VanEck exec urges crypto projects to ‘mimic’ memecoins – Here’s why

  • Memecoins captured a 14.3% market share in Q2, 2024, highlighting significant investor interest.
  • Simplified token designs and reduced locked allocations of memecoins promote healthier, sustainable market conditions.

As a seasoned crypto investor with a decade of experience under my belt, I must admit that the memecoin trend has caught my attention like never before. In 2017, when Bitcoin was all the rage, I missed out on the Dogecoin craze, and it still haunts me to this day. The rise of memecoins in 2024 has given me another chance to dive into this intriguing world.


2024 saw a significant increase in market attention towards memecoins, which rapidly emerged as one of the key trends within the cryptocurrency industry.

According to a recent report from CoinGecko, it was found that memecoins dominated the market conversations during the second quarter, accounting for approximately 14.3% of the total market share. This trend has been consistent since the start of the year.

VanEck exec urges crypto projects to ‘mimic’ memecoins – Here’s why

VanEck exec urges crypto projects to…

In reference to this topic, VanEck’s portfolio manager, Pranav Kanade, highlighted four essential aspects that memecoins incorporate, which other cryptocurrency projects might find beneficial to adopt.

According to Kanade, a significant aspect is the simple attractiveness of memecoins, which quickly match them with the market demands that greatly appeal to individual investors.

He argued that for projects to stand out, they must streamline their approach by simplifying token design, articulating a clear product vision, and demonstrating how their execution can deliver value to token holders. 

He added, 

VanEck exec urges crypto projects to ‘mimic’ memecoins – Here’s why

Kanade’s insights emerged during discussions at the Token2049 panel, where Murad Mahmudov introduced the idea of a “memecoin supercycle” after transitioning from a Bitcoin-centric view.

He emphasized the importance of minimizing the percentage of “locked” tokens assigned to early investors, as large allocations can lead to market dumps upon unlocking. This undermines long-term stability and trader confidence.

By restricting the number of tokens that are locked and non-transferable, projects can create a more open and durable token economy structure. This reduces worries about rapid liquidations and fosters a more stable investment landscape suitable for long-term stakeholders.

The rising memecoin trend

It’s worth noting that the popularity of meme coin communities has skyrocketed due to their humorous nature, influential figures promoting them, and a fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) effect.

As a researcher exploring digital currencies, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend among tokens such as Dogecoin [DOGE], Shiba Inu [SHIB], and Pepe [PEPE]. Their popularity seems to surge significantly following high-profile endorsements, which not only lends them credibility but also creates a buzz around these coins.

For instance, Elon Musk’s endorsement of DOGE led to substantial increases in its price, whereas fresh cryptocurrencies endorsed by celebrities like Iggy Azalea’s [MOTHER] and HULKAMANIA [HULK] have drawn a lot of investor attention.

Yet, this surge in popularity has not been without its downsides, as it has given rise to a higher incidence of scams. For example, when the excitement surrounding Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity was at its peak, tokens such as Len Sassaman [LEN] plummeted by 85% and Sasha Cat [SASHA] dipped by an even more dramatic 89%, as reported by CoinMarketCap.

In contrast, a meme coin linked to Peter Todd [PeterTodd] soared by 1,591%.

Despite being primarily focused on financial gains, these communities remarkably cultivate strong loyalty and active participation that transcends profits. This is evident in initiatives such as Sundog [SUNDOG], a project that has garnered substantial backing on social media platforms and earned top marks on DEXTools.

During these discussions, the market value of meme coins has soared to a staggering $54 billion, representing a modest 2% rise in the last day, as reported by CoinGecko.

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2024-10-10 08:08