The punchline of the crypto world, right? Except, in 2025, the joke’s on everybody else. As NFTEvening recently shared, memecoins were the only sector of crypto that turned a profit in H1 of this year. Even the most serious projects such as Layer 2 and AI are in jeopardy. In the meantime, Pepe and Doge are laughing their asses off all the way to the bank! 33.08% average profit? Seriously?
Okay, I get it. You're probably thinking: "Memecoins are scams! They have no utility! They're just pump and dumps!" And you're not entirely wrong. To dismiss them from the very beginning is a tremendous error. That’s akin to dismissing the entire internet in 1995 simply because all you could find was dancing baby GIFs.
Here's why I think memecoins are more than just a fleeting trend, and why they'll continue to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025:
Finance For The People, By The People
Traditional finance? It's a gated community. High minimums, complex jargon, and an inherent bias against the already wealthy. To be clear, memecoins are dumb, but they provide a back door. An easily accessible point for anyone to get into the crypto market.
Think about it. You don’t have to have thousands of dollars to spend on a memecoin. You can start with a few bucks. Maybe even less. Sure, it's risky, incredibly risky. For most, but particularly for those marginalized from conventional avenues and institutions, this represents a thrilling prospect. It’s an opportunity to take a risk and have some skin in the game. It is empowerment.
This isn't just theoretical. I've seen it firsthand. I work with young people, as an advisor and mentor, supporting them to become digital entrepreneurs. When they understand the possibilities of decentralized finance—that’s when their eyes light up. They see memecoins not just as a way to make money, but as a way to level the playing field.
Community Is The New Currency
Forget balance sheets and quarterly reports. Memecoins are fueled by community. These aren't just investors, they're believers. They're meme-makers, content creators, and vocal advocates. From the community’s perspective, they’re contributing to building something together, even if that something happens to be a Shiba Inu on the moon.
That community is valuable. More than this, it offers community, cultural identity, and a connection among leaders that breeds collaboration. In a world where many are lonely and searching for connection, memecoin communities provide support and camaraderie. A strange, sometimes awkward, yet wholly authentic bond.
It's social capital in its purest form. You may chuckle at how silly it sounds, but these communities are making genuine bonds. They are finding champions in allies they thought never existed.
Memes Are The Innovation Lab
Okay, hear me out. Memecoins are weird. They're often nonsensical. Yet that’s exactly why they’re a hotbed for innovation. Because no one takes them seriously, they're free to experiment with new economic models and governance structures without the pressure of institutional scrutiny.
Think of it as a sandbox. Yet this is the place where developers can stretch their legs and play around with new concepts. Here, they can push the bounds of blockchain technology and see what’s feasible.
We’ve previously witnessed memecoins creating advanced utilities and deploying philanthropic efforts for the common good. Don't underestimate the power of play. Perhaps the most radical, visionary, and creative ideas are the ones that can only come from the outside. Occasionally, it’s all packaged with a side of doge meme.
A Big Middle Finger to Wall Street
Let's be honest: traditional finance has failed a lot of people. The crisis of 2008, the growing inequality, the bank bailouts and the people bailouts. Is it any surprise that folks are searching for better options.
In some sense, memecoins are the ultimate protest. A rebellion against the establishment. A collective "we're not going to play by your rules anymore." It's a way for ordinary people to take control of their financial destiny, even if it's just a small piece of it.
Is it rational? Maybe not. Is it effective? Time will tell. It's a powerful statement nonetheless. A powerful sentiment which strikes a chord with millions of Americans who are increasingly feeling isolated and left behind.
Virality Equals Real-World Impact
The power of memes is undeniable. They spread like wildfire. They capture our attention. They shape our culture. They're driving real-world action.
Memecoins are the ultimate example of this. It’s the viral nature of these projects that power through shared experience and motivated collective action that make capitalism move at such speed. In 2022, various memecoin communities came together to raise funds for charitable efforts. They pursue other avenues for change — like directly funding social movements and scientific research.
It’s the power of the internet, pure and simple. For not only can you connect people across your community, you can connect people around the world. United, you will go farther, do more, and accomplish it all with nothing more than a shared sense of humor—and a shared belief in the power of memes.
Therefore, memecoins are not a sure recipe for wealth. Absolutely not. They're volatile, risky, and prone to manipulation. Writing them off as just a goof is missing the point. They represent something more: a shift in power, a democratization of finance, and a glimpse into a future where ordinary people have a say in the way the world works.
Approach them with caution. Do your research. As with cryptocurrencies, never invest more than you can afford to lose. Don't ignore them. Whether legit or not, memecoins are here to stay and they’re shaking up the playing field.
So now, off you go into the crazy, amazing, totally safe and not at all dangerous world of decentralized finance. So just make sure you have your thinking cap on, and your sense of humor. You'll need it.
