CMC power is so strong that coin developers list their coin on CMC before adding it to an exchange.
I am pretty sure that the quoted part is not correct. I remember reading about their listing requirements in the past. To be listed on CMC your coin has to be publicly traded on an exchange with a decent daily trading volume. I am not sure of the volumes but the info can probably be found in CMC docs.
Yes, coinmarketcap seems to have quite a few criteria for listing a coin / token:
Note that these are just the minimum requirements and meeting them does not guarantee a listing.
(1) Cryptoassets
For a cryptoasset to be considered for a tracked listing, it must meet the following prerequisites:
- Leverage cryptography, consensus algorithms or distributed ledgers, peer-to-peer technology and/or smart contracts to function as a store of value, medium of exchange, unit of account, or decentralized application.
- Must have a functional website and block explorer.
- Must be traded publicly, and actively traded on at least one (1) exchange (with material volume) that has tracked listing status CoinMarketCap.
- Provide a representative from the project with whom we can establish open lines of communication for any clarifications.
But there are still more points, the ones above are only the minimum requirements. Here are more details from coinmarcetcap, it's a very long list:
https://support.coinmarketcap.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034124351-Listings-Criteria (Section C)