Streamer Sam Pepper's Firework Stunt Leads to Pump.fun, Kick Bans and 16% Drop in NERVE Meme Coin Value

Executive Summary

British streamer Sam Pepper was banned from Pump.fun and Kick after injuring a young teen with a firework during a livestream promoting his NERVE meme coin, leading to a nearly 16% decline in its market capitalization.

The Event in Detail

On October 21, 2025, during a Diwali festival livestream in New Delhi, India, content creator Sam Pepper launched a firework that struck a young teen girl in the face, causing an injury that required medical attention. The victim sustained a cut above her eyebrow and received a butterfly stitch at a hospital before being released. Pepper stated he provided cash compensation to the victim's family for hospital fees. The incident, which was broadcast live, led to immediate repercussions for the streamer.

Following the event, Pump.fun co-founder Alon Cohen confirmed that Pepper was banned from the platform. Separately, Pepper was also banned from Kick, the streaming platform where he had cross-streamed the incident. The NERVE meme coin, which Pepper launched on Solana via Pump.fun, experienced a nearly 16% decrease in its market capitalization, falling to $148,000 within 24 hours of the incident, according to data from DEX Screener.

Market Implications

The immediate financial impact of the incident was observed in the NERVE meme coin's market performance, with a notable decline in its market capitalization. This event underscores the volatility and risk associated with influencer-driven meme coin promotions. It also highlights a recurring pattern of dangerous stunts performed by streamers to garner attention for their tokens; a previous incident involved a Solana developer suffering third-degree burns while attempting to promote a meme coin.

This incident contributes to a broader negative perception of the meme coin culture, particularly concerning the ethical boundaries of content creators leveraging such assets. It is anticipated to increase scrutiny on platforms like Pump.fun regarding content moderation and user conduct.

Expert Commentary

Pump.fun co-founder Alon Cohen publicly confirmed the ban of Sam Pepper from their platform shortly after the incident became widely known. This decisive action by Pump.fun reflects an institutional response to egregious user behavior, particularly when it results in physical harm and negative publicity. The platform had previously suspended its livestream feature due to widespread backlash over harmful and extreme content.

Broader Context

Pump.fun operates as a prominent Solana-based memecoin launchpad, characterized by its permissionless nature, which allows for the creation of new tokens with minimal oversight. While this model facilitates easy token launches, it has also garnered a reputation as a 'Wild West' environment due to the lack of vetting for new tokens and the prevalence of scams and rug pulls. The platform's prior decision to indefinitely suspend its livestream feature was a direct response to a series of alarming incidents, including fake suicide attempts, threats of violence, and other explicit acts performed to promote meme coins. This recent event involving Sam Pepper reinforces concerns about the ethical and safety implications within the largely unregulated ecosystem of meme coin promotion and decentralized platforms, prompting ongoing discussions about the need for robust moderation tools and content controls.