In this article, we will define a memecoin, understand their characteristics, and see how they differ from other altcoins.
What is a Memecoin really?
To put it lightly, memecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that takes inspiration from internet memes, jokes, or trending cultural phenomena.
Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are designed with specific technological goals or applications in mind, memecoins are generally created as humorous, light-hearted, or satirical projects.
They operate on a blockchain, more often on Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain or Solana.
So essentially, memecoins operate much like any other blockchain-based token. But they differ for their rapid creation, community and-meme-centered marketing. They also rely on viral trends to drive value. Think Dogecoin and Shiba Inu? They are the prime examples.
Are Memecoins the party animals of the Crypto Zoo?
Memecoins act as the internet’s glitter bombs. So let’s explore some of their characteristics.
Memecoins thrive on wild fanbases hyping them up on X or Reddit. They operate as digital cheer squads of these tokens.
Their value swings harder than a viral dance challenge. One tweet can send prices soaring 1,000% or tanking by sundown. Remember when Elon Musk drove Dogecoin’s price up by simply tweeting?
One of the greatest things about Memecoins is the fact that anyone with a laptop and a meme idea can launch one. Thousands exist, making crypto feel like a playground.
These coins are a gamble. Prices are wild, scams lurk, and some countries are cracking down with regulations.
The Roots of Memecoins: From humble beginnings to viral sensations
The origins of Memecoins date back to November 2013. Billy Markus, a coder took the in-game currency from Animal Crossing and turned it into a crypto joke.
Then he blended gaming nerdery with blockchain and created Bellscoin, also known as Bells. Although it is a little known fact, this is the OG Memecoin in the memeverse.
Then came the legend: Dogecoin (DOGE)
Just a month later, in December 2013, Billy teamed up with Jackson Palmer after a tweet joking about a “dog” + “coin” mashup, featuring the
iconic Shiba Inu from the “Doge” meme.
Although this was pure satire, the internet lost its mind and fell in love.
Besides, Dogecoin’s low price and chill vibes made it a hit for tipping online and funding charities. Then of course, celebrity endorsements drove prices. Elon Musk, considered the “Dogefather,” simply tweeted,
“One word: Doge” and sent prices soaring 20% in a day.
Then when Tesla started accepting DOGE for merch in 2021, it cemented Dogecoin as a crypto rockstar. In fact, people almost didn’t believe it. There were many internet jokes and internet memes around selling merch like bags in exchange for a Tesla pickup.
Fun Fact
Dogecoin maker Billy Markus sold his DOGE stash in 2015 for the price of a used Honda Civic, after community drama and job loss. He revealed this in an open letter on Reddit leaving room for much speculation as to how rich he would have been in February 2021 when the coin saw a 900% surge.
Interestingly enough, back in May 2010 Laszlo Hanyecz exchanged 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas, giving birth to Bitcoin Pizza Day.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) crashes the party
Shiba Inu (SHIB) literally entered the party as the “Dogecoin killer.”
The token was anonymously launched by someone called Ryoshi on Ethereum.
SHIB was handled differently. Half the coins were locked away and the other half was sent to Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin, who donated a chunk to India’s COVID relief and burned the rest.
SHIB’s early buyers became millionaires overnight, proving memecoins can turn memes into serious money.
How are Memecoins different from traditional Cryptocurrencies?
Memecoins and traditional cryptocurrencies differ fundamentally in terms of their purpose, technological base, value proposition, and market dynamics.
For instance, traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or BNB Coin are built with clear goals. They are often, decentralization, creating new payment rails, enabling programmable contracts, or serving as stores of value.
Memecoins on the other hand, originate primarily from internet culture, humor, or memes, gaining traction due to viral trends, than with technological or financial ambitions.
Moreover, the value of traditional cryptocurrencies is driven by adoption, underlying utility and technological innovation. Memecoins on the other hand are driven by social media hype, community engagement, and market sentiment. This is why these tokens experience sharp price swings.
Traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin generally show greater market stability, higher liquidity, and attract long-term investors. For instance major companies like Strategy and Metaplanet keep growing their Bitcoin reserves.
However, survival and price of Memecoins depend largely on maintaining internet attention and the enthusiasm of their communities.
Another aspect of traditional cryptocurrencies is that they are often developed by transparent, public-facing teams with published roadmaps and ongoing technological progress.
Meanwhile, many memecoins are launched anonymously, with minimal updates after launch and less transparency about the project’s future.
So in essence, while both memecoins and traditional cryptocurrencies are forms of crypto assets, memecoins focus on virality and entertainment, whereas traditional cryptocurrencies are built around robust technical and economic foundations.
The Explosion of Memecoins
Memecoins are a hot topic right now. In fact, many believe altcoin season is here. The thrill of quick riches paired with FOMO, celebrity X posts, and whale moves are constantly driving Memecoin prices.
ETF analyst Eric Balchunas recently said that the United States may have the first ever meme coin focused (ETF) by 2026.
Additionally, platforms like Pump.fun let anyone launch a token fast and easy. Solana stars like BONK and PEPE have gone wild, with BONK skyrocketing 10,000% in 2023.
Social media challenges and giveaways constantly keep the hype alive.
With 2024’s U.S. election fever spilling into 2025, tokens like MAGA memecoin (inspired by “Make America Great Again”) are riding Trump’s pro crypto wave.
Though not officially tied to him, MAGA’s price doubles on spicy tweets or poll swings.
Other Trump-themed coins like $TRUMP or SUPERTRUMP also cash in on viral moments, turning headlines into tradable memes.
What does the Future of Memecoins look like?
In 2025, a Memecoin is a billion dollar party that started with Bellscoin’s gaming nod and Dogecoin’s meme magic.
Elon Musk is still hyping DOGE and Shiba’s community keeps it spicy, while Solana’s low cost tech fuels the frenzy.
Critics call them bubbles, but fans say they’re crypto’s fun side.
For all we know, the next top Memecoin could be a viral cat video or a TikTok dance. And we are here for it!
People Also Asked about Memecoins
Where to buy memecoins?
You can buy memecoins on both centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized exchanges (DEXs), depending on which coin you want and your preferred method.
How to buy memecoins?
- Create an Account or Wallet: Register on a CEX, or set up a compatible wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, etc.) for DEXs.
- Deposit Funds: Use fiat (USD, EUR, INR, etc.) or transfer crypto to your account or wallet.
- Choose and Buy: Select your memecoin—always verify the token’s contract to avoid scams—and purchase it using available trading pairs (like USDT/MEME).
- Store Safely: Keep your assets in your account or move them to a secure wallet (hot or cold).
Will memecoins go up?
The future of memecoins is uncertain and highly volatile, but several factors and predictions suggest both potential gains and significant risks.
Memecoins may go up, especially during bursts of market enthusiasm in 2025, but gains are unpredictable and come with a high risk of loss.
Who made memecoin?
The origins of Memecoins date back to November 2013. Billy Markus, a coder took the in-game currency from Animal Crossing and turned it into a crypto joke. However, the most popular memecoin is Dogecoin (DOGE), which was launched as a satirical project, aiming to poke fun at the speculative and hype-driven nature of the cryptocurrency market at the time. Dogecoin quickly became popular due to its lighthearted branding, use of the famous Shiba Inu “Doge” meme, and active online community.
Who owns memecoin?
Memecoins do not have a single owner. Instead, they are typically held by a decentralized network of holders (investors, traders, and users) around the world. Ownership in most memecoin projects is distributed across thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of individual wallets.
