
Do not trust private messages offering to restore trading or whitelist your wallet. Preserve transaction hashes, pool addresses, token addresses, and promotional claims. Report the incident through official channels and appropriate platforms.