Meme coins

Technology

Cryptocurrencies based on internet memes or humor, discussed as highly speculative, akin to gambling, and prone to manipulation like pump-and-dump schemes.


entitydetail.created_at

7/26/2025, 2:51:48 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

7/26/2025, 2:54:17 AM

entitydetail.research_retrieved

7/26/2025, 2:54:17 AM

Summary

Meme coins are a genre of cryptocurrency characterized by their origin from internet memes or humorous traits, often lacking fundamental value or utility. Their price is predominantly driven by social media momentum, celebrity endorsements, and community hype, leading to highly volatile price movements. While frequently dismissed as 'shitcoins' due to their speculative nature and reliance on a continuous influx of new buyers, some meme coins have achieved significant market capitalizations and social currency. A notable instance of their impact includes Argentine President Javier Milei's promotion of the Libra memecoin, which was criticized as a 'rug pull' against his supporters, damaging his credibility.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Type

    Cryptocurrency

  • Origin

    Internet memes or humorous characteristics

  • Purpose

    Joke, satire, community engagement, peer-to-peer payments, speculative investing, trading

  • Utility

    Often little to none; primarily trading instruments

  • Volatility

    High; rapid price increases followed by sharp collapses

  • Value Driver

    Social media momentum, celebrity association, community hype, fear of missing out (FOMO)

  • Intrinsic Value

    Often little to none

  • Market Capitalization (Feb 20, 2025)

    Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe accounted for over 67% of total meme coin market cap

  • Circulating Meme Coins (October 2021)

    124

Timeline
  • Dogecoin was released, created as a joke based on the Doge meme by software engineers. (Source: web_search_results)

    2013-12

  • There were 124 meme coins circulating. (Source: wikipedia)

    2021-10

  • Argentine President Javier Milei promoted Libra (memecoin), an act described as a 'rug pull' against his supporters, damaging his credibility. (Source: related_documents)

    Unknown

Meme coin

A meme coin (also spelled memecoin) is a cryptocurrency that originated from an internet meme or has some other humorous characteristic. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with the term shitcoin, which typically refers to a cryptocurrency with little to no value, authenticity, or utility. It may be used in the broadest sense as a critique of the cryptocurrency market in its entirety — those based on particular memes such as Dogecoin, celebrities like Coinye, and pump-and-dump schemes such as BitConnect — or it may be used to make cryptocurrency more accessible. Meme coins derive their price primarily from social media momentum and celebrity association. Their prices can skyrocket rapidly as new investors, drawn by viral attention or fear of missing out (FOMO), pour in funds. However, this growth is typically unsustainable, as the price depends heavily on a continuous influx of new buyers. When interest wanes or new investment slows, meme coins frequently experience sharp collapses, as there is little fundamental value to support their market capitalization, much like how Ponzi schemes rely on new capital to pay returns to earlier investors. The term is often used dismissively, comparing the value or performance of those cryptocurrencies to that of mainstream digital assets. Supporters, on the other hand, observe that some memecoins have acquired social currency and high market capitalizations.

Web Search Results
  • Meme coin - Wikipedia

    A meme coin (also spelled memecoin) is a cryptocurrency that originated from an internet meme or has some other humorous characteristic.( [...] Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies with defined use cases or technological foundations, meme coins often lack intrinsic value and derive their price primarily from community hype "Hype (marketing)"), social media momentum, and celebrity association.( Their prices can skyrocket rapidly as new investors, drawn by viral attention or fear of missing out (FOMO), pour in funds. However, this growth is typically unsustainable, as the price depends heavily on a continuous influx of new buyers. When [...] In late 2013, Dogecoin was released after being created as a joke on the Doge "Doge (meme)") meme by software engineers. This sparked the creation of more meme coins. In October 2021, there were 124 meme coins circulating. Notable examples include Dogecoin and Shiba Inu "Shiba Inu (cryptocurrency)").(

  • Top Memes Tokens by Market Capitalization - CoinMarketCap

    Show more About Memes ### What are meme coins? Meme coins are a type of cryptocurrency that originated from internet memes. They are often created as a joke or for the purpose of satire, but some have gained serious traction and have become quite valuable. They are part of the larger category of digital assets known as altcoins, which are alternatives to Bitcoin. Some of these coins have gained popularity due to their community-driven nature and the humorous themes they embody. [...] With any investment, it is always best to carefully weigh the value and the solutions presented by the product. Meme coins are a shot in the dark, and the vast majority will likely be defunct in a few years or months. Meme cryptos are mostly for holding or sharing with friends for a laugh, but, as we saw with Dogecoin, sometimes a laugh can turn into a serious investment. Choose wisely! Memes Highlights Image 100 Ready, Set, PUMP! Read More Memes News [...] Dogecoin’s explosion of popularity led to an ever-growing number of dog coins like Baby Doge Coin, SHIBA INU, Shiba BSC, and many more. However, Meme coins span everything from the very cute (Mini Baby Doge) to the very vulgar (DiarrheaCoin and CUMROCKET). Sometimes the only real purpose behind meme cryptocurrencies seems to be giving someone a laugh. Meme Currencies Explained -------------------------

  • Top Meme Coins by Market Cap - CoinGecko

    Frequently Asked Questions Show What are Meme Coins? -------------------- Meme coins are a type of cryptocurrency projectsthat are built around memes. Meme coins can be dog-themed, food-themed, even celebrity and politician-themed. Unlike traditional cryptocurrency, which focuses on blockchain technology and scaling solutions, meme coins are more about fun, humor, and community engagement, presenting a lower barrier to entry.

  • Meme Coins: Examples of What They Are, Pros and Cons, and How ...

    Meme coins are altcoins (cryptocurrencies that are not Bitcoin) named after trends, humorous or fun topics, or anything else someone can think of. They are usually created to engage a community and can be used in peer-to-peer payments, speculative investing, or trading. In many cases, they are accompanied by websites with comical themes, sometimes nonsensical terms, and their creators and fans market a sense of community to attract others. [...] Investopedia / Joules Garcia Meme coins are cryptocurrencies created to follow trends, employ humor, and try to build a sense of community to attract users. ## What Is a Meme Coin? [...] Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe are generally the most popular meme coins. By market capitalization, they accounted for more than 67% of the total meme coin market cap on Feb. 20, 2025, at 10:40 a.m. EST. ### Key Takeaways ## How Meme Coins Work

  • What is a memecoin? - Coinbase

    Memecoins are a genre of cryptocurrency that is loosely defined by an exuberant online community supporting the currency's growth. They are sometimes identified with animated characters or animal meme images. Currencies that have gained memecoin status include Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, among others. As with other cryptocurrencies, memecoins rely on blockchain technology, a type of distributed database used to track virtual assets. Most memecoins are purely trading instruments, unlike Ethereum and [...] What are Memecoins? ------------------- Memecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that are often inspired by internet memes, characters, or trends. They are typically supported by enthusiastic online communities and are generally intended to be light-hearted and fun. Examples of memecoins include Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and others that are often associated with entertainment rather than usability. Understanding Memecoins ----------------------- [...] What is a memecoin? | Coinbase =============== Image 1: Coinbase logo Sign up 1. Learn 2. Crypto Basics What is a memecoin? =================== Image 2: What is a memecoin? Memecoins are cryptocurrencies often inspired by internet memes or trends. They are typically characterized by their volatile nature. Despite their inherent risk, memecoins have gained visibility due to the possibility of high returns and their role in digital culture.