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Memecoin

A cryptocurrency born from an internet joke or meme, usually with little or no practical use, whose price rests almost entirely on hype.

A memecoin is a CryptocurrencyCryptocurrencyA digital currency secured by cryptography and recorded on a shared ledger, with no bank or government issuing or controlling it. inspired by an internet joke, a meme, a famous animal or a social media trend. These coins usually have no particular purpose. Their price depends almost entirely on how many people are talking about them and want to buy.

Examples

The first well-known example is DogecoinDogecoin (DOGE)A cryptocurrency created as a joke in 2013, with a Shiba Inu dog from a meme as its logo, and with no maximum supply., which appeared in December 2013. Its creators meant it as a joke and used a picture of a Shiba Inu dog from a popular meme. Even so, Dogecoin grew into one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the world. Thousands of imitators have followed, such as Shiba Inu (SHIB)Shiba Inu (SHIB)A memecoin token on the Ethereum network from 2020, named after the same dog breed that features in Dogecoin's logo., a TokenTokenA digital asset created with a smart contract on another cryptocurrency's blockchain, rather than on a blockchain of its own. on the Ethereum network.

What are the risks?

  • Extreme VolatilityVolatilityHow much and how quickly the price of an asset moves up and down.. The price can multiply within days and fall just as fast. A single social media post can move it.
  • Little to support the price. Most memecoins have no income and little practical use, so the price can fall a long way once interest fades.
  • Scams. Anyone can create a new coin in minutes. Creators have been known to sell everything as soon as the price rises, known as a rug pullRug pullA scam where the people behind a new token or crypto project collect money from buyers and then vanish with it, leaving the token worthless., and groups sometimes push the price up and then sell, a pump and dumpPump and dumpA scam in which the price of a small coin is hyped up so the organisers can sell high and leave others with the losses..
  • FOMO (fear of missing out). Stories of people who made a fortune lead many to buy at the worst possible time.

What to keep in mind

Memecoins are among the riskiest cryptocurrencies. If you buy any, only use money you can afford to lose entirely.

Everything in Myntkaup Learn is written and regularly reviewed by the Myntkaup editorial team. It is for education and is not investment advice. Editorial policy. Updated 18 October 2026.