If you're diving into the world of Solana meme tokens, you know how crucial it is to have smooth, reliable transactions. Whether you're building a token launcher, a trading bot, or a community-driven app, dropped transactions can kill the vibe during a pump. That's where Gateway comes in—a high-performance aggregator designed to supercharge your Solana projects by optimizing transaction delivery.

Recently, Kunal Bagaria from Sanctum dropped a thread on X that's got the community buzzing. They're offering an extra $10,000 in prizes for the best projects in the Cypherpunk Hackathon that incorporate Gateway. The Cypherpunk Hackathon, powered by Colosseum and running until October 30, 2025, is a global online event with over $500,000 in total prizes across categories like DeFi, consumer apps, and more. For meme token builders, this is a golden opportunity to level up your project while competing for big rewards.

Gateway isn't just another tool; it's the go-to platform for sending transactions on Solana. It handles simulations, compute unit assignments, prioritization fees, and routing to methods like RPCs, Jito, or Helius—all to maximize landing rates and minimize costs. Think of it as your secret weapon for handling high-volume meme token activities without breaking the bank.

Ready to plug it in? Here's a step-by-step guide based on Kunal's thread to get you started quickly.

Step 1: Sign Up and Create a Project

Head over to gateway.sanctum.so and sign up. Once you're in, create a new project by giving it a simple name. This sets up your dedicated space for managing transactions.

For a visual walkthrough, check out this demo video.

Step 2: Add Delivery Methods

Navigate to the "Delivery Methods" page. Here, you can add options like RPC endpoints, Jito for bundled transactions, Helius Sender, or stick with the default Sanctum Sender. This flexibility lets you customize how your transactions are sent based on your needs.

See it in action with this short video.

Step 3: Configure Transaction Routing

On the right sidebar, tweak the "Transaction Routing" settings. This is like setting ratios for how transactions are distributed across your delivery methods. It's optional but super useful for load balancing and testing different setups.

Watch the configuration demo to get it right.

Step 4: Grab Your Endpoint URL

Look at the bottom-left sidebar for your unique endpoint URL. Copy this and use it in your code for all network requests to Gateway. It's that straightforward.

Here's a quick video guide.

Step 5: Building Your Transaction

Now, construct your unsigned transaction as usual. Then, call the buildGatewayTransaction method on Gateway. This smart function does a lot behind the scenes:

• Simulates the transaction and runs preflight checks.
• Assigns compute units based on estimates.
• Sets prioritization fees.
• Adds tip instructions per your routing config.
• Grabs the latest blockhash, adjustable for expiration.
• Returns the encoded transaction ready for signing.

Step 6: Sending Your Transactions

Sign the transaction you got back, then use the sendTransaction method. Gateway handles the rest:

• Routes based on your config.
• Maximizes landing success.
• Load-balances across methods.

Why Gateway is a Game-Changer for Meme Token Projects

Gateway offers some killer benefits, especially for meme token devs dealing with volatile markets:

• Cost Savings on Jito Bundles: Send via RPC and Jito simultaneously—if it lands via RPC, get your Jito tip refunded. Projects like Jupiter Exchange save hundreds of thousands annually this way.
• Developer Efficiency: Real-time observability means you can monitor transactions and tweak settings without redeploying code.
• No-Fuss Sending: Use Sanctum Sender for just 0.0001 SOL per tx—way cheaper than alternatives.
• Advanced Routing for Teams: Round-robin distribution for benchmarking and load balancing multiple RPCs or senders.

For the full scoop, dive into the Gateway docs. If you're entering the hackathon via Superteam, check out their earn listing.

Still got questions? Hit up Kunal on X @kb24x7 or Telegram (@kunalbagaria) for onboarding help.

This integration could be the edge your meme token project needs in the Cypherpunk Hackathon. With Solana's meme ecosystem booming, tools like Gateway ensure your builds are robust and ready for prime time. Get building and good luck snagging those prizes!