From inspiring innovation to KOL marketing, Moonshot user growth case study

Author: Oak Grove Ventures Investment Research Team

introduction

This article explores the key role of crypto payment solutions in driving the growth and wider application of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, which fundamentally revolutionize user experience and lower the threshold for use of blockchain technology.

This report analyzes the growth strategies and mechanisms behind Moonshot. Moonshot is a cryptocurrency platform that has achieved rapid user growth in its segments and gained strong appeal in the market. By studying how each platform succeeds, from leveraging KOL’s influence, focusing on product innovation, to designing an incentive-based ecosystem, we have gained an in-depth understanding of how to build sustainable growth models in the Web3 and meme coins, ultimately paving the way for a sustained innovation and a user-centric economic model.

The relationship between crypto payment and user acquisition

Crypto payments are particularly effective in driving user adoption because it simplifies traditional complex processes related to blockchain interactions such as wallet setup, private key management, and cumbersome transaction procedures. In addition, through convenient fiat currency deposit capabilities, these payment solutions provide users with a seamless experience of transitioning from traditional financial systems to cryptocurrencies, significantly lowering the barriers to entry, making it easier for new users (especially those who are not familiar with crypto technology) to actively participate in the blockchain platform.

Kaito is an excellent case of using payment capabilities to gain users, serving hedge funds, traders, researchers and developers around the world, demonstrating how seamless crypto payments can boost growth. In search of a scalable periodic payment solution, Kaito adopted Loop to eliminate manual billing, saving time and reducing operating costs. By integrating Loop into Stripe, Kaito now supports fiat and crypto subscriptions—across platforms like Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Smart Chain, Optimism, Arbitrum and Base—making it easier for users to choose their preferred payment methods, while also helping Kaito expand its global reach.

Encrypted payment settlement solution protocols like AEON further improve the accessibility and practicality of encrypted payments. AEON allows payers to use crypto assets from any blockchain or transaction account to settle transactions in the target chain or fiat currency preferred by the recipient, which simplifies the user experience and broadens the scope of application of digital assets. Since its launch last year, AEON has integrated with nearly 100 partners, including 4meme, Bitget Wallet, and TON, and currently supports payments to more than 1 million offline physical merchants in Southeast Asia. Its extensive integration demonstrates that effective crypto payment solutions can significantly increase user adoption by enabling seamless transactions and adapting to a wide range of ecosystems.

In addition, the current integration of the protocol with artificial intelligence agents opens up new possibilities for automated financial interactions. This includes empowering independent agents to complete real-world payment tasks, such as booking hotels, buying groceries, ordering coffee and delivery services. These advances are in line with AI-driven financial agency trends, where platforms like Coinbase’s AgentKit, integrated with OpenAI’s Agents SDK, equip AI agents with on-chain wallets, enabling them to conduct secure, internet-native financial transactions. This integration enables AI agents to independently manage service payments, access advanced data sources, and interact with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, improving operational efficiency and user experience. Similarly, in the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), projects like Helium Mobile have partnered with Sphere to provide new users with the option to pay for mobile plans using a variety of cryptocurrencies. By linking supported wallets such as Phantom, Coinbase and Solflare, users can pay a year-old service fee, adding flexibility and practicality to paying basic service fees in cryptocurrency. The convergence of AI-powered payment agents and simplified crypto payment protocols such as AEON demonstrates the increasing synergy between emerging technologies and creates a more efficient and easier-to-use crypto payment system for global users.

Growth Case: Moonshot

Moonshot is an application built on the Solana blockchain, designed to simplify the transaction process of meme coins and lower the threshold for ordinary users to enter the cryptocurrency market. Moonshot's core competitive advantage lies in its deep understanding and precise grasp of the meme currency market, as well as the convenient fiat currency deposit channels it provides, such as Apple Pay, credit cards and PayPal. These payment methods enable users to easily convert fiat currency into cryptocurrencies.

1. Early influence of KOL

The well-known KOL Murad (MustStopMurad) is an important promoter of Moonshot's early organic traffic:

Murad's endorsement: In July, Murad expressed his strong optimism about Moonshot on Twitter, which sparked a surge in attention. In September, his influence further magnified after delivering the "Memecoin Supercycle" speech at the Token2049 Summit in Singapore.

Taking advantage of Meme coin craze: The market value of the "SPX 6900" that Murad called for orders during the same period soared from less than US$9 million to US$900 million. Moonshot has launched the token in advance, establishing its reputation as "exploring high-potential tokens in the early stage".

By accumulating momentum with the recommendations of the top KOLs and launching potential tokens in advance, Moonshot has established itself as the preferred platform for high-growth Meme coins.

2. Taking advantage of the hot Meme coin project to achieve growth

After the $MOODENG price went online before it rose sharply, Moonshot's growth broke through the early circle:

• Listing effect: After the price of $MOODENG continues to climb, Moonshot actively promotes this success on official social channels, emphasizing record trading volume and rising token prices.
• Joint interactions with Meme Coin Community: $MOODENG's official Twitter account also responded, often recommending Moonshot as the preferred platform for buying its tokens. This natural collaborative marketing further expands Moonshot's popularity and credibility.

Because of the "hot" Meme coins launched in advance many times, Moonshot is positioned as an early discovery platform, attracting new projects to actively apply for online launch and encouraging the community to trade on Moonshot.

3. Official interaction with KOL

Moonshot's Twitter strategy focuses on amplifying the community and KO's L content:

• Share KOL's posts: Retweet and comment frequently on KOLs' discussions about Moonshot.
• Giveaway Events: Attract new users through activities such as giveaway
• Show profitability: Highlight screenshots of users' high returns and emphasize successful cases.
• Hot Topics and Community Support: Participate in discussions on popular market news and create a friendly and supportive environment for new users.

4. "Moonshot Had It First"

It's a simple but interesting strategy: Moonshot often forwards notices from competitors or partners, with the slogan "Moonshot Had It First". This subtle message demonstrates Moonshot’s role as a pioneer, subtly highlighting Moonshot’s record of early innovations and launch projects, positioning Moonshot as the original leader in the field.

5. New ways to pull

5.1. Recommended rewards on the App

Moonshot offers up to $100 recommended rewards, but with the following restrictions:

• Regional restrictions: US, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan users
• Deposit requirements: A minimum of USD 20 is required to recharge fiat currency into the account to obtain the reward qualification
• Reward collection process: Both the recommender and the recommended person need to click the "Receive" button to obtain free meme coins.

While the recommendation program looks straightforward, it cleverly requires users to deposit $20 to eventually receive a reward, ensuring that users are truly willing to participate and filter out registered users with lower intentions.

5.2. Social Media Recommendation Rewards

Moonshot encourages users to share recommendation links through Twitter, and Moonshot will provide 50% of the recommended transaction fee share as a reward. This activity has also triggered the spread of KOL's assistance.

5.3. Rumors on Reddit

Some discussions on Reddit claim that users can earn between $3 and $100 without depositing and registering. Although unproven, this hot debate has increased the platform's popularity and sparked curiosity. However, according to official channels' documents, the recharge requirement of $20 was finally confirmed.

Key points: Through high rewards combined with recharge threshold, Moonshot ensures the quality of user growth and screens real traders.

6. Cooperate with MoonPay – access to third-party payments

**6.1. Eliminate technical barriers: Simplify conversion of fiat and

cryptocurrencies**

Moonshot's integration with MoonPay enables seamless legal deposits through Apple Pay, credit cards and PayPal, effectively connecting the Web2 and Web3 ecosystems. This eliminates users' troubles with complex blockchain processes such as wallet setup, gas fee management, or private key storage.

According to Gate.io Learn, “User Growth Structure: Of the 204,000 new users, 83% completed their first deposits through Apple Pay/PayPal, with an average deposit amount of $420 per transaction.” These data highlight the dominance of Web2-friendly payment methods in attracting non-crypto-native retail investors, especially those who are interested in meme coins speculation but are denied by the cumbersome processes of traditional blockchains.

MoonPay’s access allows Moonshot to attract users who are ignorant of blockchain, which is exactly the same as the simplicity of traditional payment applications such as PayPal. This is crucial to attract retail investors who seek low thresholds to acquire Meme coins.

6.2. Fiat currency dominates trading volume

Fiat currency trading has become the backbone of Moonshot trading activities, especially during the high-profile Meme currency issuance:

Example of $TRUMP:

Within 12 hours after $TRUMP went live, Moonshot's new user base soared, with $400 million in fiat deposits flowing into Moonshot through MoonPay, setting a platform record. This accounts for about 65% of Moonshot's historical transaction volume during the event.

During the peak of $TRUMP, weekly trading volume soared to $1.73 billion, with fiat currency trading accounting for more than 80% of total inflows.

Overall trend:

On average, 60-70% of daily trading volume on Moonshot comes from fiat currency purchases, especially on popular Meme coins such as SPX6900 and GOAT.

6.3. Liquidity protection during the period of surge in demand

During a surge in demand, MoonPay played a key role in enhancing Moonshot's liquidity. When $TRUMP purchases on the platform exhausted cryptocurrency reserves, MoonPay received a $160 million emergency loan ($100 million from Galaxy Digital and $60 million from Ripple) to prevent transaction failures during the explosive $THUMP release on Solana.

MoonPay initially estimated demand at $50 million, and after a sharp surge in transaction volume, its request doubled to $100 million, ensuring uninterrupted transactions for 750,000 new users. After the traditional banking business resumed, MoonPay repaid the loan, thus strengthening Moonshot’s reputation as a reliable, retail-friendly platform that enables seamless fiat to cryptocurrency conversion during high volatility events.

Summary and Conclusion

Moonshot leverages KOL-driven marketing and community-centric strategies to drive rapid growth. However, their core approach is different:

Key points of growth:

• KOLs and the community: Establishing strategic partnerships with well-known KOLs or reciprocal promotion with popular projects can accelerate brand awareness.
• Incentive to high-quality users: Whether through user deposits or content quality, setting meaningful thresholds or providing rewards can ensure higher user participation.
• Show results cases: Highlighting success stories can inspire trust and gain media attention.
• Scaling through ecosystem tools: voting platforms, recommendation systems and OTC markets can promote deeper engagement and self-sustaining user adoption cycles.
• Access to fiat payments: Integrating simple fiat currency deposit methods (such as Apple Pay, credit cards, or PayPal) can greatly reduce the entry barriers for users who are not familiar with blockchain technology, thereby accelerating wider adoption.
• Improve user convenience with automatic crypto payments: Encrypted-based subscriptions and automatic transactions simplify the user experience and attract crypto-native users who prefer direct-chain payments.
• Token incentives: Providing token rewards and cryptocurrency-based participation incentives can improve user retention, engagement and long-term loyalty.

In conclusion, Moonshot’s success highlights the importance of innovative inspiring design, strong impact (KOL) support, convenient use of crypto payment solutions and authentic community engagement in driving sustainable growth. By combining these strategies, emerging projects can replicate (and possibly surpass) the rapid expansion seen in this case study, further enriching the wider Web3 landscape.