Opinion: Sasha Ivanov, founder of Waves and units.network
Not long ago, the idea that internet jokes could become a multi-billion dollar asset class seemed hilarious. Today, Memecoin is more than just mainstream. They are restructuring the whole market cycle. The US currently has official memo coins related to the president. What began as a niche community experiment has become a financial force that is too big to ignore.
This is not just speculation. In November 2024, MemeCoins accounted for 65% of the total trading volume of the highest distributed exchange radium ever. When rejected as internet gimmicks, these assets became the cultural engine of crypto. This phenomenon has caused a slight identity crisis for followers and skeptics who need to rethink their position.
One thing is clear whether it’s the next retail-driven market movement or being seen as an unsustainable enthusiast.
Memokine is more than speculation
At their core, Memecoin thrives on the beliefs of the community. Traditional financial assets derive value from utility, institutional adoption, or revenue models. In contrast, memocoin is driven by the forces of social engagement, virality and collective momentum.
This makes it one of the most effective onboarding tools for Crypto’s retail investors. MemeCoins removes the complexity of blockchain technology and makes digital assets familiar, familiar and culturally relevant. For many, they are the first step into Web3, opening the door to decentralized trading, governance and finance.
But what makes them accessible makes them volatile. The same market mechanism that sends memokines that soar billions of dollars overnight can collapse just as easily as they collapse within days. One trader may turn $66 into a $3 million profit, but once the hype goes away, thousands of others will hold unworthy tokens.
Volatility issues that no one can ignore
The numbers tell the story. When Elon Musk changed his X username and profile picture, Memecoin linked to him spiked to a market capitalization of $380 million. When Musk reversed the change, the coin plunged to another $100 million before plummeting even further.
Recently: “Memecoin is the prototype of the collective unconscious.”
This is no exception. This is the Memocoin market in operation. It is unpredictable, profit-driven and supported by speculation. Some traders thrive in this environment, but most do not. Skeptics argue that Memecoin is nothing more than a casino with a blockchain.
If you completely dismiss Memecoins, the bigger reality is ignored. Regardless of skepticism, the Memecoin has not disappeared. They are shaping market trends. The real problem is that memokine can move from hype-driven speculation to structured financial assets with governance and longevity.
Governance is the key to long-term survival
If Memecoin evolves beyond the short-term trading cycle, governance must take a central stage. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) provide models that allow holders to shape token supply, implement transparency and influence project direction, giving Memecoins a real shot of sustainability.
This structure prevents centralized control by developers and whales, reducing the risk of insider operations, exit fraud and pump and dump schemes. It also allows Memecoin to integrate financial management, staking incentives, and token supply models that promote long-term viability rather than short-lived guesses.
A major example is Floki inu (floki), a mimecoin that has built a functional ecosystem beyond meme-driven trading. Rather than relying on short-term speculation, Floki INU has consolidated unintegrated non-non-impossible token (NFT) games, payments and education initiatives, proving that Memocoin can evolve into a structured, community-driven asset.
Memecoin does not need to abandon their cultural origins, but to survive beyond the current hype cycle, it must adopt governance mechanisms that promote economic sustainability.
Memecoin is at a crossroads
Memecoin split the crypto space into two extreme camps. On the one hand, Memocoin’s maximalists argue that this bull market is dominated by Memecoin, and belief and virality alone are sufficient to sustain them. Skeptics, on the other hand, dismiss them entirely and see them as pump-and-dump schemes that ultimately burst.
Both perspectives miss the big picture. Memecoins proves their ability to promote market activity, but ignoring risk is just as reckless as completely dismissing it. The real challenge isn’t whether Memecoin should exist. They’ve already done it. The question is how to configure them to ensure investors’ security, market stability, and long-term reliability of the industry.
Builders, regulators and communities need to work together to balance decentralization and responsible governance. Ignoring memokine as a passing trend is shortsighted. It can get worse if the risks are not addressed. Potentially, it could lead to a catastrophic collapse that damages public trust in the entire code.
MemeCoins stays here. The actual test is whether they will remain speculative roller coasters or mature into the legal digital economy sector. The answer lies in the fact that not only traders, but builders, developers and policymakers shaping the future of blockchain.
Opinion: Sasha Ivanov, founder of Waves and units.network.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not intended to be considered legal or investment advice, and should not be done. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect or express Cointregraph’s views and opinions.
