Meet Hide the Pain Harold, the Hungarian Engineer Who Became an Internet Star and Now Has His Own Memecoin

What started as a simple stock photo session turned into a worldwide phenomenon, and now Harold is making waves in the crypto world with his very own memecoin, $PAIN.

Hungarian engineer András Arató never expected to become an internet sensation. But thanks to a single stock photo session, the world was introduced to "Hide the Pain Harold" - a meme that would define a generation. And now, Harold is making waves in the crypto scene with his memecoin, $PAIN.

The Birth of a Meme

During a vacation, Harold snapped some casual photos to document his trip. A perceptive photographer noticed his potential and invited him to participate in a stock photo shoot.

Before long, Harold's photos were being used in a wide range of contexts. But people noticed something peculiar: despite his forced smile, his expression seemed to convey a deeper pain.

Around 2011, online communities began adding funny captions and tragic backstories to Harold's photos, giving birth to the iconic "Hide the Pain Harold" meme.

Rise to Meme Fame

The meme spread rapidly through Facebook, Reddit, 4chan, and Imgur. By 2016, Harold had decided to reveal his true identity to the world. And in 2020, he was voted Imgur's "Meme of the Decade," surpassing even Grumpy Cat.

Embracing Fame

Initially, Harold was hesitant about his newfound fame. But eventually, he embraced his status as an internet icon. From TV appearances to brand deals with Coca-Cola and Vodafone - and even a TED talk - Harold managed to turn a meme into a full-blown career.

No $PAIN, No Gain

In 2025, Harold decided to venture into the world of cryptocurrency by launching $PAIN, the official memecoin inspired by his meme legacy.

Despite a major market downturn, the $PAIN presale managed to raise nearly 185,976 SOL (around $40M) in just 48 hours - a record-breaking achievement for a memecoin presale.

And here's the twist: Harold refunded 80% of the funds raised, a move that built trust and set a new standard in the meme coin world.