Best Meme Coins to Invest In 2025

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If you’re interested in investing in meme coins, you first need to know that doing so is extremely risky. That said, according to our analysis, Dogecoin (DOGE), the original meme cryptocurrency, is the best option.

In this guide, we explain why it’s the best meme coin to buy now and delve into other options, including established meme tokens like SHIB and PEPE, as well as newer opportunities like HYPER.

When evaluating these cryptocurrencies, we pay close attention to community engagement, branding, and price performance. We also compare adoption trends, market traction, and long-term risks versus rewards.

Table of Contents
  1. In This Article
    1. 1. Dogecoin (DOGE) – First-Ever Meme Coin, Launched as a Joke, Now Mainstream
    2. 2. Shiba Inu (SHIB) – Ethereum-Based Dogecoin Rival With DeFi Ambitions
    3. 3. Pepe (PEPE) – Deflationary Meme Coin Known for Viral Marketing
    4. 4. Bonk (BONK) – First Dog-Themed Meme Coin on Solana
    5. 5. Floki (FLOKI) – Meme Coin Evolving Into a GameFi & DeFi Ecosystem
    6. 6. dogwifhat (WIF) – Top Solana Dog Meme Coin With High Volatility
    1. 1. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) – Upcoming Meme Coin With Bitcoin Layer 2 Functionality
    2. 2. Official Trump (TRUMP) – The Leading Political Meme Coin
    3. 3. Maxi Doge (MAXI) – New Meme Coin With High-Leverage, Degen-Trader Branding
    4. 4. Brett (BRETT) – Leading Base Chain Meme Coin With a Huge Community
    5. 5. PEPENODE (PEPENODE) – Newest Meme Coin With Utility Through GameFi Features
    6. 6. Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) – Best Performing Large-Cap Solana Meme Coin
    1. Extreme Volatility
    2. No Utility or Intrinsic Value
    3. Full Capital Loss
    4. Scams Like Pump-and-Dump Schemes
    1. 1. Consider Established vs. Newer Meme Coins
    2. 2. Assess Community Strength
    3. 3. Analyze Liquidity and Market Capitalization
    4. 4. Ensure You're Prepared for High Volatility
    5. 5. Evaluate Utility
    6. 6. Review the Tokenomics
    7. 7. Consider the Blockchain It Runs On
    8. 8. Evaluate Viral Appeal and Narrative
    9. 9. Use Scam Detection Tools
    1. Dog Meme Coins
    2. Cat Meme Coins
    3. AI Meme Coins
    4. Pop Culture and Internet Memes
  1. In This Article
    1. 1. Dogecoin (DOGE) – First-Ever Meme Coin, Launched as a Joke, Now Mainstream
    2. 2. Shiba Inu (SHIB) – Ethereum-Based Dogecoin Rival With DeFi Ambitions
    3. 3. Pepe (PEPE) – Deflationary Meme Coin Known for Viral Marketing
    4. 4. Bonk (BONK) – First Dog-Themed Meme Coin on Solana
    5. 5. Floki (FLOKI) – Meme Coin Evolving Into a GameFi & DeFi Ecosystem
    6. 6. dogwifhat (WIF) – Top Solana Dog Meme Coin With High Volatility
  2. Show Full Guide
    1. 1. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) – Upcoming Meme Coin With Bitcoin Layer 2 Functionality
    2. 2. Official Trump (TRUMP) – The Leading Political Meme Coin
    3. 3. Maxi Doge (MAXI) – New Meme Coin With High-Leverage, Degen-Trader Branding
    4. 4. Brett (BRETT) – Leading Base Chain Meme Coin With a Huge Community
    5. 5. PEPENODE (PEPENODE) – Newest Meme Coin With Utility Through GameFi Features
    6. 6. Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) – Best Performing Large-Cap Solana Meme Coin
    1. Extreme Volatility
    2. No Utility or Intrinsic Value
    3. Full Capital Loss
    4. Scams Like Pump-and-Dump Schemes
    1. 1. Consider Established vs. Newer Meme Coins
    2. 2. Assess Community Strength
    3. 3. Analyze Liquidity and Market Capitalization
    4. 4. Ensure You're Prepared for High Volatility
    5. 5. Evaluate Utility
    6. 6. Review the Tokenomics
    7. 7. Consider the Blockchain It Runs On
    8. 8. Evaluate Viral Appeal and Narrative
    9. 9. Use Scam Detection Tools
    1. Dog Meme Coins
    2. Cat Meme Coins
    3. AI Meme Coins
    4. Pop Culture and Internet Memes

Best New Meme Coins to Buy


  • Introducing the first Bitcoin L2 solution
  • Allows users to trade BTC almost instantaneously
  • Enhanced transaction security with ZK-proofs
Launch
May 2025
Meta
Bitcoin L2, Meme
Purchase Methods
  • USDC
    USDC
  • ETH
    ETH
  • usdt
    usdt
  • Meme-powered Dogecoin derivative with the focus on 1,000x leverage trading
  • Maxi Doge will feature community contests and partner events to engage with its audience
  • The project offers high staking rewards to its early supporters
Launch
July 2025
Meta
Meme, Trading
Purchase Methods
  • ETH
    ETH
  • usdt
    usdt
  • USDC
    USDC
  • bnb
    bnb
  • Bank Card
    Bank Card
  • +2 more
  • Gamifies mining of meme coins
  • Add nodes to your server to increase mining ability
  • Pay outs and bonuses in other top meme coins
Launch
August 2025
Meta
Mining
Purchase Methods
  • ETH
    ETH
  • USDC
    USDC
  • usdt
    usdt
  • Bank Card
    Bank Card
  • +1 more

Best Meme Coins List for 2025


Total Meme Coin Market Cap: $41.7 billion (-2.02%)

Here are the best established and new meme coins for December 2025:

Coin Symbol Blockchain Current Price Market Cap
🚀 Bitcoin Hyper hyper logoHYPER +16.57% Bitcoin Hyper (Bitcoin L2) $0.013405 $29.32M
Dogecoin doge logoDOGE 6.04% Dogecoin Network $0.13 $20.41B
Shiba Inu shib logoSHIB 3.59% Ethereum $0.0000082 $4.86B
🚀 Maxi Doge maxi logoMAXI +9.00% Ethereum $0.0002725 $4.31M
Pepe pepe logoPEPE 6.31% Ethereum $0.0000044 $1.87B
🚀 PEPENODE pepenode logoPEPENODE +18.26% Ethereum $0.0011873 $2.33M
Bonk BONK logoBONK 2.70% Solana $0.000019 $1.71B
Dogwifhat wif logoWIF 7.93% Solana $0.38 $381.67M
Official Trump TRUMP logoTRUMP 3.50% Solana $5.62 $5.62B
Floki floki logoFLOKI 6.72% BNB Smart Chain, Ethereum $0.000046 $448.36M
Brett brett logoBRETT 8.63% Base $0.016 $165.69M

ℹ️ The data in this table is revised weekly.

Top Meme Coins by Market Capitalization Reviewed


When the market is rough, a lot of people stick with meme coins that have already proven they can survive big drops. Right now, crypto feels cautious but not dead. There’s more regulation, more serious money, and more real products than in past hype cycles. In this section, we’ll look at these coins based on liquidity, community, utility, and overall track record.

Here, the focus is on established meme coins only, such as Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Pepe (PEPE), Bonk (BONK), Floki (FLOKI), and dogwifhat (WIF).

1. Dogecoin (DOGE) – First-Ever Meme Coin, Launched as a Joke, Now Mainstream

Dogecoin doge logoDOGE 6.04%, launched in 2013 as a joke based on the Shiba Inu meme, evolved into a major cryptocurrency. It is a fork of Luckycoin, which is a fork of Junkcoin, which also forked Litecoin, which itself is a fork of Bitcoin. Today, its market cap sits at $20.41B.

Dogecoin (DOGE)
24h7d30d1yAll time

Elon Musk continued to drive Dogecoin buzz and earned the attention of Dogecoin enthusiasts when he pledged to launch a real DOGE to the moon. Meanwhile, the revised spot Dogecoin ETF application from Bitwise has officially launched on November 26, under the ticker BWOW. It’s actively trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Combined, Musk’s visibility and the ETF pathway, create bullish headlines regardless of mixed flows by whales.

Pros

  • Strong community ensures long-term viability
  • Ultra-low fees enable microtransactions
  • Broad tipping and small payment adoption
  • Often moves by mentions from Elon Musk

Cons

  • No capped supply inflationary design
  • Minimal core developer maintenance cadence

Launch Date December 2013
Chain Dogecoin Network
Category Dog meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -6.04%
Current Price $0.13
Market Cap $20.41B

2. Shiba Inu (SHIB) – Ethereum-Based Dogecoin Rival With DeFi Ambitions

Following Dogecoin’s success, many meme coins gained traction, but Shiba Inu shib logoSHIB 3.59% remains a standout. Launched in 2020 on Ethereum, it combines meme appeal with smart contract support. This foundation helps it fit into real-world DeFi use cases more easily than others in its category.

Shiba Inu (SHIB)
24h7d30d1yAll time

The Shiba Inu ecosystem is growing constantly thanks to its Layer 2 Network, Shibarium, which expanded its utility beyond memes. Currently, SHIB is available on major exchanges and is trading at $0.0000082 with a -13.67% monthly change.

Pros

  • Community fuels active development
  • ShibaSwap and Shibarium boost utility
  • Extensive exchange listing and high liquidity
  • Token burns reduce supply

Cons

  • No utility outside of its ecosystem
  • Token burns fail to reduce SHIB’s massive supply

Launch Date August 2020
Chain Ethereum
Category Dog meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -3.59%
Current Price $0.0000082
Market Cap $4.86B

Learn more about Shiba Inu

3. Pepe (PEPE) – Deflationary Meme Coin Known for Viral Marketing

Pepe pepe logoPEPE 6.31% is a meme coin built on Ethereum and launched in April 2023. It reached a $1 billion market cap in three weeks and now sits at $1.87B. Its initial 420.69 trillion token supply is being reduced through ongoing burns, yet high circulating volume maintains ultra-low per-token valuation.

Pepe (PEPE)
24h7d30d1yAll time

Even though PEPE has little to no utility, the strong community hype keeps it relevant. It remains one of the top meme coins by market cap and keeps getting attention from the public, thanks to its association with the Pepe the Frog meme.

Pros

  • Unchangeable contract and renounced ownership
  • Large liquidity on major exchanges
  • Deflationary burns tighten token supply
  • One of the top five meme coins by market cap

Cons

  • Lacks a tangible project roadmap or utility
  • No identifiable development team leadership

Chain Ethereum
Category Frog meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -6.31%
Current Price $0.0000044
Market Cap $1.87B

Learn more about Pepe

4. Bonk (BONK) – First Dog-Themed Meme Coin on Solana

Bonk BONK logoBONK 2.70% is a Solana-based meme coin themed around Shiba Inu. It launched with a major airdrop on December 25, 2022, and helped drive Solana’s recovery in 2023.

Bonk (BONK2)
24h7d30d1yAll time

BONK is currently available on major exchanges, including Binance and Coinbase, with a market cap of $1.71B. Other than being a meme coin, BONK also powers tools like BonkSwap and BonkBot, and NFT drops. Even though it doesn’t have a formal roadmap, its active community and recent momentum are keeping it relevant.

Pros

  • Active Solana community backing
  • Fast and cheap Solana transactions
  • BONK DAO promotes governance
  • One of the top 10 meme coins by market cap

Cons

  • 100T supply risks dilution
  • Hype-dependent growth model
  • DAO controls 9% of the supply

Chain Solana
Category Solana meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -2.70%
Current Price $0.000019
Market Cap $1.71B

Learn more about Bonk

5. Floki (FLOKI) – Meme Coin Evolving Into a GameFi & DeFi Ecosystem

Inspired by Elon Musk’s doge, Floki floki logoFLOKI 6.72% was launched in 2021 and has evolved since then beyond its meme nature. Its tangible ecosystem offers decentralized finance tools, educational platforms, and a metaverse game, which aim to keep growing alongside its active community.

Floki Inu (FLOKI)
24h7d30d1yAll time

Thanks to its ongoing feature development and strategic burns, FLOKI is seeing great momentum on major exchanges. Moreover, its dedicated community continues to support its growth as it follows its roadmap to be a notable project in the market.

Pros

  • Deflationary tokenomics from burns
  • Cross-chain accessibility
  • Strategic partnerships and marketing
  • One of the top 10 meme coins by market cap

Cons

  • Extremely high total token supply
  • Complex cross-chain token management
  • DAO decisions risk inconsistent direction
  • Burn mechanics have minimal impact on price

Chain Binance Smart Chain, Ethereum, FlokiChain Layer-2
Category Dog meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -6.72%
Current Price $0.000046
Market Cap $448.36M

Learn more about Floki

6. dogwifhat (WIF) – Top Solana Dog Meme Coin With High Volatility

Launched on Solana in 2023, Dogwifhat wif logoWIF 7.93%, quickly became one of the top dog meme coins. It’s listed on major exchange listings like Binance and Coinbase. The token merges dog meme appeal with Solana’s speed, helping it fit speculative trading narratives more easily than other well-established meme coins.

Dogwifhat (WIF)
24h7d30d1yAll time

WIF trades actively on major platforms and stays visible on social media.It now trades around $0.38 with a -15.15% monthly decrease.

Pros

  • Exchange listings enhance accessibility
  • Strong community fuels trading interest
  • Ultra‑fast, ultra‑cheap trades
  • Launched on Solana, a popular meme coin trading venue

Cons

  • No meaningful protocol utility
  • Lacks long-term roadmap clarity
  • Price tied to hype cycles

Chain Solana
Category Dog meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -7.93%
Current Price $0.38
Market Cap $381.67M

Learn more about dogwifhat

Top Meme Coins That Could Explode Next Reviewed


In this section, we’ll look at meme coins that could be next in line for big moves, even in a shaky market. Many traders are hunting for projects that still have room to grow, so we’ll focus on hype, community, token utility, and basic risk levels across both new and existing tokens.

Because we’ll cover upcoming meme coins like Bitcoin Hyper and Maxi Doge alongside already launched new meme coins such as Official Trump, we used Z-scores to normalize values and make comparisons fair. Let’s dive in.

1. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) – Upcoming Meme Coin With Bitcoin Layer 2 Functionality

Unlike other meme coins that depend only on online hype, Bitcoin Hyper hyper logoHYPER +16.57% offers real utility by introducing a Layer 2 solution for Bitcoin. It aims to improve transaction speed and reduce costs. The token is inspired by Pepe the Frog, a famous meme taken from Matt Fury’s book “Boy’s Club.”

bitcoin hyper, an upcoming meme coin

The novel design of Bitcoin Hyper unleashes the power of Bitcoin by allowing for low-cost payments, applications — and you guessed it — memes. Although HYPER is a meme coin, you can also use it as a medium of exchange and other on-chain activities.

Pros

  • Integrates Bitcoin with Layer 2
  • Fast transactions with low fees
  • Trustless bridge for secure transfers
  • First Bitcoin rollup powered by SVM

Cons

  • Anonymous team, closed source
  • No testnet or demo available
Bitcoin Hyper Launch Date Q4 2025
Chain Solana, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Hyper (Bitcoin L2)
Category Bitcoin meme coin
Current Price $0.013405
Price Increase +16.57%
Amount Raised $29.32M
Learn more about Bitcoin Hyper

Visit Bitcoin Hyper

2. Official Trump (TRUMP) – The Leading Political Meme Coin

Launched in 2015 on the Solana blockchain, Official Trump TRUMP logoTRUMP 3.50% is a directly-endorsed token by the current U.S. president, Donald J. Trump. It quickly became a digital symbol for political supporters with its capped supply of 1BN tokens. The coin fuels its community and activism using fast and low-cost transactions.

Official Trump (TRUMP8)
24h7d30d1yAll time

Newsmax approved a strategy to purchase up to $5 million of Bitcoin and TRUMP in 12 months, and its purchase was planned to begin on October 16, 2025. The broadcaster listed on the NYSE institutionalized custody, and it would be the initial corporate holder of TRUMP, having pegged its value with the presidency of Trump after raising capital.

Pros

  • Charitable giving component
  • Fast Solana transactions
  • Strong political branding
  • Often moves with positive news regarding Donald Trump

Cons

  • Centralized token ownership
  • Limited technical utility
  • Regulatory scrutiny risks

Chain Solana
Category Political meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -3.50%
Current Price $5.62
Market Cap $5.62B

Learn more about Official Trump

3. Maxi Doge (MAXI) – New Meme Coin With High-Leverage, Degen-Trader Branding

Maxi Doge maxi logoMAXI +9.00% is a trending new meme coin featuring a bodybuilder version of the iconic Shiba Inu dog, which embodies the extreme crypto trading culture. It positions itself as the top dog in the Shiba coin family tree, targeting crypto degens who enjoy the excitement of trading with high leverage.

maxi doge presale homepage

What’s worth noting is that Maxi Doge has allocated 25% of its total token supply to the “MAXI Fund” for building partnerships, with hints at collaborations with futures trading platforms where the community could potentially trade MAXI with up to 1000x leverage.

Pros

  • Inspired by Doge and benefits from its fame
  • 40% of the token supply is for rapid visibility and viral growth
  • Future plans include utility and partnerships
  • Community-focused tokenomics

Cons

  • Presale structure risks token dumps once unlocked
  • It needs innovation to successed
Maxi Doge Launch Date Late 2025
Chain Ethereum
Category Dog meme coin
Current Price $0.0002725
Price Increase +9.00%
Raised So Far $4.31M

Visit Maxi Doge

4. Brett (BRETT) – Leading Base Chain Meme Coin With a Huge Community

Inspired by a popular comic character, Brett brett logoBRETT 8.63% launched in 2024 on the Base blockchain, thriving on community culture and humor. It has a fixed supply of 10BN tokens to create scarcity. It also has a renounced contract that ensures a trustless and fully community-driven project with no transaction taxes.

Brett (base) (BRETT)
24h7d30d1yAll time

Base’s meme ecosystem has exploded in 2025, with billions in TVL, millions of daily transactions, and thousands of new tokens launching thanks to low fees and easy minting tools. In this environment, Brett stands out as Base’s blue-chip meme: big market cap, deep liquidity, strong community, and a major share of meme flows.

Pros

  • No transaction fees
  • Fixed, scarce token supply
  • Renounced contract for trust

Cons

  • Minimal protocol utility beyond branding
  • Dependent on Base chain adoption
  • Little developer transparency or roadmap

Chain Ethereum
Category “Boy’s Club” meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -8.63%
Current Price $0.016
Market Cap $165.69M

Learn more about Brett

5. PEPENODE (PEPENODE) – Newest Meme Coin With Utility Through GameFi Features

PEPENODE pepenode logoPEPENODE +18.26% offers virtual mining features. Instead of needing real hardware for deployment, you can build a mining empire digitally by buying and upgrading virtual nodes using the native token, PEPENODE. With each upgrade, 70% of the spent tokens are burnt to boost scarcity. This gives this coin real, game-like utility.

screenshot of pepenode top gaming meme coin

Beyond its high-staking APYs and referral rewards, PEPENODE offers off-chain gameplay before its on-chain rollout later in 2025. The only caveat? Its success hinges on the adoption of the virtual mining ecosystem. Still, among this year’s meme coins, few balance fun, gamification, and deflationary mechanics this neatly.

Pros

  • Mining with memes and gamified fun
  • Presale staking yields are at 564%
  • Competitions to get bonuses in other meme coins
  • Has a deflationary model to burn 70% of the supply

Cons

  • Early in the process, making this a high-risk, high-reward conviction play
  • The team behind the project is anonymous
  • Mining mechanics is a closed-loop
PEPENODE Launch Date TBA
Chain Ethereum
Category Ethereum meme coin
Current Price 0.0011873
Price Increase +18.26%
Raised So Far $2.33M
Learn more about PEPENODE

Visit PEPENODE

6. Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) – Best Performing Large-Cap Solana Meme Coin

Fartcoin fartcoin logoFARTCOIN 4.57% is a meme token on Solana that leans into silly, irreverent humor and has a fixed supply of 1 billion coins. In the last 30 days, it was the best-performing large-cap meme coin, with 16 green days, strong weekly gains, and very active trading across major exchanges.

Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)
24h7d30d1yAll time

It is listed on centralized exchanges, such as MEXC, and major Solana DEXs, such as Raydium, which provide it with deep order books and tight spreads. This liquidity enables it to react promptly to the changes in the meme sector, particularly in circumstances where traders are turning out of older stakes such as Dogecoin and PEPE into newer Solana-based investments.

Pros

  • Good liquidity in the major CEXs and Solana DEXs
  • Top monthly performance large-cap meme coin
  • Uncomplicated tokenomics, no team allocation, or transaction tax
  • Smaller position sizes can be established

Cons

  • Violent price fluctuations of trader sentiment
  • Few applications in practice other than meme trading
  • Depends on the attention
Chain Solana
Category AI Meme coin
24-Hour Price Change -4.57%
Current Price $0.34
Market Cap $348.90M
Learn more about Fartcoin

What is a Meme Coin?


Meme coins are a type of cryptocurrency inspired by internet culture, humor, or viral trends. Unlike traditional crypto projects like Ethereum or Solana, which are built to solve specific technical problems, meme coins often have little to no inherent utility.

What sets them apart is how their value is driven: not by use cases, but by social media buzz, online communities, and sometimes celebrity endorsements.

These coins are typically launched on open blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, or Base, which makes it very simple to create meme coins, trade them, and access them on decentralized or peer-to-peer exchanges.

Because meme coins thrive on hype and community energy, their prices can move sharply in short periods of time. Some early buyers have made big gains, but the market is still very speculative. It’s best to diversify across chains and different meme coin types to help reduce risk. Ultimately, meme coins are driven less about utility and more by community momentum and timing.

How Do Meme Coins Work?


Meme coins don’t have their own consensus mechanisms; they instead rely on the security and infrastructure of their host blockchain. Developers, for lack of a better word, create them using tools that streamline the creation process. These include on-chain platforms like pump.fun and Believe, or off-chain platforms like Web3Toolkit.

With these services, developers usually don’t have to create their own liquidity pools, manually code their smart contracts, or handle many other difficulties that come with launching a token. They may even provide automated pricing mechanisms, payment gateways, and launches on decentralized exchanges.

Meme coins are known for their extreme price swings due to their speculative nature. If the projects have minimum utility and low development, they might fade quickly even if there are thousands emerging every day. Their appeal lies in low entry prices and meme-centric branding, not functionality.

A project’s success depends entirely on the community backing it to drive marketing efforts and sustain momentum. Projects with meme contests, staking rewards, and influencer collaborations keep their relevance.

What are the Advantages of Investing in Meme Coins?


Meme coins offer a high-risk, high-reward scenario driven by social hype rather than utility and fundamentals. Here are a couple of key advantages of investing in meme coins:

  • High short-term gains: Low entry prices and social media hype can possibly result in massive returns.
  • Early-access opportunities: Presales and trending moments allow for low-price entry before the coin’s price rises post-launch.
  • Community-driven momentum: Viral marketing and cultural relevance result in price surges.
  • Retail-friendly markets: With fewer whales controlling the supply, smaller investors have a better chance to influence early-stage prices.

What are the Risks of Investing in Meme Coins?


While meme coins offer lottery-like profit potential, they demand extreme caution due to volatility and scams. Here’s what to look out for:

Extreme Volatility

Meme coins can swing wildly within hours. A tweet, a viral post, or a celebrity mention may send prices soaring, then crashing just as fast. Moves of hundreds of percent up or down happen. Liquidity often thins during panic, widening spreads and making exits harder. Stop-loss orders can slip in fast drops.

If you buy, expect sharp turns and frequent whipsaws. Size positions so a sudden plunge doesn’t wreck your portfolio. Decide your max loss in advance and stick to it.

No Utility or Intrinsic Value

Most meme coins don’t offer a working product, a revenue, or tech to support them, making their prices dependant entirely on attention and community hype rather than cash flow or utility. Without utility, it’s hard to determine the project’s value, making the long-term outlook shaky. Narratives shift quickly, and interest can fade overnight.

Listings or influencer posts may temporarily increase prices, but they don’t create lasting value. While roadmaps often promise features that never arrive. It’s best to treat these coins as speculation. If a project later adds real utility, you can then reassess. Until that happens, base decisions on risk, not wishful thinking or viral momentum.

Full Capital Loss

Total loss is possible. Thin liquidity can trap holders when sellers rush for the exit. If a pool’s liquidity is pulled, trading can collapse, and tokens can become worthless. Some exchanges delist weak or inactive projects, cutting off easy selling routes and leaving holders stuck with stranded assets.

Poor transparency hides risks around token unlocks, treasury control, and developer wallets. Sudden dumps from large holders can crush the price before you react. Assume money placed in a meme coin might go to zero. Limit position sizes, avoid chasing spikes, and plan exits ahead so you aren’t deciding under pressure.

Scams Like Pump-and-Dump Schemes

The meme coin scene attracts scams. Pump-and-dump groups hype a token, lure buyers in, then unload at the top, leaving latecomers with steep losses. Rug pulls happen when creators drain liquidity or vanish with funds after building trust through marketing and social channels. Fake contract addresses and look-alike tickers also trick buyers.

Team anonymity can hide repeat offenders. Protect yourself: copy the contract from official sources, check for locked liquidity and clear ownership, review top holders, and read the code or audits if available. Be wary of guaranteed returns, secret groups, and rushed timelines. If anything feels off, walk away.

What to Consider Before Buying Meme Coins


Selecting a meme coin to buy requires checking key factors. Some factors that you should focus on include the strength of the community, the token’s liquidity, and its tokenomics.

You should also consider the underlying blockchain and the transparency of the creators. This careful analysis helps you identify projects with potential and manage risks.

1. Consider Established vs. Newer Meme Coins

When picking a meme coin, first decide if you want something established or new. Established names like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu offer long price histories, big communities, and many exchange listings—easier to trade, usually steadier, but with less explosive upside. New coins can move fast and innovate, but they’re riskier and often thin on liquidity.

Quick checks before buying:

  • Community strength and developer activity
  • Transparent site, tokenomics, and (ideally) audits
  • Where it’s listed and how deep the liquidity is
  • Real utility or credible partnerships
  • Your own risk tolerance and position size

If you prefer predictable liquidity and fewer surprises, established coins fit better. If you’re chasing high-risk, high-reward and can handle swings, newer coins may appeal—just verify contracts, start small, and set exit rules. Matching coin type to your goals—and sticking to a simple, repeatable process—will help you navigate the meme coin space.

2. Assess Community Strength

Meme coins live and die by their community. A loyal, loud, and growing user base is a green flag.

To evaluate this, you should start by measuring engagement on platforms like X and Telegram. This includes looking into follower growth, posting frequency, and active participants (i.e., the number of presale investors or on-chain token holders).

amount raised, current price, and holder stats of bullzilla

For established projects, you should also check whether influencers, celebrities, or mainstream media outlets have mentioned the coin in any way. Recent mentions reveal potential short-term price spikes. Older mentions are also noteworthy as they could signal that the meme coin has become a household name with staying power.

3. Analyze Liquidity and Market Capitalization

Liquidity is how easily you can buy or sell a cryptocurrency without moving its price much.

If you try to sell 1,000,000 tokens of a small coin with only $20,000 in daily volume, there aren’t enough buyers. Your sale can slam the price from $0.10 to $0.06 in seconds—a 40% drop. That’s low liquidity in action.

Now compare that to Bitcoin. It moved about $62 billion in the last 24 hours. Selling $1 million of BTC barely nudges the price. High liquidity keeps markets steadier, makes execution cleaner, and reduces room for games.

Why this matters:

  • Prices hold steadier under stress.
  • You can get in and out quickly.
  • It’s harder for whales or scammers to jerk prices around.

A simple check is the daily trading volume. Higher volume usually means better liquidity. As a rule of thumb, avoid meme coins trading under $1 million per day. More advanced users can also watch the bid–ask spread; a tight gap (under 1–2%) is another good sign.

screenshot of BTC's trading volume

Also consider market capitalization. Large-cap meme coins (e.g., multi-billion caps) are typically more liquid and less jumpy but offer fewer explosive runs. Small caps can move fast and sometimes deliver outsized gains, yet they’re easier to manipulate, can vanish from exchanges, and may dilute supply.

This ties to early entry. Getting in early on a low-cap coin can mean better prices and bigger upside if liquidity and demand grow. The downsides are real: thinner order books, higher slippage, greater rug-pull risk, and limited exit routes. If you pursue early entry, size positions modestly, verify the contract from official sources, and track both market cap and volume as they evolve.

4. Ensure You’re Prepared for High Volatility

Meme coins can rise and crash very quickly, so treat them as small side bets instead of the main part of your portfolio. Choose in advance how much money you’re truly willing to lose, keep each position modest, and avoid going all-in on new, low-liquidity tokens.

Before making a purchase, check the following basics: price history, trading volume, recent news, and what’s happening on X, Telegram, or Discord. Set clear profit targets and a level where you’ll cut losses, and write those down before you enter. Taking profits in stages can help you lock in gains while still leaving a little room to run. Expect sharp swings, don’t stare at the chart all day, and avoid changing your plan just because candles turned red or green for an hour.

Why this preparation matters:

  • Helps reduce the impact of a coin suddenly crashing
  • Keeps emotional reactions from controlling buys and sells
  • Protects your long-term investments from meme coin volatility
  • Makes it easier to avoid scams and hype-driven pumps

5. Evaluate Utility

When you look at a meme coin, don’t stop at the jokes and charts. Utility is what decides if a token has a life beyond a quick pump. Start by asking: what does this coin actually do, and who would genuinely need it?

You can break that down into a few checks:

  • Does it power payments, governance, access to tools, NFTs, or DeFi?
  • Is it integrated with real platforms, wallets, or partners?
  • Are developers shipping updates and hitting roadmap milestones?
  • Is the community active beyond price chatter and giveaways?
  • Do tokenomics reward holders, stakers, or real users (not just insiders)?

Dig into whether the project brings anything new, like burns, special rewards, or cross-chain use. Also, check if the team at least acknowledges basic legal and compliance concerns, especially if they promise financial utilities or launchpad access.

This matters because most meme coins move on hype alone. When the memes fade, only those with real uses tend to keep interest and liquidity. Focusing on utility helps you filter out short-lived fads, protect your capital, and back projects that can survive more than one market cycle.

6. Review the Tokenomics

Tokenomics, a.k.a. token economics, describes how the tokens of a crypto project are created, distributed, and managed. We can’t go over every factor that makes good or bad tokenomics here because it’s a very vast field.

That said, the main red flags are:

  • An extremely large token supply.
  • A low percentage of circulating tokens, with the rest being held by the founders.
  • Little to no information about the release schedule of non-circulating tokens.

For example, a project with a total supply of 10 trillion tokens, with only 10% in circulation and the rest locked with the founders, has poor tokenomics and is prone to manipulation. If the founders start selling, the price will quickly crash. Similarly, if they release a large portion of tokens, the price will collapse due to inflation.

In contrast, a meme coin with a fixed supply of 100 million tokens with 70% circulating, 20% held for future development, and 10% for rewards has good tokenomics. That balance promotes investor confidence, keeps inflation low, and promotes long-term holding.

To analyze tokenomics before investing:

  • Check the maximum supply vs. total supply vs. circulating supply.
  • Evaluate the distribution.
  • Look at the token emissions and burn schedules.
  • Read the whitepaper to understand governance, staking rewards, and other ways the tokens are used.

Screenshot of BTC's tokenomics

7. Consider the Blockchain It Runs On

When choosing a meme coin, it’s also important to look at which blockchain it runs on. This is particularly important if you plan to use a decentralized exchange because it determines transaction speed, trading fees, and overall safety.

For example, buying $20 worth of an Ethereum meme coin might cost $10 to $20 in gas fees during network congestion, while the same trade on Solana or Base costs less than a cent and confirms in under a second. High trading costs eat into profits, especially for small, frequent trades.

The underlying blockchain also impacts liquidity, but it doesn’t matter much when comparing meme coins in large chains like Ethereum, Solana, and BSC, only for smaller, niche blockchains. You can easily assess transaction costs by using a platform like our live Ethereum gas fees tracker.

screenshot of our live Ethereum gas fees tracker.

8. Evaluate Viral Appeal and Narrative

Viral appeal and a clear story pull people in and move prices. Favor memes and themes that feel familiar and travel fast. Scan Twitter/X, Reddit, TikTok, and Discord for organic hashtags, running jokes, and repeat posts. A community that makes its own content and self-organizes is a strong signal.

Creators and public figures can kick-start momentum, and well-timed campaigns, giveaways, and playful storytelling keep it going. Coverage in crypto outlets and mainstream press widens the audience beyond core holders and can push a project into broader awareness.

Caution is essential because forced hype, paid shilling without organic chatter, and recycled narratives often fade quickly. Pair this review with basics like supply, liquidity, and roadmap. Viral waves can be brief—plan entries and exits, take profits, and size positions conservatively.

9. Use Scam Detection Tools

After you have done the aforementioned steps, it is best practice to use some scam detection tools, just in case. You should remember that these tools are only as powerful as the user, and they are not a substitute for an expert opinion. That being said, here are some tools you can use, and they are useful for:

Platforms like RugCheck are general detection tools. They provide a risk analysis detailing the likelihood of a token being a scam.

Bubblemaps and similar platforms assess how tokens are concentrated or distributed among all holders. So, if you see a large supply of meme coins held by a single or cluster of wallets, it is likely that the token is a scam.

A good way to spot phishing sites is by using Scam Sniffer, MetaMask Phishing Detect, and ChainPatrol. Some of these tools also double as browser extensions that can blacklist websites.

Lastly, MetaMask helps users by flagging scam addresses and tokens. This is very useful, as many phishing detection tools do not cover on-chain addresses.

What Types of Meme Coins are There?


So far in 2025, dog meme coins have been leading the market thanks to their strong price correlation and structured nature. Yet, all meme coins are still evolving with themes that tap into culture, tech, and identity. Understanding the different types can help you spot trends early, assess risk more accurately, and build a meme coin strategy that aligns with your goals.

Dog Meme Coins

Dog meme coins are crypto projects inspired by internet memes featuring dogs. They often start as a joke and later evolve into speculative assets with massive communities. The movement began in 2013 with Dogecoin (DOGE), a fork of Litecoin featuring the Shiba Inu “Doge” meme.

top dog meme coins by market cap

While DOGE was originally a parody, it quickly gained serious momentum during the 2021 bull run, amplified by Elon Musk’s endorsements. This momentum caused the start of the dog meme coin wave, causing new coins to appear, including:

  • Shiba Inu (SHIB)
  • Bonk (BONK)
  • Floki Inu (FLOKI)
  • dogwifhat (WIF)

Cat Meme Coins

Cat meme coins are based on feline internet culture — think viral cat videos, memes, and the internet’s long-standing obsession with cats. While dog meme coins dominated early meme coin cycles, cat-themed tokens gained traction in 2023 and exploded in 2024 as investors sought the “next DOGE.”

top cat meme coins on CMC

Some of the biggest successes include:

  • Toshi (TOSHI)
  • Mog Coin (MOG)
  • cat in a dog’s world (MEW)
  • Popcat (POPCAT)

AI Meme Coins

AI meme coins are projects that merge artificial intelligence with meme culture. Some tokens are AI-generated, meaning everything behind the project is made using generative AI, including the token’s concept, branding, and even tokenomics.

top AI meme coins by market cap

Notable examples include:

  • Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)
  • BUILDon (B)

Pop Culture and Internet Memes

Pop culture and internet meme coins are based on viral internet moments, celebrities, or iconic characters. They are often launched rapidly to capitalize on trending topics. They’re part meme, part cultural timestamp, and fully speculative.

Lately, we’ve seen a rise in parody-style memes and TikTok-fueled tokens like Tralalero Tralala (TRALALERO), inspired by the Italian brainrot trend. There has also been a rise of the China-theme memes category, such as PeiPei (PEIPEI).

Some coins tied to viral memes include:

  • The classic Pepe (PEPE)
  • Moo Deng (MOODENG)
  • Just a chill guy (CHILLGUY)
  • Biaoqing (BIAO)

screenshot of top parody meme coins by market cap on CMC

These coins rely entirely on momentum: a trending meme, TikTok clip, or X post can send prices soaring. Many originate from platforms like Pump.fun, a key tool for creating meme coins, which saw over 12 million tokens launched since its debut, according to Dune on-chain data.

How to Buy Meme Coins


Learn the terrain before you purchase meme coins in 2025. Hype works swiftly, fraud is widespread, and prices may soar or plummet within minutes. Make sure you use secure tools, check details, and never allocate money that you can’t easily afford to lose.

This is how to do it without trapfalls:

  1. Choose a self-custody wallet (Best Wallet for Ethereum, and Phantom for Solana, for example).
  2. Buy base crypto (ETH or SOL) to pay network fees and make swaps.
  3. Choose a trusted venue like a major CEX or a reputable DEX like Uniswap or Raydium.
  4. Paste the token’s official contract address from the project’s site or verified channels.
  5. Start with a small test trade, set tight slippage, and cap your position size.
  6. Confirm the transaction on a block explorer and add the token to your wallet.
  7. Track your position with a portfolio app and set clear profit and loss levels.

After buying, keep watch. Meme coins often follow social chatter, so monitor project posts, liquidity changes, and contract updates. Use explorers to review holder concentration and liquidity locks. Stick to the best wallets for storing meme coins and avoid impulse trades. Steady research, simple rules, and strict risk limits do more for results than luck.

What Our Expert Says...
Ihssan El Medkouri
SEO Content Editor, Meme Coins Expert
“When investing, always have an exit strategy. Decide in advance at what price you will take profits or cut losses. Also, limit your exposure by only allocating a small portion of your portfolio to meme coins, as they are extremely high-risk assets.“
Ihssan El Medkouri
SEO Content Editor, Meme Coins Expert

What is the Best Meme Coin Trading Platform?


The best platform for meme coin trading depends on what you are looking for, from low fees to ease of use to access to new tokens. Let’s explore a couple of top options:

  • Binance: This is the go-to option for beginners as it offers a range of meme coins and relatively low trading fees. Yet, not all new or trending meme coins are listed early.
  • MEXC: This platform is known for listing new meme coins fast, making it perfect for those chasing new tokens. However, some new coins carry a higher risk, causing liquidity to be lower.
  • Uniswap and other DEXs: This is where investors can find most meme coins as they offer early access with complete control of their funds. But, they need a compatible wallet and basic knowledge of gas fees and slippage settings for a smoother experience.
  • Best Wallet: This all-in-one app merges wallet functions with meme coin discovery. It makes trading easier for mobile users, but it may not suit those who prefer desktop platforms as it only comes in a mobile app form.

Are Meme Coins Legit?


According to the SEC’s 2025 clarification, meme coins are treated as legit digital assets but not as securities under U.S. federal law. The agency views these tokens more like digital collectibles than investment contracts. This means that when investors buy meme coins, they are not entering a common enterprise or relying on someone else’s work to make profit.

This is a key element in the Howey Test used to define securities. Meme coins do not provide dividends, yields, or ownership rights in any business. As a result, the SEC does not regulate them as securities, meaning they fall outside the investor protections that apply to traditional investments.

But, this doesn’t mean that meme coins are risk-free or can’t face legal consequences. Under existing federal or state laws, fraud, manipulation, and other misconduct related to meme coins remain subject to prosecution.

Despite not all meme coins being scams, they still come with a lot of speculation, volatility, and even lack oversight. This is why it’s best to see them as entertainment-based assets rather than solid investments. Anyone interested in them should approach them cautiously and treat them like digital collectibles rather than serious financial tools.

Conclusion


Meme coins are high-risk, high-reward opportunities that are driven by community engagement, market trends, and viral potential. To make sure you are maximizing your returns, you should diversify your investments across established and emerging meme coins while keeping an eye on tokenomics, market sentiment, and technological developments. It’s also best to conduct your own analysis to safely navigate this volatile sector.

Projects like Bitcoin Hyper, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu offer strong potential upside. Among these, Bitcoin Hyper is the best new meme coin to buy now. It’s a Layer 2 blockchain that makes Bitcoin faster and cheaper to transact, as well as allowing for smart contracts to be deployed. This high token utility is likely to help it maintain value in the long run.

Visit Bitcoin Hyper

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


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References

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

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