The memecoin market has stumbled during the latest altcoin correction, with many tokens losing both market share and prominence in the broader crypto narrative. Once the center of retail-driven hype, memecoins are now struggling to keep pace as capital flows shift toward more established altcoins and fundamentally strong projects. The momentum that propelled these speculative assets during the late stages of last year’s minor rally has largely dissipated, leaving most trading well below their recent highs. Related Reading: Bitcoin Volatility Hits 2-Year Low As 30-Day Range Tightens While a handful of select memecoins continue to deliver notable gains, they remain the exception rather than the rule. The current altcoin rally has favored sectors with deeper liquidity and stronger institutional interest, pushing memecoins further into the background. This shift suggests that traders are becoming more selective, avoiding high-volatility tokens without strong catalysts. Top analyst Darkfost notes that memecoins are clearly lagging compared to the broader altcoin market, both in performance and in investor attention. Without a resurgence of hype-driven buying, these tokens may continue to underperform in the near term. For now, the memecoin market faces an uphill battle to reclaim its former momentum, as attention and capital concentrate on assets showing stronger technical and fundamental strength. Memecoins Struggle as Liquidity Flows Toward Ethereum According to Darkfost, the memecoin market is facing a challenging phase as Ethereum continues to absorb a significant share of overall altcoin liquidity. This shift has steadily reduced memecoins’ dominance relative to other altcoins, signaling a clear change in market preference. Darkfost notes that while a handful of memecoins are still delivering gains, their performance is largely anecdotal and not indicative of a broader trend. The analyst emphasizes that this is “clearly not memecoin season” and warns traders against overexposing themselves to the sector in the current market environment. Without the hype cycles and speculative inflows that typically fuel sharp rallies in this asset class, price action has remained subdued for most tokens. In contrast, capital has increasingly flowed toward Ethereum and other fundamentally strong projects that are showing momentum. Darkfost advises that caution should be the guiding principle for investors considering memecoin positions at this time. With Ethereum approaching new highs and pulling liquidity from the broader altcoin market, the conditions for a strong memecoin recovery remain limited. Looking ahead, the coming weeks will be decisive. If Ethereum breaks into uncharted territory and altcoins rally toward their range highs, some spillover effect could reignite interest in memecoins. However, without a significant shift in sentiment and liquidity distribution, the sector may continue to lag, leaving traders better positioned by focusing on assets with stronger technical and fundamental setups. Related Reading: TRON Long-Term Holders See Massive Gains As TRX Pushes Toward Multi-Year Highs Memecoin Market Cap Analysis The total memecoin market cap currently stands at approximately $70.74 billion, showing a modest +2.64% gain in the last session. Despite the recent uptick, the chart reflects a period of heightened volatility following a sharp rally in July that peaked near the $80 billion mark. Since then, the market has struggled to sustain momentum, with repeated rejections at higher levels and a gradual shift toward consolidation. The 50-day simple moving average (SMA), currently near $66.57 billion, is acting as a dynamic support level, with recent pullbacks finding buying interest around this zone. This suggests that while bullish sentiment has weakened, buyers are still stepping in to defend key support areas. Trading volume has also increased in recent sessions, indicating that market participants are actively positioning despite the broader slowdown. Related Reading: Bitcoin Futures Power Index Hits Neutral Zone After Months Of Bullish Readings – Details However, the inability to break convincingly above $75 billion signals that sellers are still in control of the upper range. For a stronger recovery, memecoin market cap would need to reclaim and hold above the $75–$76 billion area. Conversely, a breakdown below the 50-day SMA could open the door to a deeper correction, potentially testing the $64–$65 billion range. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
In a recent statement, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provided insights into the classification of memecoins within the context of federal securities laws. This move, a part of the SEC’s attempt to make clear how these regulations apply to different assets, could prove to be a significant victory for these altcoins and the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that have been filed with the regulator. Memecoins Not Subject To Federal Securities Laws According to the SEC’s criteria, a memecoin is generally characterized as a type of cryptocurrency that draws inspiration from internet memes, cultural phenomena, or current events, with promoters aiming to cultivate a vibrant online community that engages in buying and trading these assets. Related Reading: Data Shows Bitcoin’s 11% Drop Is Still ‘Modest’—Here’s Why The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance delineated that while individual memecoins may exhibit distinct features, they typically share common traits. Their value largely hinges on market demand and speculative trading, akin to collectibles rather than traditional investments. As such, the agency asserted that memecoins usually lack substantial functionality or practical use beyond entertainment, leading to significant price volatility driven by speculative behavior. Importantly, the SEC concluded that transactions involving these types of memecoins do not constitute the offer and sale of securities as defined under the federal securities laws. This means that individuals participating in the sale of meme coins are not required to register their transactions under the Securities Act of 1933, nor do they need to rely on any exemptions from registration. Fraudulent Activities Still Subject To Enforcement The SEC’s analysis draws from the definitions of “security” enshrined in federal statutes, which include various financial instruments such as stocks and bonds. Since memecoins do not yield income or confer rights to profits or assets, they do not fit into these established categories. The SEC evaluated whether memecoins could be classified as investment contracts under the “Howey test,” a legal precedent that determines if an arrangement qualifies as a security based on economic realities. The key factors examined include whether there is an investment in an enterprise with the expectation of profits derived from the efforts of others. Related Reading: Dogecoin Discount Incoming: Analyst Reveals When To Start Buying The SEC found that purchasers of memecoins are not investing in an enterprise, as their funds are not pooled for development by promoters. Instead, the value of memecoins emerges from speculative trading and public sentiment, without any involvement of managerial efforts that could generate profits. However, the statement made clear that this classification does not apply universally to all memecoins. The SEC will scrutinize any offerings that deviate from the outlined characteristics or that attempt to bypass securities laws under the guise of being meme coins. Plus, the regulator clarified that while memecoins may not be subject to federal securities regulations, any fraudulent activities associated with their sale could still be pursued under other federal or state laws. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
The recent launch of the TRUMP and MELANIA tokens, catalyzed by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, has ignited a mix of excitement and caution within the memecoin and broader cryptocurrency community. This frenzy has caught the attention of billionaire investor Mark Cuban, who is now contemplating the creation of his own memecoin, inspired by the recent memecoin movements. Cuban’s Memecoin Vision: Combining Fun And Financial Responsibility? In a recent social media post, the renowned billionaire opened the door to the possibility of launching a new memecoin, stating, “If memecoins are the way, maybe I’ll issue one.” His announcement has stirred curiosity among crypto enthusiasts, particularly as he hinted that his memecoin would mirror the parameters of Trump’s TRUMP memecoin. Related Reading: Is It Time To Give Up On Ethereum Below $4,000? Analyst Weighs The Facts Cuban plans to implement a 20% float and adhere to a similar release schedule, with one significant distinction: all potential revenue generated from the sale would be directed to the US Treasury. To enhance transparency, Cuban also indicated that the wallet address would be publicly accessible, allowing anyone to track the funds. Cuban framed his initiative as a way to combine entertainment with a social purpose, noting, “If you want to gamble, gamble. But at least use it to make a dent in the US debt.” This statement reflects a growing sentiment among some investors that memecoins can serve a dual purpose—providing both amusement and potential benefits to broader societal issues. However, Cuban’s proposal has not been without its critics. Cuban Cites Dogecoin Success In response to Cuban’s announcement, a user on X (formerly Twitter) cautioned him about the potential pitfalls of launching a memecoin, suggesting that he might be accused of exploiting information asymmetry at the coin’s launch. The user stressed that the supposed memecoin’s price would be dictated by supply and demand dynamics, starting from nearly zero, and warned Cuban not to proceed without careful consideration. Cuban, undeterred by the criticism, defended his understanding of the memecoin landscape, stating, “It’s not hard to put it together. I never have thought about doing a meme coin. Wouldn’t be hard at all.” Related Reading: Big Players Bet Big On XRP, Solana With Excitement Around Donald Trump’s Presidency, Here Are The Figures The back-and-forth dialogue continued, with the user asserting that creating a sustainable memecoin that benefits long-term holders is a challenging endeavor. He further argued that successful memecoins often emerge from community-driven initiatives rather than top-down launches, warning that hype surrounding a celebrity-backed launch could lead to short-term trading rather than fostering an organic community. Cuban concluded the exchange by acknowledging the importance of community in the longevity of memecoins. He cited examples like Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), which have thrived due to their strong communities. “I’m not saying buyers won’t get rekt. I said it was gambling. It’s a game of musical chairs. No promises. No pumps by me. Just complete transparency,” he emphasized. At the time of writing, the TRUMP memecoin is trading at $44,778, recording a 14% recovery in the past 24 hours after plunging over 50% from its $79 peak reached over the weekend. Featured image from CNBC, chart from TradingView.com
Hailey Welch, popularly known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” has been absent from public view for two weeks, igniting a wave of controversy surrounding her cryptocurrency project, the Hawk Tuah (HAWK) memecoin. Welch, who gained fame through her podcast “Talk Tuah,” last communicated with her audience by stating she was “going to sleep,” shortly before the value of her memecoin plummeted by a staggering 95%. Investors Sue Hailey Welch Over Alleged Memecoin Fraud The fallout from the rapid decline in the Hawk Tuah token has been swift, with disappointed investors taking legal action against Welch and several associated entities. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of affected investors, accuses Welch, the Tuah The Moon Foundation, OverHere Ltd., its executive Clinton So, and coin promoter Alex Larson Schultz of orchestrating a fraudulent “rug pull.” Related Reading: Interest Rate Cut Impact: Bitcoin Price Reaction Unraveled With Future Projections According to court documents obtained by Newsweek, the complaint alleges that the “unlawful promotion and sale” of the Hawk Tuah memecoin resulted in significant financial losses, particularly impacting those new to cryptocurrency investing. The lawsuit emphasizes that many investors were attracted to the Hawk Tuah project due to Welch’s public endorsement and her influential role in its development roadmap. It states, “The rapid decline in the token’s value caused substantial damages to investors who relied on Welch’s participation and the project’s stated roadmap.” Initially, the Hawk Tuah token captured attention as part of a wave of community-driven memecoins, buoyed by Welch’s “aggressive promotion” across social media platforms and her podcast. However, allegations of mismanagement and deceptive practices soon surfaced after the token’s value collapsed almost overnight, erasing millions of dollars in investor funds. Insider Trading Allegations Bitcoinist reported two weeks ago that on-chain investigator Coffeezilla accused Hailey Welch and the Hawk Tuah team of scamming investors following the token’s launch. On November 26, Welch had announced her partnership with the Web3 platform OverHere to launch the Hawk Tuah memecoin, claiming it would “set to redefine the crypto space.” Upon its launch on December 4, the token’s market capitalization skyrocketed to $500 million, only to plummet 88% within minutes as major holders rapidly sold off their assets. As the token’s value collapsed, investors and market analysts raised alarms about potential insider trading and a coordinated rug pull orchestrated by the project’s creators. Many of the affected investors were Welch’s fans, many of whom were new to the crypto landscape. Related Reading: Ethereum To Outpace Solana In 2025, Bitwise CIO Asserts In the wake of the backlash, Welch revealed the token’s “Hawkanomics,” which indicated that only 2% of the total supply was allocated for public distribution, while 17% was designated for a “strategic allocation” that was fully unlocked at launch and allegedly funneled to insider wallets. During an X Space discussion, Coffeezilla confronted the Hawk Tuah team about over $1 million in fees generated from the token and questioned their handling of the situation. He suggested that the sell-off was not merely the result of market snipers but rather linked to insider trading related to the creators’ accounts. Despite the team’s denials, Coffeezilla criticized the launch as one of the worst he has reviewed, labeling the tokenomics as “horrible” and calling for accountability regarding the presale funds, which amounted to approximately $16.69 million. Featured image from Yahoo, chart from TradingView.com
As the US presidential election results loom, one analyst is expressing confidence in the continuous surge of memecoins, particularly in the context of the ongoing political landscape. In a recent social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Miles Deutscher asserted that dog-themed and cat-themed cryptocurrencies will continue outperforming the broader crypto market, regardless of whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris emerges victorious. Dogecoin Leads Memecoins Resurgence On Election Day Bitcoin (BTC), the largest cryptocurrency on the market, is trading near the $70,000 mark, up a modest 2.2% over the past 24 hours, after several failed attempts to break above its all-time high of $73,700 last week. In stark contrast, Dogecoin (DOGE), the leading memecoin by market capitalization, has surged by 12% during the same period, demonstrating the sector’s performance relative to the top ten cryptocurrencies. Related Reading: Solana ‘Must Break Descending Resistance’ To Regain Bullish Momentum – Analyst Deutscher suggests that if Trump wins the election, Dogecoin’s positive momentum will likely increase. He cites Trump’s proposed Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, which he believes will increase Dogecoin’s visibility and liquidity, as a catalyst that could spark a broader rally in the memecoin space. “DOGE as the meme leader will drive attention and liquidity rotation to the broader meme narrative, he asserts.” This enthusiasm could lead to a significant influx of speculative investments, often called “fear of missing out” (FOMO). Increased Crypto Scrutiny Under A Harris Administration? Deutscher further predicts that a Trump victory would spark a rally in altcoins, especially memecoins, which have historically shown strength leading up to elections. Another clear example of this is that the largest tokens in the Solana memecoin ecosystem, Dogwifhat (WIF), Bonk Inu (BONK) and Popcat (POPCAT), saw surges of 6.3%, 8% and 6% respectively, on election day, all of which outperformed the top ten cryptocurrencies in the market. Deutscher also said that with many cryptocurrencies undergoing significant drawdowns as investors de-risked ahead of the election, they would likely experience a pronounced bounce if Trump secures the presidency. Conversely, if Kamala Harris wins, the analyst foresees a different dynamic. The possibility of increased regulatory scrutiny on utility tokens could prompt investors to seek refuge in more speculative assets, such as memecoins. Related Reading: Why Is Dogecoin Going Up Today? Key Drivers Of DOGE’s 10% Surge Deutscher notes that under this scenario, the fear of a crackdown, reminiscent of the operation chokepoint initiatives targeting certain crypto assets, may lead investors to gravitate towards nihilistic alternatives like memecoins. Ultimately, this shift could increase meme coins dominance, especially if traditional sectors like decentralized finance (DeFi) face heightened scrutiny. In this case, Deutscher asserts that investors might shy away from the broader altcoin market, favoring assets that have already demonstrated resilience and strength throughout the year. Based on price action trends, the analyst points out that some memecoins may be perceived as less risky than other altcoins, a sentiment that appears to be gaining traction among retail investors. At the time of writing, Dogecoin trades at $0.1755. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
In a year marked by significant volatility in the cryptocurrency market, memecoins have emerged as key players, outperforming Bitcoin (BTC) and the rest of the largest cryptocurrencies in the ecosystem. This trend was underlined by recent insights from market expert Miles Deutscher, who highlighted a presentation by memecoin analyst Murad at the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore. Memecoins Challenge Traditional Cryptocurrencies According to Murad, only 43 tokens have surpassed Bitcoin’s performance in 2024, with 13 of those being memecoins. Notably, eight of the top ten performers in the market this year are also memecoins. Murad emphasized that this cycle is distinct from previous ones, asserting, “The memecoin cycle is not a prediction; it has already begun—memecoins are dominating by virtually every metric.” Related Reading: TON Recovery Stalls: Another Price Decline Hinders Bullish Efforts The rise of memecoins can be attributed to several factors, particularly their ability to resonate with retail investors seeking community, identity, and excitement, rather than merely potential financial gains. As Murad puts it, “Memecoins are a superior version of altcoins.” The appeal of memecoins extends beyond speculation; it is alleged that they have cultivated a culture that fosters community and “emotional connection” among investors. Murad noted that these tokens enable users to engage in a shared experience, bringing real value through stories that “create trends and spark movements”. Success stories of significant gains—such as those seen with tokens like dogwifhat (WIF) and Pepecoin (PEPE)—propagate quickly, fueling interest and excitement in the memecoin space over the past year. According to Deutscher, the most successful cryptocurrencies have developed strong communities, often resembling “cult-like followings.” Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin have thrived on this dynamic, and memecoins are fully embracing it. SPX And GIGA Capture Retail Attention Murad further explained that the recent performance of altcoins on platforms like Binance has further fueled the memecoin narrative. Almost every altcoin listed this year is trading below its listing price, with only two exceptions: WIF, a memecoin, and JUP, which facilitates memecoin trading. Murad further alleges that retail investors prioritize making money (70%), having fun (20%), and feeling a sense of belonging (10%). Murad argues that memecoins embody this speculative nature, akin to the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) boom of 2017, but in a new form. Instead of initial coin offerings, Murad sees that memecoins are allowing early-stage investments at lower valuations, which contrasts sharply with altcoins, where most upside is captured in private markets. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Turns Green In October Once Again, Is The Bull Run Here? Deutscher also praised that as the memecoin phenomenon continues to grow, Murad’s insights have already influenced market dynamics, sparking one of the strongest memecoin rallies of the year. Tokens dubbed “Murad coins,” such as SPX and GIGA, have seen substantial gains, resonating with retail investors who are drawn to the excitement of potential profits. At the time of writing, the SPX is trading at $0.575, up a remarkable 35% in the 24 hour time frame, showing the impact of Murad’s participation in the TOKEN2049 in early September this year. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
As the broader crypto market shows signs of notable recovery, memecoins are experiencing significant gains, reflecting investors’ renewed appetite for quick and substantial returns after a period of volatility and price declines. Move From Bitcoin To Memecoins In Upcoming Crypto Bull Run? Crypto analyst Ardizor has outlined five memecoins to watch, anticipating that these assets could yield substantial returns as what he describes as the “biggest bull run” in crypto is set to commence in October. Related Reading: Bitcoin To Outshine Gold By 400% By 2025, Veteran Analyst Predicts According to Ardizor, Bitcoin (BTC) cycles typically begin 170 days after its Halving event and reach their peak approximately 310 days later. He suggests that starting in October, these memecoins and the broader market are positioned for significant gains that could surpass previous record highs. Ardizor emphasizes that new bull runs often begin with liquidity flowing to established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH) before shifting toward memecoins, setting the stage for a potential resurgence in the sector. Five Tokens Poised For Major Gains Among the memecoins Ardizor highlights are Sundog (SUNDOG), which has rapidly gained traction within the Tron network. He notes that Sundog is rooted in community engagement, aiming to unite enthusiasts and create “an inclusive ecosystem that offers various benefits for its holders.” Currently trading at $0.31, up nearly 6% in the 24-hour time frame, and with a market cap of approximately $287.7 million, Sundog stands out as one of the most promising new entries in the memecoin landscape, according to the analyst. Another notable mention is Simon’s Cat (CAT), which has emerged as the largest and most recognized meme coin on the Binance Smart Chain (BNB). Ardizor points to its consistent price increase, noting that Simon’s Cat is backed by the well-known Simon’s Cat brand, which has garnered over 1.6 billion views on its YouTube channel. The memecoin has a market cap of around $280.6 million and is trading at $0.000040, up a substantial 96% in the last month alone, proving the analyst’s theory of further price gains and investor interest in the token. The analyst also discusses Cate on ETH (CATE), a memecoin that originated from the Dogeverse and was inspired by a tweet from the Own the Doge social media account. With strong ties to Dogecoin (DOGE), Ardizor believes that CATE embodies a “spirit of adventure and innovation”, making it an attractive option for investors looking for the next big thing in memecoins. It currently has a market cap of around $16.2 million. Related Reading: Analyst Predicts 8,500% Rally For Cardano To Reach $31 As Indicators Turn Bullish In addition, Neiro (NEIRO) is highlighted as a continuation of the Doge legacy. Associated with Kabosu, the dog behind the iconic Doge meme, Ardizor contended that Neiro captures the “true essence of memecoins and internet culture.” NEIRO currently has a market capitalization of $341 million, with a notable 52% increase in the last 24 hours, resulting in a trading price of $0.0012, and over 2,325% in the last thirty days alone, making it the best performing token on Ardizor’s list. Finally, Ardizor introduces the Turbo token (TURBO), a project that began as a bold experiment in cryptocurrency creation. Inspired by artificial intelligence (AI), Turbo was initiated with a simple challenge to create the next great memecoin starting with just $69. Today, the analyst notes that it thrives as a decentralized, community-led initiative, boasting a market cap of $387 million. Currently, TURBO trades at $0.0062, recording impressive gains of 8,980% year-to-date (YTD). Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com