In the ever-evolving world of online culture, viral and humorous content has become the cornerstone of our daily lives. It comes as no surprise, then, that meme coins have gained substantial popularity. These digital assets, inspired by beloved memes, have created unique ecosystems that contribute to the decentralized future and have captivated the imagination of many crypto enthusiasts.
However, before diving headfirst into investing in meme coins, it is essential to carefully evaluate the risks and potential concerns associated with these volatile assets…
Table of Contents,
Top Popular Meme Coins
The most popular meme coins are Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, Pepe coins, and FLOKI. These cryptocurrencies have garnered significant attention and boast strong communities and celebrity support. Some projects have great innovations and technologies that have enhanced the DeFi plane significantly.
DOGE
Dogecoin, which originated as a lighthearted joke (and an attempt to show that cryptocurrencies were a meaningless laughing stock, yes), has also gained widespread recognition and support, partly due to endorsements from influential figures such as Elon Musk.
- Originated as a lighthearted and fun cryptocurrency based on the “Doge” meme.
- BTC fork (BTC → LTC → Luckycoin → Dogecoin).
- Gained significant attention and support from influential figures, including Elon Musk.
- Utilizes the Scrypt algorithm and operates on a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism.
- Known for its low transaction fees and fast block times.
- Currently has no maximum supply limit, resulting in an inflationary nature.
- Often used for tipping and charitable donations due to its community-driven and generous nature.
- Despite its meme origins, Dogecoin has gained widespread acceptance as a means of payment for various goods and services.
Shiba In
The rise of Shiba Inu, often called the “Dogecoin killer,” has seen a surge in popularity due to its adorable Shiba Inu dog mascot.
- I was inspired by the popular “Doge” meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog.
- Often referred to as the “Dogecoin killer.”
- Boasts a strong and enthusiastic community of supporters.
- Built on the Ethereum blockchain.
- Utilizes a deflationary tokenomics model, with a total supply of 1 quadrillion tokens.
- Implements decentralized exchange (DEX) functionality called ShibaSwap.
- Aims to create its ecosystem, including developing decentralized applications (DApps) and a Shiba Inu-themed merchandise store.
PEPE
Inspired by the widely recognized Pepe the Frog meme, Pepe coins have created their unique niche within the meme coin market.
- Inspired by the Pepe the Frog meme, created by artist Matt Furie.
- Represents an attempt to integrate the meme into the crypto world.
- Pepe coins have created their unique niche within the meme coin market.
- Different projects have utilized the Pepe meme, each with its token and ecosystem.
- Pepe AI.
- Blockchain education.
Floki Inu
FLOKI, named after Elon Musk’s pet dog, is another meme coin that has attracted considerable interest from investors.
- Named after Elon Musk’s pet dog.
- A meme coin that aims to capture the enthusiasm and support generated by Elon Musk’s tweets.
- Primarily operates on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC).
- Implements a deflationary tokenomics model with a maximum supply of 100 quadrillion tokens.
- FLOKI’s ecosystem includes a decentralized exchange (DEX) and plans for additional features and applications.
- Receives attention and speculation due to its association with Elon Musk, who has publicly shown interest in cryptocurrencies.
Some Concerns We Have Ignored
While meme coins may seem like a lighthearted and fun way to engage with the crypto world, their monetization raises many concerns.
First and foremost, memes, by nature, exist for free usage and enjoyment. They exist for hahaha /DMs their friend a cursed picture/ purposes, and must remain free. So, those images’ main purpose is letting EVERYONE recontextualize an event and funnily express their subjective vision. Claiming the rights for a meme is understandable, yet, claiming the rights for its core concept means that others cannot use it now.
Moreover, remember that memes have authors too. When transformed into a cryptocurrency, issues such as copyright infringement and the fair distribution of shares become prominent.
As an example, let’s consider the PEPE coin project. The creator of the original Pepe meme, Matt Furie, has not received any compensation or acknowledgment from the PEPE coin project, which claims to have no connection to him. Matt Furie might not even know that his comic character now creates revenue for some people and serves as a symbol of an innovative project. Such instances raise ethical questions regarding exploiting meme culture without proper attribution or compensation.
Meme NFTs Are Also In That Category…
Meme NFTs, like meme coins, have gained significant attention in digital assets. These non-fungible tokens represent unique pieces of digital content, such as images, videos, or artwork, typically associated with viral memes. However, just like meme coins, there are potential risks and concerns associated with investing in meme NFTs…
Meme NFTs often utilize popular internet memes as the basis for their design and concept. While this can appeal to collectors and investors, it raises questions about the fair usage and attribution of the original content. Many memes are created and shared freely within online communities for entertainment and humor. However, when transformed into NFTs, monetizing these memes can lead to unfair art “borrowing” and potential infringement of intellectual property rights.
An example that illustrates the potential risks associated with meme (aka stolen art in this case) non-fungible tokens is the Jean-Michel Basquiat’s NFT incident. To be more precise, we are talking about his artwork titled “Free Comb with Pagoda” (sure, this was not a meme NFT case, but let me explain). Long story short, this art object was once placed on an NFT auction by a company that did not have the rights to do so. Of course, the Basquiat estate interfered, and the art was withdrawn from that auction. This scandal highlights the importance of verifying the legitimacy and ownership of the artwork offered as an NFT before making any investments. A-a-and it is merely unfair to take someone’s artwork and tokenize it without making a deal with the original author or their estate.
Some Investments Are At Risk!
Investing in meme coins comes with its fair share of risks. The most significant concern revolves around potential legal challenges and litigation over copyright infringement.
If a meme coin is found to violate copyright laws or faces a lawsuit from the original creator, the consequences can be severe. In such cases, the coin might get canceled, rendering all investments in that meme coin worthless. This risk cannot be overlooked, as legal battles over intellectual property will eventually become even more restrictive and challenging since humanity faces many issues with decentralization and anonymity.
Conclusion
Meme coins have undeniably captured the attention and imagination of crypto enthusiasts worldwide. Their integration of beloved memes into digital assets has brought unique ecosystems and communities.
However, it is crucial to approach investing in meme coins with caution and an understanding of the potential risks involved. The monetization of memes raises concerns regarding copyright infringement and fair compensation for the original creators. The legal challenges and litigation surrounding intellectual property rights also present a significant risk to investments in meme coins.
As with any investment, thorough research and careful consideration of the associated risks are essential to make informed decisions in the volatile world of meme crypto coins.
