It might surprise you that even internet jokes and memes can turn into cryptocurrency. They’re called memecoins, and their rise shows that nowadays a “successful” token often needs little more than a clever idea, catchy visuals, and a community that wants to have fun – and sometimes also make quick money.

What are memecoins?

Memecoins belong to the category of altcoins – cryptocurrencies that are not bitcoin. As the name suggests, they often take inspiration from trends, pop culture references, or downright silly ideas. They usually emerge to bring together a community that enjoys them, trades them, or uses them for simple peer-to-peer payments.

Funny websites, absurd slogans, and strong fan bases are the backbone of their marketing. The most famous examples are Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, or Pepe – together representing over 67% of the total market capitalization of all memecoins as of February 20, 2025.

How do they work?

Technically, memecoins don’t differ much from other cryptocurrencies. An individual or a team creates a token, often on an existing Blockchain, and starts promoting it. In 2024, the most popular platforms for launching new tokens included Solana and Base.

Most memecoins serve no real purpose beyond trading. Still, they have gained immense popularity among traders – in the first months of 2025 alone, their daily trading volumes regularly surpassed $6 billion.

To illustrate the scale: the platform Pump.fun recorded over 5.3 million memecoins launched between January 2024 and January 2025. That’s an average of 15,000 new tokens per day – on just one website.

What types of memecoins exist?

As outlined by platforms like CoinGecko, creators draw inspiration from virtually anything that resonates online. Common categories include:

• Dog-themed – dogs led by Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.

• Elon Musk-inspired – tokens reacting to the Tesla CEO’s tweets and statements.

• Frog-themed – especially those tied to the Pepe meme.

• PolitiFi – built around the names of politicians and public figures.

• AI meme coins – using artificial intelligence, for example by producing a “fart sound” with every transaction.

• Cat-themed, Solana memes, Base memes – plus dozens of other ideas following current trends.

It’s a world where internet culture turns into an investment asset – often more for amusement than for any serious long-term utility.

With humor and lightness

Memecoins show that the crypto world isn’t only about large projects and serious technologies but also about fun and community energy. If you enjoy internet culture and occasional trading, they can be a refreshing twist – a place where humor blends with speculation.

But it’s worth remembering one rule: do your own research, set clear limits, and don’t get swept away by the crowd. Most of these coins are created primarily to bring joy and entertainment. And that’s exactly the perspective worth keeping when approaching them.

Sources:

https://www.coingecko.com/en/categories/meme-token#key-stats

https://assets.coingecko.com/reports/2024/CoinGecko-2024-Annual-Crypto-Industry-Report.pdf

https://www.coingecko.com/en/categories/meme-token

https://assets.coingecko.com/reports/2024/CoinGecko-2024-Annual-Crypto-Industry-Report.pdf