Memecoin — More Than Just a Meme

Where Did Memecoins Come from and Why Did They Become Popular? 

A memecoin is a cryptocurrency inspired by humor, trends, political events, and various cultural phenomena. The first and most prominent representative of this sector is considered to be Dogecoin, which was created in 2013 as a parody of Bitcoin. The coin's logo features a Shiba Inu dog from the popular Doge meme. Years later, it became the most capitalized memecoin. 

The success of Dogecoin inspired a wave of new "joke" coins, such as Shiba Inu, Pepe, and Floki, which were also based on crypto memes. Why did they become so popular? The power of memecoins lies in community support and virality. They quickly become the subject of discussion on X, Reddit, Telegram, and TikTok, especially when they are backed by a large community or celebrity support. People join in for fun but stay because of FOMO — the fear of missing out on a chance to make quick money, as a memecoin can skyrocket by thousands of percent over a short period. 

How Do Memecoins Work on the Blockchain?

Memecoins function on the basis of blockchain technology, just like other cryptocurrencies. All transactions involving them, whether buying, selling, or transferring, are recorded in a distributed ledger and do not require the participation of intermediaries. This structure ensures transparency, security, and decentralization of transactions.

Most memecoins are created on existing blockchains, such as Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain, using smart contracts. These are programmable algorithms that control token issuance, trading operations, and bonus features — from staking to distributing rewards within the community.

How Are Meme Coins Different from Other Cryptocurrencies?

Memecoins, like other digital assets, are traded on exchanges and can generate profits. However, their features set them apart from traditional cryptocurrencies:

• Origin. The creation of joke assets is driven by crypto memes, trends, and viral campaigns rather than technological challenges or attempts to change the financial system. 
• Lifecycle. Success depends directly on fan support. Without a strong community, a memecoin cannot survive for long. 
• Speculative nature. Viral growth, caused, for example, by celebrity support, can be followed by an equally sharp decline after a wave of FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt). 
• Low fundamental value. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Solana, which are platforms for dApps, memecoins do not offer unique technology and do not solve specific problems. 

Popular Memecoins

We have prepared an overview of the most recognizable memecoins with high capitalization and a developed ecosystem.

Dogecoin

This is the first memecoin to enter the top 10 cryptocurrencies. Dogecoin uses technology similar to Litecoin, which ensures fast transaction processing and low fees. Despite the lack of limited supply, DOGE has gained recognition as a means of online payment and digital tipping.

In May 2021, the coin reached an all-time high of $0.73, showing an increase of over 15,000% since the beginning of the year. The main catalyst was Elon Musk's interest in it. Influenced by his statements and actions, the Doge rate repeatedly skyrocketed in 2024-2025 as well.

Shiba Inu 

This coin appeared in August 2020 and immediately positioned itself as the "Dogecoin killer." By 2021, SHIB had grown by millions of percent, and its market capitalization exceeded a record $40 billion. Unlike its predecessor, SHIB is built on Ethereum, which allowed for the creation of the decentralized exchange ShibaSwap (DEX). This event, as well as listing on major platforms and the memecoin boom that was observed during that period, contributed to the explosive growth of SHIB.

Pepe 

A new player that burst onto the market in April 2023, inspired by the cult internet character Pepe the Frog. Thanks to powerful viral support on social media and interest from the crypto community, PEPE quickly became a notable asset. Within the first month, the price rose by over 7,000%, turning minimal investments into tangible profits for early investors. Although the coin remains high-risk, its story is further proof of the viral potential of memecoins.

Floki

The token was created in the summer of 2021 and named after Elon Musk's dog. In just two weeks, the token's price jumped by more than 3,500%. FLOKI is actively promoted through large-scale marketing campaigns, including outdoor advertising and social media activity. The project team is developing an entire ecosystem: an educational platform, the Valhalla NFT metaverse, and other Web3 services. FLOKI is positioned as a bridge between meme culture and real-world applications in the blockchain environment.

How to Create Your Own Memecoin? 

Creating a memecoin is simple, especially if you have an idea and basic technical skills. Key steps: 

• Choose a foundation. A successful project starts with a viral or funny concept, such as crypto memes that are easy to remember. The simpler and more recognizable the image, the higher the chances of success.
• Create a token. Use platforms such as TokenMint, CoinTool, or Pinksale to create a token without any programming skills quickly. On their websites, you can find step-by-step instructions on how to create your memecoin. If you need unique functionality, develop a smart contract manually on Ethereum or Solana. 
• Launch via Launchpad. These are platforms for new projects that help attract early investors. DxSale, Gempad, Unicrypt, and other platforms allow you to launch a presale, raise initial funds, and attract a community. 
• Listing on an exchange. Add your token to a DEX (such as Uniswap or PancakeSwap) for trading. Later, when the project gains popularity, you can apply to a centralized exchange (CEX).

Where and How to Buy Memecoins?

You can buy memecoins through crypto exchanges or exchangers. DOGE, Shiba Inu, and other popular tokens are available on WhiteBIT, Binance, Bybit, and OKX. To make a purchase, you need to register on the platform you choose, top up your account, find the coin you want in the listing, and make a transaction. It is also worth taking care of the secure storage of memecoins. If you plan to hold coins for a long time, it is better to transfer them to a cold crypto wallet — hardware or software. Storage on an exchange is also possible, but less secure.

Advantages and Risks of Memecoins

Like traditional crypto assets, memecoins combine the potential for high returns with serious risks.

Advantages

Let's first look at the pros of meme assets: 

• Low entry threshold. Due to their accessibility, memecoins often become the first cryptocurrency for beginners. 
• Potential for quick profits. Due to hype and speculative interest, the value can rise sharply over a short period, especially in the early stages. 
• Viral nature and media support. Memecoins can quickly gain popularity thanks to social media and the influence of media personalities.

Risks

The main risk of memecoins is extreme volatility. The value of such tokens can skyrocket on a wave of hype and then crash just as quickly, often due to a single viral post.

Memecoins rarely have any real technological value or long-term vision — many are created solely for the sake of a trend that quickly fades away. Without practical use, a project usually has no prospects for growth or demand.

Moreover, the lack of regulation makes the memecoin market vulnerable. They easily become targets for fraudulent schemes, manipulation, and artificial price inflation (pump and dump strategies). 

Forecast: Which Memecoins Could Take Off in 2025? 

We have selected five comical projects with high growth potential. The memecoins that will take off are primarily cryptocurrencies backed by active communities, original ideas, and a viral effect. 

Wall Street Pepe (WEPE)

Combines the iconic image of Pepe with analytical tools for traders. The token offers access to strategies, staking, and community bonuses, with an emphasis on user engagement.

Crypto All-Stars (STARS)

Simplifies token management through cross-chain staking and MemeVault, a vault for popular coins such as DOGE and SHIB. Audits confirm the project's transparency, and its convenience makes it attractive to a wide audience.

CatSlap (SLAP)

The memecoin is based on the Slap-to-Earn model, which rewards active users. The asset is community-oriented, where every contribution is valued, whether it's staking or promotion on social media.

Bitcoin Bull (BTCBULL)

This crypto project offers a unique mechanism whereby token holders receive rewards when Bitcoin reaches new price milestones. The scarcity is created by burning tokens as BTC grows. Memecoin forecasts confirm that this feature could support the price of BTCBULL.

TRUMP (TRUMP)

The token was launched on January 17, 2025, on the eve of the inauguration of the current US President Donald Trump. Today, it is the most expensive memecoin, with a price exceeding $14 (as of May 9, 2025). The project's economy is based on commissions from trading operations, with about 80% of tokens controlled by Trump-affiliated companies and temporarily blocked. Like other memecoins, TRUMP is a fairly volatile asset. 

Conclusion 

Memecoins are a unique phenomenon in the crypto world. They have proven that even "joke" projects can become serious players in the market. Starting out as parodies, they have turned into assets with a market capitalization of billions, attracting millions of investors thanks to their virality, community support, and potential for rapid price growth. Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Pepe, and other tokens have shown how the power of memes and social media can create financial opportunities, but their high volatility and risks require caution.

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