
The memecoin supercycle phenomenon has been a wild ride, with prices skyrocketing and plummeting in a matter of weeks. It's not uncommon for a memecoin to gain 1,000% in value in a single day.
The rise of memecoins is often attributed to their low market capitalization, making them more susceptible to price manipulation. This can be seen in the example of Dogecoin, which had a market capitalization of around $1 billion at its peak.
However, not all memecoins are created equal, and their prices can be influenced by a variety of factors, including hype, social media, and even celebrity endorsements. For instance, Elon Musk's tweet about Dogecoin sent its price soaring.
The memecoin supercycle is a self-reinforcing cycle, where hype and speculation drive prices up, which in turn creates more hype and speculation. This can create a feedback loop that's hard to break.
If this caught your attention, see: Meme Coin Crypto
What is a Meme Coin?
A memecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that's driven by social media hype and community support, rather than its actual value or usefulness.
These coins often start as jokes or internet memes, but can quickly gain traction and rise in value. Established meme tokens can increase by 10x to 100x in a supercycle.
Meme coins are not limited to well-known tokens like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu; even lesser-known coins and new launches can experience rapid increases in value during a supercycle.
The key driver behind these supercycles is market sentiment, fueled by collective excitement and the fear of missing out (FOMO).
2020-2021: Meme Coin Boom
The 2020-2021 period saw a significant meme coin supercycle, with tokens like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu posting dramatic price gains. Dogecoin surged from $0.0025 in late 2020 to a peak of $0.7376 in May 2021—a gain of nearly 30,000%.
This supercycle was notable for the introduction of several new meme tokens, including FLOKI, which followed Dogecoin and Shiba Inu’s lead. The collective excitement and FOMO among traders and investors drove the rapid increase in value of these tokens.
Shiba Inu also made headlines with a remarkable 173,000x return, minting new crypto millionaires and drawing massive attention to meme coins. The crypto market entered a "crypto winter" by December 2021, but major meme coins remained at higher price levels than in previous years.
Major meme coins were able to withstand the crypto winter, showing that meme coin cycles can have a lasting impact even after the hype fades. The market sentiment fueled by social media hype and community support played a key role in the rapid growth of these tokens.
Understanding Meme Supercycles
A memecoin supercycle is a period when meme token prices skyrocket across the market.
The key driver behind these supercycles is market sentiment fueled by social media hype and community support, rather than intrinsic value or utility.
Established meme tokens can increase by 10x to 100x during a supercycle, while newer or smaller tokens can achieve even higher returns, sometimes 1,000x or more.
Origins
The term "memecoin supercycle" was introduced by Murad Mahmudov, a crypto investor known for his theories on meme token growth.
Murad Mahmudov believes that meme coins create an ongoing cycle of prosperity based on the strength of their decentralized communities.
These communities are drawn to the promise of wealth and the sense of belonging, which together fuel demand and price surges.
However, not everyone buys into this theory - some analysts, like Jameson Lopp, are skeptical about the long-term viability of meme coins.
They liken the meme coin economy to a trend that’s bound to collapse under its own hype.
Understanding Meme Narratives
The current market capitalization of the memecoin sector is around $55 billion, which is just over 2% of the total cryptocurrency market cap. This staggering figure is a testament to the rapid growth and popularity of memecoins, leaving traditional investors and analysts scratching their heads.
Memecoin stories are constantly evolving at a rapid pace, with over 3 million tokens created on the Solana blockchain alone through the Pump.Fun platform. The sheer number of projects created is staggering.
Worth a look: Memecoin Whitepaper
The sector started with animal-themed coins such as Dogecoin, which remained popular through several derivative coins and across blockchains. These coins have inspired a wide range of trends, including cat-themed coins like Popcat, which accumulated over $1.1 billion.
Memecoin narratives are constantly shifting, with new trends emerging all the time. For example, abstract art, emoji-based coins, and cultural and personality-based coins have recently gained popularity, inspired by figures such as Joe Biden, Donald Trump, or other Hollywood celebrities.
The various blockchains have also started to cultivate communities, with some of the top memecoins emerging from these ecosystems. For example, the layer 2 base chain has one of the top 10 memecoins "BRETT", which is a character from Matt Furie's Boys' Club comic.
Past Supercycles: Historical Review
The 2020-2021 period saw the most significant meme coin supercycle to date, with tokens like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu posting dramatic price gains. Dogecoin surged from $0.0025 in late 2020 to a peak of $0.7376 in May 2021—a gain of nearly 30,000%.
Meme coins have been around for a while, and the concept of a memecoin supercycle is relatively new, but the crypto market has witnessed similar periods of explosive growth in meme tokens. The term "memecoin supercycle" was introduced by Murad Mahmudov, a crypto investor known for his theories on meme token growth.
Dogecoin's surge was notable for the introduction of several new meme tokens, including FLOKI, which followed Dogecoin and Shiba Inu’s lead. FLOKI's success was part of a larger trend that saw major meme coins remain at higher price levels than in previous years, even after the hype faded.
The 2020-2021 supercycle was notable for the remarkable 173,000x return of Shiba Inu, minting new crypto millionaires and drawing massive attention to meme coins. This supercycle was a key event in the history of meme coins, and it laid the groundwork for future supercycles.
Can We Predict the Next Supercycle?
Memecoin supercycles are notoriously difficult to predict, given the high market volatility.
Market sentiment is a crucial indicator to monitor, and data from Santiment shows a 43% increase in memecoin discussions on social media in Q3 2024 compared to Q2, indicating early market interest.
New memecoin launches are on the rise, with over 2.3 million new memecoins created since January 2024. This is a significant increase, especially in Q1 2024, which saw a 300% increase in launches compared to Q4 2023.
Binance and Coinbase have also seen a 50% increase in memecoin listings in 2024 compared to the previous year. This is accompanied by a substantial increase in trading volume, up 200% after new listings.
It's essential to remain cautious, as many players in this industry aim to make quick profits.
The Supercycle Is Unsustainable
The memecoin supercycle is unlikely to last, according to Jameson Lopp, co-founder of crypto custodian Casa. He believes the memecoin frenzy is misguided and will eventually come to an end.
The success of memecoins is largely driven by hype, with pseudonymous crypto market analyst and trader Crypto Rand explaining that the memecoin economy thrives on impulsive traders chasing a quick buck.
97% of memecoins have died since 2024, highlighting the unsustainable nature of the memecoin market. This statistic is a stark reminder of the risks involved in investing in these assets.
Angel Versetti, founder and owner of the Dogecoin Foundation, has criticized the supercycle theory, calling it "a greater level of delusion" among market participants. He believes that a market model based on collective mental and hormonal shifts is not sustainable.
Memecoins do not intend to create any utility, and their growth is purely driven by the growing delusion of investors. This lack of substance is a major concern for Versetti and other experts in the field.
In the long run, the market will sort out this type of delusional investing, and projects that are building castles in the clouds will revert to their true value of zero. This is a stark warning for investors who are chasing quick profits in the memecoin market.
Mahmudov Gains from Hype

Mahmudov has a lot to gain from the memecoin hype, as he stands to profit personally from the proliferation of his memecoin narrative. He allegedly holds $24 million in memecoins, which suggests he's putting his money where his mouth is.
Some analysts, like Jameson Lopp, question whether Mahmudov's interests align with the long-term viability of meme coins. He believes that Mahmudov's success with memecoins reflects the nature of permissionless systems, where people will inevitably do foolish or even scammy things.
Lopp points out that Mahmudov made $23.6 million in just four months thanks to the surge of memecoin SPX6900 (SPX). This highlights the potential for individuals to profit from the hype surrounding memecoins.
Here are some key points to consider when evaluating Mahmudov's involvement in the memecoin supercycle:
- Mahmudov allegedly holds $24 million in memecoins.
- He made $23.6 million in just four months thanks to the surge of memecoin SPX6900 (SPX).
Second to First
Solana's memecoin ecosystem boomed around 6-7 years after Ethereum's.
Solana's TVL grew 13% in October 2024 thanks to memecoin trading.
The Solana blockchain and its memetic ecosystem have grown hand-in-hand, driven by co-dependence and mutual prosperity.
Both big-brain factions and degen communities have embraced Solana's meme culture.
Solana's innovation-engagement balance is exemplary, making it a technically robust yet fun space to be in.
Solana is a league ahead of other chains in embracing the power of memecoins.
Project lead Brainchild excels at balancing big-picture thinking with intricate details, ensuring innovative solutions are successfully brought to market.
Solana's diverse skill set ensures user-focused solutions in the dynamic meme coin space.
Navigating a Supercycle
Having a strategy is essential to capture the potential gains of a memecoin supercycle.
For those interested in navigating a supercycle, having a clear understanding of market trends is crucial. Having a strategy is essential to capture the potential gains of a memecoin supercycle.
Some key approaches to consider include being prepared for market volatility and staying informed about market trends.
Strategies for Navigating a Supercycle
Having a strategy is essential to capturing the potential gains of a memecoin supercycle.
Diversification is a key approach to consider, as it can help spread risk and increase potential returns.
Investing in a mix of established and emerging memecoins can be a good way to diversify your portfolio.
For those interested in capturing the potential gains of a memecoin supercycle, having a strategy is essential.
Market trends and sentiment can shift quickly, so it's essential to stay informed and adapt your strategy accordingly.
Keeping up with the latest news and developments in the memecoin space can help you make informed investment decisions.
Use Sentiment Analysis for Swing Trades
Navigating a supercycle can be unpredictable, but using sentiment analysis tools can help you stay ahead of the game. Meme coins are often driven by social media hype.
Social sentiment can be a powerful indicator of market trends. LunarCrush is a tool that tracks social media mentions and trends, which can help you identify tokens that may be about to surge.
Swing trading meme coins based on social sentiment can maximize short-term gains during volatile periods in a supercycle. With the right tools and strategy, you can ride the wave of market fluctuations and come out on top.
Participate in Airdrops
Participating in airdrops can be an effective way to gain exposure to new meme coins without directly investing capital.
Many new meme coin projects use airdrops to distribute tokens to early supporters, offering instant profit or a foundation for holding as the supercycle progresses.
Airdrops can be a great way to get in on the ground floor of a new project, potentially leading to significant returns on investment.
These free tokens can offer instant profit or a foundation for holding as the supercycle progresses, making them an attractive option for those looking to participate in meme coin projects.
Get In Early with Presales
Buying meme tokens early through presales can be a smart strategy during a meme coin season.
Presales allow investors to purchase meme tokens at discounted prices before they launch publicly.
Researching the project thoroughly is crucial, as not all presales result in successful launches.
Investors who get in early through presales can benefit from potential price appreciation once trading begins.
Former Bitcoin Maximalist
Murad Mahmudov, a former Bitcoin maximalist, has made a significant shift in his views on the crypto market. He now advocates for the "memecoin supercycle", which has gained attention from crypto enthusiasts.
Murad's memecoin philosophy is centered around the idea that these tokens are not just speculative assets, but cultural phenomena with significant growth potential. He argues that memecoins are driven by similar forces of disillusionment with traditional finance as bitcoin itself.
Memecoins require emotional resonance to be successful, according to Murad. This means the meme has to make you feel something. Cultural significance is also crucial, as memecoins fill a void in modern society, potentially replacing traditional sources of meaning.
A strong community is essential for successful memecoins, with the most active members shaping the project's culture. Murad believes that memecoins will absorb most of the speculative trading from the altcoin market, making them an attractive option for investors.
Memecoins with Potential
Some memecoins have a loyal community that will help them gain huge profits during the supercycle. This is particularly true for Dogecoin (DOGE), which remains popular thanks to the support of its community and occasional support from well-known figures like Elon Musk.
Dogecoin's success is not the only one, as Shiba Inu (SHIB) has developed a layer-2 solution, Shibarium, which strengthens its position to expand in the supercycle. This is a key factor in its potential for growth.
Other notable memecoins include Baby (BABY), which gained popularity thanks to the widely recognized Pepe the Frog meme, and Dogwifhat (WIF), which recorded significant growth in early 2024 and became the third largest memecoin with a market capitalization of $4.3 billion.
Memecoins with Star Potential
Dogecoin (DOGE) remains popular thanks to the support of its community and occasional support from well-known figures such as Elon Musk.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) has developed a layer-2 solution, Shibarium, which strengthens its position to expand in the supercycle.
PEPE gained popularity in 2023 thanks to the widely recognized Pepe the Frog meme, with explosive growth in early 2024.
Dogwifhat (WIF) recorded significant growth in early 2024, becoming the third largest memecoin with a market capitalization of $4.3 billion.
Bonk (BONK) gained attention in 2024 thanks to its lively community and unique approach, making it one of the interesting memecoins to watch.
Here are some memecoins with star potential:
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
- PEPE
- Dogwifhat (WIF)
- Bonk (BONK)
Top Trading Memes by Cap
Dogecoin is the undisputed number one trading meme by market cap, with a whopping $18.5 billion valuation.
Its success paved the way for other memecoins, including Bonk, which was created on Solana in 2022 with a Shiba Inu dog as its mascot.
Bonk's community-driven project involved airdropping 50% of its total supply to the Solana community at launch.
The token has since developed utility, being used as a tipping currency or vision application in games.
Based Brett, also known as BRETT, is another notable trading meme, launched in February 2024 on the Base Chain as the mascot of the Base Chain.
It's often referred to as "Pepe's best friend on the Base Chain".
The Runes protocol brought memes to the bitcoin blockchain, allowing for the trading of memes on the first cryptocurrency.
The Rune "DOG" has a market cap of close to $550 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which meme coin can reach $1?
Aureal One is mentioned as a potential meme coin that could reach $1, based on its metaverse-based blockchain integrations and analysis-driven presentation.
What is the most promising meme coin?
While opinions on meme coins vary, Dogecoin (DOGE) has maintained a strong community and market presence, making it a notable contender among meme coins. Its long-standing popularity and adaptability have contributed to its enduring relevance in the cryptocurrency space.
Which meme coin will explode in 2025?
According to recent trends, DexBoss (DEBO) is expected to be a top performer in 2025 due to its innovative entertainment-to-functionality hybrid model. This unique approach sets it apart from other meme coins and makes it a coin to watch in the coming year.
Sources
- https://cointelegraph.com/news/memecoin-supercycle-crypto-markets
- https://crypto.news/only-solana-could-handle-a-memecoin-supercycle-opinion/
- https://cryptovalleyjournal.com/background/memecoin-supercycle-why-worthless-projects-are-outperforming/
- https://www.bitrue.com/blog/memecoin-supercycle-big-gains
- https://www.bittime.com/en/blog/apa-itu-memecoin-supercycle
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