Meme Coins Unveiled: From Internet Culture to the Crazy World of Digital Assets

The collision of internet culture and the crypto world has given birth to a controversial yet resilient new phenomenon—meme coins. Unlike the technical focus of Bitcoin and Ethereum, these digital assets are driven primarily by community cohesion and speculative enthusiasm. From the birth of Dogecoin in 2013 to the frenzy of political figures issuing tokens in 2024-2025, meme coins have become one of the most talked-about topics in the crypto market.

What is a Meme Coin? Key Features Overview

A meme coin refers to a cryptocurrency based on internet memes, pop culture, or entertainment concepts. Unlike traditional coins aimed at solving technical issues, meme coins derive their value from community participation, cultural identity, and market speculation.

Core features include:

• Cultural DNA: Born from internet memes or trending topics, with strong entertainment attributes
• Community-driven: Form tight-knit fan communities around the coin, generating cohesion through resonance
• Limited utility: Lack practical use cases; mainly used for trading and transfers
• High volatility: Price swings far exceeding mainstream cryptocurrencies, with extremely high risks
• Social empowerment: Value heavily depends on opinion leaders and social media buzz

Interestingly, meme coins are sometimes confused with “shitcoins,” but supporters point out that many have accumulated massive community capital and achieved significant market caps—demonstrating their real influence within the crypto ecosystem.

A Brief History of Meme Coins: From Joke to Phenomenon

2013: Birth of Dogecoin

Dogecoin is the pioneer of meme coins. Created by two software engineers inspired by the popular “Doge” meme, it was originally just a joke. But this “joke” persisted and gained strong support from Elon Musk in 2021. To date, Dogecoin’s market cap has reached $62 billion, firmly ranking among the top ten cryptocurrencies globally.

2021-2022: Musk Effect

Elon Musk’s social media endorsements propelled Dogecoin into mainstream consciousness. Tweets like “Dogecoin is the people’s crypto” and “No highs, no lows, only Doge” triggered trading volume surges and price spikes.

2021: Regulatory Chill

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission launched a crackdown on meme coins, citing “lack of clear purpose and content” to impose bans. Meanwhile, the UK Advertising Standards Authority investigated Floki Inu’s ads, deeming them unregulated financial products.

2024-2025: Politicians Enter the Scene

Meme coins have entered the “political era.” Former US President Donald Trump launched $TrumpCoin three days before his second inauguration, with a market cap soaring to $27 billion in just one day (Trump’s business holdings worth $20 billion). Soon after, Melania Trump issued $Melania, which lost 90% of its value within six weeks.

Even more astonishing, the President of the Central African Republic announced a national-level meme coin, $CAR, on February 10, vowing it as a “national development experiment.” The coin plummeted 95% on its first trading day. Argentine President Milei also followed suit, launching $LIBRA on February 14, claiming to “stimulate Argentina’s economic growth.”

These events show that meme coins have evolved from internet jokes into real market forces, even attracting the attention of political figures.

How Meme Coins Work: Detailed Mechanism

Meme coins operate on blockchain technology, ensuring decentralized and secure transactions. Their core mechanisms include:

Blockchain foundation: Usually deployed on existing public chains (like Solana, Ethereum, Base), created by individuals or teams and launched into the market. By 2024, Solana and Base have become the preferred platforms for meme coin creation.

Token issuance: Most meme coins lack specific use cases, existing purely as tradable assets. As of early 2025, the global daily trading volume remains above $6 billion.

Community-driven: The unique aspect of meme coins is mobilizing fans around specific themes or entertainment content, often resulting in viral marketing effects. Many projects utilize smart contracts for staking or community rewards.

Market dynamics: Despite their entertainment origins, trading meme coins requires understanding market trends and risk management—high volatility is standard.

The choice of blockchain is crucial. Solana, with its low transaction fees and high speed, has become a hub for meme coin enthusiasts. As of January 2025, a platform like Pump.fun alone launched 5.3 million meme coins in 2024, averaging about 15,229 new projects daily.

Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum with fundamental support, meme coins rely entirely on belief, hype, speculation, and hope—they generally lack real utility and are just tradable virtual assets. Technically, meme coins on Ethereum follow the ERC-20 standard, while those on Solana use the network’s token standard, facilitating rapid project launches.

Market Stars: Top Meme Coins at a Glance

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Initially launched as a joke in 2013, Dogecoin has become a perennial favorite in the crypto market. In November 2024, Trump announced a new “Government Efficiency Department” token called DOGE, led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, further boosting its visibility.

Shiba Inu (SHIB)

Launched in August 2020 as the “Dogecoin killer.” Based on Ethereum and Japanese Shiba Inu culture, SHIB has transcended being just an ERC-20 token, offering smart contract and DeFi services.

Pepe (PEPE)

A meme token relaunched in 2023 inspired by the “Frog Pepe” meme. Aimed at entertaining crypto communities and encouraging creativity, it has become a serious trading asset with a market cap of $8.2 billion.

$Trump Coin

A political meme coin launched by Trump. Within less than 24 hours, its market cap exceeded $27 billion, setting a record in meme coin history. Early investors profited handsomely, but many retail investors later suffered losses totaling $2 billion.

$Melania

Launched on January 19, 2025, it depreciated 90% within six weeks.

Bonk (BONK)

A Solana ecosystem meme coin launched in 2022, integrating into dApp ecosystems and gaining real use cases, especially related to NFTs, with a market cap of $3 billion.

$HAWK

Launched by American influencer Hailey Welch in December 2024 (“hawk tuah” meme went viral), reaching a peak of $490 million. It then crashed to $25 million after being accused of pump-and-dump schemes and rug pulls.

New Political Indicators: $CAR, $LIBRA, etc.

The national meme coin announced by the President of the Central African Republic and Argentina’s $LIBRA indicate meme coins are entering the realm of sovereignty politics.

$CHILLGUY

Based on the “Just a chill guy” meme, gaining attention early 2025. Its relaxed branding appeals to crypto enthusiasts seeking community belonging.

These projects demonstrate the diversity of meme coin inspiration—from animals to politicians, from internet culture to national symbols—whose market influence has long exceeded expectations.

Investing in Meme Coins: Opportunities and Risks

The Attractive Side

1. High return potential: Viral spread and strong community effects have enabled some meme coins to achieve exponential growth within days
2. Community belonging: Join like-minded enthusiasts, gaining networking and learning opportunities
3. Low entry barrier: Lower prices compared to mainstream coins, suitable for beginners with limited capital
4. Learning opportunity: Understand blockchain and crypto markets in a relatively “low-risk” environment
5. Trading opportunities: For active retail traders, short-term profits are possible

The Hidden Dangers

1. Extreme volatility: $CAR depreciated 95% in a single day; $Melania fell 90% in six weeks—these are normal, not exceptions
2. Fraud rampant: Projects often run away, pump-and-dump schemes, outright scams are common
3. Lack of utility: Most meme coins have no purpose beyond trading; long-term value support is weak
4. Liquidity issues: Small meme coins often have thin trading volume, making it hard to sell at desired prices
5. Regulatory uncertainty: In February 2025, the US SEC stated typical meme coins are not securities, but this stance may change, impacting the market

Overall, meme coins are suitable for investors who enjoy high-frequency trading, can tolerate significant losses, and seek entertainment. But their volatility and fraud risks even surpass other crypto assets. The investment principle: only invest what you can afford to lose, and conduct thorough research before entering.

DIY Guide: How to Create a Meme Coin

Creating meme coins has become easier than ever.

Basic requirements

You don’t need coding skills or blockchain programming knowledge. Many websites offer automated tools, and the entire process takes just minutes. Usually, you only need a crypto wallet and a small amount of crypto to pay for blockchain and service fees (very low cost).

Step-by-step process

1. Visit a meme coin creation website and connect your wallet
2. Ensure your wallet has the necessary cryptocurrency to pay for creation
3. Set the token name
4. Choose the token symbol (character limit may apply)
5. Set decimal places (typically 9 for meme coins)
6. Enter total supply
7. Upload token logo (usually PNG format)
8. Write token description, include social media and website links
9. Select “meme” in tags
10. Click “Create Token,” confirm the transaction, and wait for deployment

Platform choices

By 2024, Solana and Base have become the top platforms for meme coin creation. They offer intuitive interfaces and low fees. On Pump.fun alone, from January 19, 2024, to January 1, 2025, over 5.3 million meme coins were launched—about 15,229 new projects daily.

Marketing and community building

Post-creation, success depends on community management:

• Build a website aligned with the coin’s theme
• Create social media accounts for promotion
• Engage in crypto forums
• Consider airdrops or giveaways to attract early attention
• Clarify project goals and roadmap

Legal considerations

While technically simple, legal risks are significant:

1. According to the SEC’s February 2025 statement, typical meme coins are not securities. Projects disguising as meme coins to evade laws are another matter
2. Fraud involving meme coins can face federal or state enforcement actions
3. Some jurisdictions have specific regulations on crypto creation and distribution; research local laws before proceeding

Creating meme coins is relatively easy technically, but building a successful project requires community engagement, transparency, and respect for regulatory frameworks.

Practical Guide to Buying Meme Coins

For investors interested in participation rather than creation, the general steps are:

Step 1: Open a trading account

Register on a crypto exchange supporting meme coins and complete KYC verification. Many mainstream exchanges offer meme coin trading pairs.

Step 2: Choose a purchase method

Common deposit channels include:

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• P2P trading
• Bank transfers
• Third-party payment services

Step 3: Spot trading

Log into the spot trading section, place an order. Common order types:

• Limit order: Set your buy price; executes when reached
• Market order: Buy immediately at current price
• Stop-limit order: Triggered at a set price, then places a limit order
• OCO (One Cancels Other): Combines stop-loss and take-profit orders

Step 4: Confirm transaction

Select target meme coin, input amount, confirm. Tokens will appear in your account.

Step 5: Manage holdings

Post-purchase options:

• Hold on the platform
• Transfer to cold wallet
• Swap for other cryptocurrencies
• Use in yield products

Security tips

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Transfer large holdings to cold wallets
• Conduct thorough project research
• Only invest what you can afford to lose

The Future of Meme Coins: Imagination and Reality

The future of meme coins is uncertain, but several trends are worth noting.

Influencer and political figure-driven tokens

Trump, Melania, and influencer Hailey Welch’s meme coins show that personal brand tokens may continue to attract markets.

Government involvement

The national meme coins announced by the Central African Republic and Argentina’s $LIBRA suggest governments might experiment with these as financial tools.

Institutionalization trend

In January 2025, three US wealth management firms announced plans to launch meme coin ETFs related to Trump and Musk. The Financial Times called it “casino-style speculation.” This indicates that institutional capital is still flowing in despite skepticism.

Regulatory maturity

In February 2025, SEC clarified that typical meme coins are not securities, mainly for entertainment and cultural purposes. Different countries have different attitudes: Thailand bans them outright; the UK considers them unregulated financial products. As markets mature, more detailed regulatory frameworks may emerge.

Integration and application expansion

Future meme coins may:

• Integrate into gaming, social media, and other ecosystems
• Develop more practical functions
• Leverage blockchain innovations for enhanced features

However, criticism persists. US investor David Einhorn commented: “We’ve entered the ‘Fartcoin’ phase of the market cycle… beyond trading and speculation, it has no obvious use and fails to meet unmet needs elsewhere.” Such skepticism reflects ongoing debates about the long-term viability of meme coins.

FAQs

Q: What exactly is a meme coin?
A: A cryptocurrency inspired by internet memes and pop culture. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, their value comes from community participation and speculation rather than technological innovation or utility.

Q: How to buy meme coins?
A: Register on a supporting exchange → complete KYC → deposit funds → place spot order → confirm purchase.

Q: Where to buy?
A: Major exchanges have meme coin trading pairs; smaller or new coins may only be available on decentralized exchanges (DEX) like Uniswap.

Q: How to create a meme coin?
A: Choose a blockchain platform → connect your wallet → use token creation tools to set name, symbol, supply → upload logo → pay fees → promote project (no coding needed).

Q: What is $TrumpCoin?
A: A political meme coin launched by former US President Trump three days before his second inauguration. Its market cap hit $27 billion on launch day, with Trump’s business holdings valued at $20 billion.

Q: Is Solana a meme coin?
A: No. Solana is a blockchain platform supporting meme coin deployment; many popular meme coins are built on Solana.

Q: Which meme coin will surge in 2025?
A: We do not make such predictions.

Q: What’s the difference between meme coins and regular crypto assets?
A: Meme coins are a subset of crypto assets. The former rely on community hype and speculation; the latter often have technical functions or practical use. Meme coins generally have lower utility.

Q: Is Dogecoin a meme coin?
A: Yes. Dogecoin is the most iconic meme coin—launched in 2014, supported by Musk since 2021, with a market cap of $62 billion, ranking in the top ten globally.

Q: Is XRP a meme coin?
A: Traditionally no. XRP is the native token of Ripple’s ledger, used for payments and cross-border transactions. Although “XRP meme coins” search volume is high, they usually refer to meme coins on the XRP ledger, not XRP itself.

Q: Why do people buy meme coins?
A: For various reasons: high potential returns, community belonging, low entry costs, learning opportunities, and trading fun.

Final Words

Meme coins are a fascinating blend of internet culture and the crypto universe, representing the openness and inclusiveness of the digital asset ecosystem. From Dogecoin’s inception to the phenomenon of political tokens, meme coins have endured tests of time and continue to thrive.

These assets are characterized by community-driven value rather than technological fundamentals, with extreme volatility and astonishing market caps. From fundraising to political recognition, meme coins are redefining what “value” means.

For investors, opportunities and risks coexist. To achieve substantial returns, thorough research and mental preparedness are essential. The key principle: invest cautiously, only what you can afford to lose, and understand the risks to enjoy the rewards.

As markets mature and regulatory frameworks develop, meme coins may transcend mere speculation, seeking new practical applications and utility. Regardless, this vibrant meme coin world has become an integral part of the crypto ecosystem. Do your homework, participate rationally, and perhaps you’ll find your own opportunities in this digital carnival.