“Due to current market conditions, we now identify as a meme coin,” has become a saying in the crypto community recently. Memecoins have really become a force to reckon with.

But what makes memecoins tick? Why have they become so popular? And how do they actually work? In this blog, we’ll explore the evolution of memecoins, the strategies behind their growth, and provide examples that highlight their influence on the crypto market.

Memecoins are cryptocurrencies inspired by viral internet trends or memes, often lacking the technological ambition of more traditional cryptos like Bitcoin or Ethereum. They are typically created for fun or as a satire of the cryptocurrency space but can gain immense value through community engagement and hype. Popular examples include Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB).

While Bitcoin aims to revolutionize finance and Ethereum builds a decentralized platform for smart contracts, memecoins derive their value from social media buzz, community-driven marketing, and a strong sense of belonging among their holders.

Memecoins are usually low in price, making them accessible to a wide audience. For example, in its early days, you could buy millions of Shiba Inu tokens for just a few dollars. This "get in cheap" mentality attracts new investors who are looking for the next big thing in crypto, hoping that their modest investments could someday turn into massive gains.

Ex**:** Low token prices often attract small retail investors who can easily accumulate large numbers of coins, contributing to their viral spread.

One of the most notable aspects of memecoins is their loyal and active communities. Memecoins thrive on internet culture, where communities on platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Discord share memes, discuss price predictions, and spread excitement. For example, r/dogecoin on Reddit has over 2 million members, all rallying around the meme-driven project.

Ex**:** Creating engaging, meme-worthy content on social media and encouraging community members to share it helps build momentum and excitement. Memecoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu owe much of their success to their viral marketing and meme culture.

The power of celebrity endorsements has played a significant role in propelling memecoins into the mainstream. Elon Musk’s tweets about Dogecoin, for instance, caused its price to skyrocket multiple times. The endorsement of a celebrity can instantly boost awareness and attract new investors.

Ex**:** Leveraging influential figures or partnering with social media influencers can have a huge impact on a memecoin’s popularity. Even a single tweet can spark a buying frenzy, as was the case with Dogecoin after Musk’s famous “Dogecoin to the moon” tweets.

In the cryptocurrency space, FOMO is a powerful force. As news of memecoins gaining thousands of percentage points in value spreads, new investors rush in, hoping to not miss out on life-changing gains. This hype can cause a rapid increase in price, fueling further speculation and media attention.

Ex**:** Creating hype around potential price increases, exclusive events, or time-sensitive opportunities can fuel FOMO. Limited-time staking opportunities or exclusive NFTs tied to a memecoin can drive investment.

Dogecoin started as a joke but became the first memecoin to gain mainstream attention. Initially created in 2013 by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, Dogecoin was intended to poke fun at the cryptocurrency space. Fast forward to 2021, and Dogecoin reached a market cap of over $80 billion, driven largely by retail investors and celebrity endorsements.

Ex: Dogecoin benefited from its strong online community and consistent media attention. It also gained legitimacy through charitable initiatives, such as raising funds to sponsor NASCAR drivers and sending athletes to the Olympics.

Shiba Inu was launched in 2020 as a "Dogecoin killer." It capitalized on the success of Dogecoin by building a community-driven project with an expansive ecosystem, including its own decentralized exchange (ShibaSwap). Shiba Inu’s price surged by over 50,000,000% from its early 2020 price to its all-time high in 2021.

Ex**:** Shiba Inu differentiated itself by introducing use cases like staking and launching a decentralized exchange. It further built credibility through partnerships and extensive token burns to reduce the total supply, making the coin more attractive to investors.

Launched in 2023, Pepe Coin was another memecoin that rode the wave of internet culture. Tied to the infamous "Pepe the Frog" meme, this coin quickly gained popularity thanks to its nostalgic appeal and rapidly growing community. Pepe also introduced unique NFT collections and tokenomics that captured investor interest.

Ex**:** Pepe leveraged meme nostalgia and the launch of exclusive NFTs to boost its value and engagement, attracting both crypto and meme culture enthusiasts.

The crypto market has been buzzing after a record-breaking Bitcoin rally, with memecoins also reaching new heights as we approach altcoin season.

GOAT and AI16z: GOAT, also known as Goatseus Maximus, is an AI-driven meme coin that’s captured attention with its viral rise. With a $500 million market cap, its growth is fueled by its AI prophet character, Truth Terminal, and a devoted fanbase. This is part of a wider trend of AI-based meme coins, including AI16z, gaining traction in 2024.

PNUT (Solana-based meme coin): Solana’s PNUT coin surged after being listed on Binance, marking a significant move for Solana’s meme coin ecosystem. This high-risk, high-reward token is emblematic of the growing interest in meme coins, which are gaining momentum on major exchanges like Binance.

While many memecoins lack utility, some are beginning to integrate real-world applications. Shiba Inu’s launch of ShibaSwap and its plans for a blockchain game highlight a shift toward providing tangible value to their ecosystems.

Memecoins and NFTs are a natural match. Memecoins could allow holders to mint exclusive NFTs, as seen with Pepe Coin. This intersection of digital assets and meme culture offers additional value to token holders.

As blockchain technology evolves, data availability and security will become increasingly important. The potential for memecoins to integrate with platforms focusing on data availability (like Orochi Network’s Zero-Knowledge Proofs for data integrity) could open new opportunities for memecoins to provide verifiable, decentralized solutions in a fun and accessible way.

Memecoins have proven that they are more than just a fleeting trend. They’ve captured the imagination of the internet and have the potential to stick around, evolving beyond their meme-based origins. However, investors must tread carefully, understanding the volatility and risks involved.

For now, memecoins represent the fun, speculative side of crypto. Whether or not they evolve into more serious projects, they’ve already left an undeniable mark on the industry. If memecoins can combine their viral appeal with real-world utility, they may find staying power in the rapidly changing crypto landscape.

Orochi Network is the world's first zkDA Layer, recognized by the Ethereum Foundation. By leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), Orochi ensures data integrity, security, and interoperability, empowering developers with the tools to overcome the limitations of on-chain execution and scalability in Web3. At the core, Orochi offers the world's first verifiable database designed for enterprises, AI/ML, zkML, zkVMs, verifiable computation, Web3 applications, and more.