The Evolution of Meme Coins: The Three-Stage Transformation from Internet Joke to Financial Asset

The Development History of Meme Coin: From Internet Joke to Financial Revolution

The development of meme coin can be divided into three key stages: Groundbreaking/Foundation (2013-2016), Dormancy/Explosion (2017-2021), and Sedimentation/Reconstruction (2022-2025). In this process, meme coin gradually evolved from an initial internet joke into a unique financial asset.

1. Breaking Ground/Foundation (2013-2016)

This period is the original innovation stage of meme coins, characterized by wild growth. Marked by the birth of DOGE, most projects are forks of Bitcoin or Litecoin code. The meme coins in this stage can be divided into two categories:

1.1 Ephemeral Type

Projects like Mooncoin, Fedoracoin ( TIPS ), and Nyancoin, while they may generate excitement in the short term, lack sustained cultural foundation and technological support, quickly disappearing into the annals of history.

1.2 Generalissimo Type

Represented by DOGE, it has achieved long-term survival thanks to its strong cultural symbols and community-driven force. DOGE has evolved from an internet joke into an important player in the cryptocurrency market, showcasing the remarkable vitality of meme coins.

2. Hibernation/Outburst (2017-2021)

This stage witnessed the transformation of meme coins from niche subcultures to mainstream financial assets. The maturity of smart contracts has restructured the issuance logic of meme coins, making them easier to create and trade. During this period, meme coins are mainly divided into three categories:

2.1 Meteor Shining Type

Like UET and HOGE, these projects rely on short-term speculative sentiment to rise quickly, but they also decline just as rapidly.

2.2 Stellar Bright Model

Represented by SHIB, these types of projects not only continue the cultural attributes of meme coins but also attempt to build more complex ecosystems, such as SHIB's ShibaSwap.

2.3 Transformation Breakthrough Type

Like FLOKI and SAMO, these projects attempt to break through the limitations of meme coins and explore broader application scenarios, but progress is relatively slow due to various constraints.

3. Precipitation/Reconstruction (2022-2025)

At this stage, the meme coin market is beginning to shift from frenzy to rationality, undergoing a deep adjustment. New narratives and technologies are constantly emerging, and project differentiation is becoming more pronounced. They can be mainly divided into four categories:

3.1 Short-term speculation type

Such as TRUMP, relying on political hotspots, is extremely risky.

3.2 Ecological-driven

Like WIF and BONK, relying on specific public chain ecosystems, to achieve short-term explosive growth.

3.3 Narrative Innovation Type

Like GOAT, it introduces AI concepts into meme coins, but also faces a trust crisis.

3.4 cultural symbol type

Such as MOODENG, leveraging influencer IP to achieve short-term popularity, but facing sustainability challenges.

Future Outlook

The meme coin market is experiencing a transition from barbaric growth to rational development. Technological innovations ( such as AI, DeFAI ), and community building will become key factors. Although the market is adjusting, as a typical product of the attention economy, meme coins will still maintain their unique position and influence in the cryptocurrency field.

In the future, projects that can find a balance between hype and substance may stand out and become the next generation of leading meme coins. At the same time, regulatory pressures and the maturation of the market will also prompt meme coin projects to place greater emphasis on compliance and long-term value creation.

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BearMarketBuyervip
· 09-03 19:32
Retail investors who copied doge made a lot of profits, but I didn't copy it correctly.
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NFTArchaeologisvip
· 09-02 11:30
I have to say that the birth of DOGE almost established the paradigm of early token culture.
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StrawberryIcevip
· 09-02 02:56
The bottom is all green and it really smells good.
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NonFungibleDegenvip
· 09-02 02:55
ser just remember i aped into doge at 0.00026 in 2014... look at us now ngmi fr fr
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ServantOfSatoshivip
· 09-02 02:52
Life and death are taken lightly, the meme relies entirely on luck.
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MEVSandwichMakervip
· 09-02 02:36
From meme to unicorn, who understands the story of DOGE back then?
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