Meme Coins Like PEPE, WIF, and BONK Outshine Tech Tokens in 2025

• Meme coins surged from $20B to $120B in 2024, led by coins like PEPE, BONK, and WIF.
• Analysts link meme coin momentum to Bitcoin’s April 2024 halving and post-halving altcoin flows.
• Insider trading cases, like with $MELANIA, expose the high-risk, high-reward nature of meme-driven markets.

Meme coins, once dismissed as fleeting internet jokes, are now outperforming traditional tech-focused cryptocurrencies in 2025. According to crypto analyst Altcoin Sherpa, meme coins like Pepe, Bonk, Dogwifhat (WIF), Fartcoin, and Floki are demonstrating greater resilience and investor interest compared to many ‘tech’ altcoins. Sherpa suggests that the enduring appeal of these culturally resonant tokens may give them a longevity that tech-centric coins lack. He said:

“There are 10,000 coins and none of them can sustain attention forever. It’s actually why I suspect the bigger, Lindy memes will have better staying power than in the past. I’ve gone back and forth on this over the years, but I think they’ll continue to broadly outperform the ‘tech’ coins for the most part. Not necessarily saying they’re going to go higher in their alt/BTC pair, but coins like PEPE, BONK, WIF, Fartcoin, Floki — all of those should stick around for the most part.”

The broader cryptocurrency market reflects this trend. The meme coin sector’s value surged from $20 billion to over $120 billion in 2024, largely driven by retail investors and social media hype. 

Established coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have maintained significant market presence, while newer entrants like Pepe and Bonk have rapidly gained traction.

Bitcoin Halving Sparks Meme Coin Momentum Ahead of 2025 Altseason, Say Analysts

The rise of meme coins is closely tied to the current cryptocurrency cycle, particularly following Bitcoin’s halving event in April 2024. Historically, such halvings reduce the rate at which new bitcoins are created, often leading to increased demand and price surges. This pattern typically results in heightened investor interest in altcoins, including meme coins, as traders seek higher returns.

Analysts like Matthew Le Merle, CEO of Blockchain Coinvestors, observe that after Bitcoin’s price surges, capital often flows into altcoins. He notes that “once bitcoin has gone up three years in a row, a lot of bitcoiners have a lot of capital that they want to diversify, and they’re willing to move some of their capital into the altcoins” . This trend suggests that 2025 could be a significant year for altcoins, with meme coins potentially leading the charge due to their strong community engagement and viral appeal.

However, some experts caution that the current cycle may differ from previous ones. CK Zheng, founder of ZX Squared Capital, points out that Bitcoin’s dominance remains elevated post-halving, which could delay the anticipated altcoin season. He predicts that Bitcoin dominance will decline as the crypto ecosystem expands, allowing altcoins to outperform . Despite this, the unique appeal of meme coins continues to attract investors, suggesting they may still play a prominent role in the evolving crypto landscape.

$MELANIA Coin Sparks Insider Trading Fears as Meme Coins Ride Attention-Driven Wave

Still, this surge comes with growing scrutiny. A high-profile case involving Melania Trump’s $MELANIA coin raised concerns about insider trading in the meme coin space. On-chain data showed 24 wallets spent $2.6 million on the token just minutes before Trump’s public announcement. The coin’s price surged by over 5,000%, and many of these wallets exited within hours—cashing out nearly $100 million.

Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, meme coins often move on hype and social momentum rather than utility or infrastructure. This environment creates opportunities for early actors to exploit timing, leaving latecomers with losses. While such cases highlight the speculative risk tied to meme coins, they also underline the sheer power of attention as a driver in this asset class.

Despite these concerns, the popularity of meme coins shows no signs of waning. Their ability to capture public imagination and generate substantial returns continues to attract investors. As the crypto market evolves, meme coins may play an increasingly prominent role, challenging traditional notions of value and investment in the digital age.