Opening a dictionary, each character has a clear definition and boundary. But recently, in the territory of blockchain, the boundaries of Chinese vocabulary have been completely broken—"I’m coming"、"Some platform’s life"、"Hajimi"—these products of internet culture, by early 2026, have turned into crypto assets, triggering a global frenzy of market capitalization surges and capital inflows in a speculative feast.
But as the excitement gradually subsides, a harsh reality stands before us: like flipping through a dictionary, chasing after new memes one by one, what is the endgame of this game? Can the value accumulated by tokens that surge dozens of times just because of a ridiculous name truly surpass the lifecycle of a dictionary?
**Celebration Moment: When Jokes Turn into Financial Assets**
The story begins with a joke on the internet. A senior executive of a major exchange once joked on social media, wishing users to drive luxury cars, move into upscale communities, and enjoy a good life. No one expected that a certain phrase in this statement would suddenly be isolated and incubated into a token on the blockchain, with a market cap once approaching $500 million. The power of a single sentence directly translated into a multi-billion dollar capital frenzy.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. In January 2026, a wave of Meme coins named after Chinese internet memes began sweeping through exchanges. These coins share obvious common features: they have no project whitepaper, no technical development team, and no practical application scenarios. Their only source of value is that their names can resonate collectively with Chinese internet users and spread rapidly through social media.
This storytelling-first, technology-later approach has created unprecedented appeal and engagement for retail investors familiar with internet culture. Because this time, assets are no longer abstract code or distant technology, but jokes and memes you can say every day and understand. Capital then flocked in, and each rise reinforced participants’ inner sense of identity.
**Reflection: How Long Can Cultural Resonance Last?**
This model seems to have found a new secret to financing. But problems also emerge—when everyone is chasing the next internet meme, and the market keeps producing new jokes, will prices necessarily face a correction after rapid rises? Can a token’s vitality truly be built on collective humor?
History tells us that after the hype subsides, what remains is often just a mess. And the funds that poured in at the peak will ultimately face the test of reality.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
12 Likes
Reward
12
9
Repost
Share
Comment
0/400
Codex007
· 4h ago
Emotional value is also value. Meme playing is about being outrageous and playing is about being exciting.
View OriginalReply0
CurrencyFuller
· 6h ago
In summary, isn't this just hot potato? The last person to catch it ends up hanging on the mountain top.
View OriginalReply0
PortfolioAlert
· 11h ago
Laughing out loud, isn't this just hot potato? The person who catches the last stick
View OriginalReply0
BackrowObserver
· 11h ago
Wait, isn't this just hot potato? Eventually, it'll end up in your hands.
View OriginalReply0
ContractExplorer
· 11h ago
Damn, this is the legendary "meme coin casino," where the thrill is in the heartbeat.
View OriginalReply0
WenMoon
· 11h ago
I'll say it directly: this wave of meme coins is just hot potato, whoever ends up holding the hot potato will be doomed.
View OriginalReply0
MemeEchoer
· 11h ago
Meme coins soaring and crashing wildly—aren't they just a harvesting tool for the little guys? Chasing new memes every day will eventually lead to getting caught at the top.
View OriginalReply0
probably_nothing_anon
· 11h ago
Basically, it's a game of hot potato; whoever catches the last stick is doomed.
---
The meme coin skyrocketed and then plummeted again. I've seen this routine too many times.
---
Laughing to death, expecting to profit without a white paper or team? That's just too transparent.
---
Cultural resonance can't be maintained; once the hype fades, everyone is just a bagholder.
---
A market cap of 500 million USD? They really treat jokes as money to spend.
---
The end result is a mess; if I had known, I would have bought in and sold out again.
---
That's the fate of meme coins: they get hot quickly and cool down just as fast.
View OriginalReply0
TheChenFamilyArmyHit
· 11h ago
The explanation truly marks the arrival of a new era in finance
Opening a dictionary, each character has a clear definition and boundary. But recently, in the territory of blockchain, the boundaries of Chinese vocabulary have been completely broken—"I’m coming"、"Some platform’s life"、"Hajimi"—these products of internet culture, by early 2026, have turned into crypto assets, triggering a global frenzy of market capitalization surges and capital inflows in a speculative feast.
But as the excitement gradually subsides, a harsh reality stands before us: like flipping through a dictionary, chasing after new memes one by one, what is the endgame of this game? Can the value accumulated by tokens that surge dozens of times just because of a ridiculous name truly surpass the lifecycle of a dictionary?
**Celebration Moment: When Jokes Turn into Financial Assets**
The story begins with a joke on the internet. A senior executive of a major exchange once joked on social media, wishing users to drive luxury cars, move into upscale communities, and enjoy a good life. No one expected that a certain phrase in this statement would suddenly be isolated and incubated into a token on the blockchain, with a market cap once approaching $500 million. The power of a single sentence directly translated into a multi-billion dollar capital frenzy.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. In January 2026, a wave of Meme coins named after Chinese internet memes began sweeping through exchanges. These coins share obvious common features: they have no project whitepaper, no technical development team, and no practical application scenarios. Their only source of value is that their names can resonate collectively with Chinese internet users and spread rapidly through social media.
This storytelling-first, technology-later approach has created unprecedented appeal and engagement for retail investors familiar with internet culture. Because this time, assets are no longer abstract code or distant technology, but jokes and memes you can say every day and understand. Capital then flocked in, and each rise reinforced participants’ inner sense of identity.
**Reflection: How Long Can Cultural Resonance Last?**
This model seems to have found a new secret to financing. But problems also emerge—when everyone is chasing the next internet meme, and the market keeps producing new jokes, will prices necessarily face a correction after rapid rises? Can a token’s vitality truly be built on collective humor?
History tells us that after the hype subsides, what remains is often just a mess. And the funds that poured in at the peak will ultimately face the test of reality.