Changpeng Zhao Criticizes Meme Coins, Urges Developers to Focus on Creating Real Applications

On November 26, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), former CEO of Binance, voiced his concerns about the growing popularity of meme coins, calling for a shift toward meaningful blockchain innovation.

Meme Coins Under Fire

CZ expressed in an X post that meme coins are becoming “a little weird” and emphasized the need for “real applications” that provide value.

This commentary has revived discussions about the practicality of meme coins, which often lack tangible utility.

CZ posted on X platform: "I’m not against Meme coins, but Meme coins have become a bit ‘strange’ now. Let’s use blockchain technology to build real-world applications." pic.twitter.com/qqTklK39Ud

— Chelsea Janna (@AirDropAgent888) November 26, 2024

Typically marketed through social media trends and viral campaigns, these coins create quick excitement but fail to deliver sustainable gains.

Research from CoinWire shows that many meme coins lose over 90% of their value within three months of launch, leaving most investors at a loss.

Despite their popularity, CZ’s concerns reflect the risks these tokens pose to the crypto ecosystem, where trust and credibility are vital for long-term growth.

The challenges associated with meme coins were recently highlighted by controversies surrounding Pump.fun, a Solana-based project. A feature meant to encourage user interaction was exploited in disturbing ways, including a user threatening self-harm to manipulate the token’s market cap.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has also weighed in, arguing that tokens like Dogecoin lack significant contributions to the crypto ecosystem.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse
I get a ton of shit when i say these things but I’m going to say it anyway, I don’t think Dogecoin has been a good thing for the industry.

It’s about solving real Problems . 🏁 pic.twitter.com/XMeEWaJz8O

— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) May 31, 2024

Similarly, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called out celebrity-endorsed meme coins, stating that financial projects should deliver “value to society” rather than chase short-term profits.

A Call for Responsible Development

The rise of meme coins underscores the importance of responsible innovation within the blockchain space. Although such tokens might attract new investors, their lack of practical applications risks undermining the credibility of the crypto ecosystem.

Not all impacts of meme coins are negative. For instance, their recent surge contributed to a significant boost in Solana’s performance.

Solana recorded $5.9 million in revenue, marking a new all-time high, showcasing how hype-driven trends can sometimes bring short-term benefits to the crypto ecosystem.

CZ’s suggestion for developers to prioritize real-world utility over fleeting trends aligns with the broader need for sustainable growth in cryptocurrency.

Ultimately, the future of the industry depends on a shift from speculative ventures to meaningful applications, ensuring that blockchain technology fulfils its potential to drive positive change.