The 'Just a Chill Guy' Meme Has Been Cryptocized, and the Artist Is Not Having It

The derpy-looking dog became a movement, and that movement fell into the clutches of capitalism and Finance Bros.

The internet is a vast and ever-evolving landscape, and keeping up with its latest trends can be a daunting task, especially for those who aren't as immersed in the digital realm. But as the youngest daughter in my family, I've somehow become the designated expert on all things internet-related. My older siblings and their partners often turn to me for help deciphering the latest viral memes or social media phenomenons.

Recently, I was faced with the challenge of explaining the "Just a Chill Guy" meme and its surprising foray into the world of cryptocurrency. Here's a quick breakdown of how this derpy dog became a movement and ended up in the clutches of Finance Bros:

The Origins of "Just a Chill Guy"

Back in 2023, artist PhillipBankss shared an image of a relaxed-looking humanoid dog with his hands in his pockets. The cartoonish character quickly gained traction on social media, becoming a meme that people used to express their carefree and easygoing nature. The phrase "Just a Chill Guy" became synonymous with embracing life's simple pleasures and not taking yourself too seriously.

The Chill Guy phenomenon continued to grow throughout 2024, with users adding their own unique twists to the meme. Brands like Call of Duty even started using the Chill Guy to promote their products. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele also joined in on the fun, posting a picture of the Chill Guy on his official X account.

But as fate would have it, the Crypto Bros couldn't resist the allure of a good meme. They swooped in and created a memecoin called CHILLGUY, which was essentially a token inspired by the viral dog. And just like that, CHILLGUY became a hot commodity in the world of cryptocurrency.

The Impact of Crypto on the Chill Guy Meme

The CHILLGUY token quickly gained popularity among crypto enthusiasts, reaching a market capitalization of $580 million at one point. Users like Wallet 9zW were reportedly earning thousands of dollars from the canine coin.

TikTok played a significant role in promoting the CHILLGUY token, despite the platform's reputation for being relatively crypto-naive compared to others like Twitter. This suggests that either TikTokers are becoming more interested in cryptocurrency or the Crypto Bros are shifting their tactics to target TikTok.

Currently, there are millions of dollars in unrealized gains on CHILLGUY, making it an incredibly lucrative venture for those who managed to get in on the ground floor. But for those like me who are too "chill" to understand the world of Bitcoin and its derivatives, it's a whole other story.

The Chill Guy's Creator Steps In

Throughout the Chill Guy saga, artist PhillipBankss maintained that he didn't endorse or consent to his art being used in "crypto." On November 21st, the creator finally took matters into his own hands, announcing that he had copyrighted the meme character "Chill Guy" and would be issuing takedowns on for-profit usages in the coming days.

However, the artist clarified that he didn't mind people using the character for fun, whether it be in memes, fan art, or even on products like stickers or mugs. He was specifically targeting the unauthorized merchandise and shitcoins that were using Chill Guy to make a quick buck.

According to the artist, the Chill Guy character was never about materialism or greed, which is why he felt compelled to protect his creation from being exploited by those who embodied the antithesis of the meme's spirit.