In the vast ecosystem of crypto assets, memecoins stand out — not for their technical sophistication or real-world utility, but for their power to stir the markets and drive up frenzied activity.

As we know, memecoins are tokens born from internet culture — think Dogecoin or Shiba Inu — riding on the back of memes, celebrity endorsements, or viral moments.

In the vast ecosystem of crypto assets, memecoins stand out — not for their technical sophistication or real-world utility, but for their power to stir the markets and drive up frenzied activity. As we know, memecoins are tokens born from internet culture — think Dogecoin or Shiba Inu — riding on the back of memes, celebrity endorsements, or viral moments. These are speculative by design and often lack strong fundamentals like that of BTC or ETH.

Historically, every major crypto cycle has included a memecoin phase. This phase is characterised by high-priced pumps and trader FOMO (or fear of missing out). The current cycle, believed by many to have begun with Donald Trump’s political resurgence, has curiously stayed away from this trend until recently.

The Calm Before the Meme-Storm

In mid-February, Argentina’s President Javier Milei briefly tweeted in support of a crypto project called Viva La Libertad. He claimed it could empower Argentina’s economy by supporting small businesses. But the project raised immediate red flags. There was no project whitepaper, no token allocation clarity,and not even a proper website. The ‘Contact Us’ button led to a basic Google Form.

Despite the sketchy presentation, eager traders rushed in and hoped for a repeat of the $TRUMP token surge. (TRUMP was another memecoin that skyrocketed after being associated with Donald Trump). Viva La Libertad briefly hit a billion-dollar valuation and then fell below $200 million in hours. Milei later claimed ignorance. So, was this a scam? Possibly not intentionally. But memecoins are easy to hijack, and bad actors often move faster than regulators or retail investors.

Right in February, the crypto world witnessed another bizarre episode. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) said on social media that he would reveal his dog’s name at a specific time. This once again prompted eager developers to prepare for yet another memecoin craze. When the name Broccoli was revealed, chaos ensued. Dozens of Broccoli-themed tokens were instantly launched. Within minutes, millions were siphoned off by quick-response scammers.

CZ later clarified he had no role in launching any memecoin and admitted his goal was to boost activity on Binance Smart Chain (BSC). “Yes, I wanted to see more activity on BSC,” he tweeted. “And I did not want to get involved in issuing/running a memecoin, as I have zero experience.” While not malicious, the episode added fuel to the growing frustration in the community about how easy it is to manipulate memecoin markets.

Understanding the Memecoin Allure

So why do memecoins continue to attract attention, despite there being clear warning signs?

The psychology is simple: they promise overnight riches. For many, buying a meme token at ₹0.01 and watching it grow 100x is the crypto equivalent of winning the lottery. But the harsh reality is this: every memecoin that succeeds leaves behind thousands that fail. Most are pump-and-dump schemes orchestrated by insiders who exit before retail traders even click ‘buy.’

And in today’s maturing crypto ecosystem, the easy money era of memecoins may be over. The hype cycle is fading. Token launches are down. Volume has thinned. Memecoins, once the darlings of every Telegram group, are now seen by many as high-risk traps.

Before You Dive In: A Memecoin Quick Checklist

If you still think there is a memecoin worth exploring, you should ensure the following checks right:

If it feels rushed or too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

Investing in Memecoins: Do’s and Don’ts

Here are three essential principles every retail investor must follow when navigating the memecoin maze:

What to Watch in 2025

In the crypto ecosystem, it seems, memecoins are not going away. However, their landscape is evolving. Here's what to expect going forward:

Meanwhile, institutional investors are steering clear of memecoins and doubling down on Bitcoin, Solana, and Layer-1 assets. ETFs are offering safe entry points for the masses. The market is maturing — even if meme-driven chaos lingers at the edges.

Extreme caution is key

Memecoins are a mirror of internet culture — unpredictable, fast-moving, and often absurd. They are not inherently evil, nor inherently profitable. But they demand extreme caution, deep awareness, and prudent allocation.

If you are stepping into this world, do it with both eyes open. And always remember: in a market where a president’s tweet or a dog’s name can move millions, discipline is your best defence.

(The author is the CEO of Giottus Crypto Platform)