Meme Coin Surge: Are “Pump and Dump” Trends Making a Comeback in 2025?

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The broader crypto market remains in a state of anticipation. While Bitcoin continues its seemingly independent price trajectory and traditional markets flirt with blockchain-related concepts, the long-awaited "alt season" has yet to fully ignite. However, beneath the surface, a familiar force is stirring—Meme coins are once again leading the charge.

After a period of relative dormancy, sentiment around Meme tokens is heating up. With $USELESS surging on Bonk.fun and veteran ETH-based Memes like $MOG and $SPX showing strong momentum, signs point to a potential revival of speculative energy in the space. Could this be the return of the so-called “dog coin” frenzy? Let’s break down the latest movers and explore what’s driving the renewed interest.


🌱 Old Favorites Reawaken: The Resurgence of Legacy Meme Coins

While new launches grab headlines, established Meme projects are proving they still have legs. Many of these tokens, born during previous hype cycles, are seeing renewed trading volume and community engagement—especially those tied to strong subcultures or nostalgic narratives.

$Fartcoin (FART) – Solana

Once dismissed as a joke, $Fartcoin has re-emerged as a top performer with a current market cap of **$112 million. Its 24-hour trading volume sits at $33 million**, signaling sustained interest despite a peak valuation of $270 million in earlier cycles.

👉 Discover how early-mover Memes are shaping today’s speculative trends.

This coin thrives purely on irony and community-driven hype—an archetype for what defines a successful Meme token in 2025.


$Launchcoin (LAUNCH) – Solana

As the native token of the Believe platform, $Launchcoin benefits from ecosystem integration. With a current market cap of **$130 million and 24-hour volume near $31.4 million**, it's outpacing many newer entrants.

Its rise may reflect growing confidence in launchpad platforms as gateways for discovery—a trend increasingly relevant in decentralized finance.


$PENGU (Pudgy Penguins) – Solana

NFT crossover appeal is fueling $PENGU’s resurgence. After VanEck featured Pudgy Penguins at its Nasdaq bell-ringing event, speculation grew around a potential **$PENGU ETF filing—a narrative that pushed its market cap to $102 million**.

With peak value reaching $330 million, this asset bridges digital collectibles and tokenized speculation, embodying the convergence of NFTs and Meme culture.


$MOG (Mog Coin) – Ethereum

Launched in 2023, $MOG remains one of the most resilient ETH-based Meme coins. Boasting a current market cap of **$390 million**, it maintains strong support from niche online communities, particularly those overlapping with the Milady ecosystem.

Its staying power highlights an important truth: community depth matters more than viral virality over time.


$SPX (SPX6900) – Ethereum

Another standout from the Murad-led “MEME CULT” wave, $SPX continues to show strength with a market cap near **$128 million**—approaching its all-time high of $176 million.

Its consistent performance suggests that some Meme assets are evolving beyond pure jokes into semi-established speculative instruments.


$BOOE (Book of Ethereum) & $APU (Apu Apustaja) – Ethereum

Smaller but notable, both tokens have seen recent spikes:

These examples underscore how narrative power—even when baseless—can drive short-term price action in low-cap Meme ecosystems.


🔥 New Platforms, New Hype: The Rise of Bonk.fun and Moonshot Create

Interestingly, the latest wave isn’t being led by Pump.fun—the once-dominant Meme factory—but by two emerging platforms: Bonk.fun and Moonshot Create. These launchpads are redefining how Memes gain traction through curated releases and built-in community incentives.

$USELESS (USELESS COIN) – Bonk.fun

Launched in May 2025, $USELESS embodies the self-aware absurdity that defines modern Memes. Market cap: **$191 million; 24h volume: $18.6 million**.

Its success has revitalized attention on Bonk.fun, proving that even “worthless” tokens can generate real value when backed by coordinated social energy.


$USDUC (Unstable Coin) – Bonk.fun

In a world obsessed with stablecoins, $USDUC flips the script with a satirical take on volatility. Though still small at **$28 million market cap**, its concept resonates with traders weary of over-engineered DeFi protocols.

It’s not just a joke—it’s commentary.


$IKUN – Bonk.fun

Inspired by Chinese pop star Cai Xukun, $IKUN went viral as a cultural meme before becoming a trading symbol. Now back in the spotlight with an **$8.2 million market cap**, it shows how cross-border internet culture fuels crypto trends.


🚀 Competing for Crown: Moonshot Create’s Battle for Dominance

Moonshot Create is heating up with multiple contenders vying for top spot:

These tokens thrive on simplicity, humor, and FOMO—classic ingredients for viral Meme adoption.

👉 See how new Meme platforms are rewriting the rules of token launches.


🧠 Why Now? Understanding the Psychology Behind the Meme Revival

Three key factors explain this resurgence:

  1. Low Market Volatility: With BTC range-bound, traders seek higher-risk, higher-reward opportunities.
  2. Cultural Fatigue with Utility Tokens: After years of complex narratives around RWA, AI tokens, and Layer 2 solutions, investors crave fun.
  3. Platform Innovation: Tools like Bonk.fun lower entry barriers, enabling rapid creation and distribution of new Memes.

Memes aren’t just jokes—they’re social signals. When they rise, it often indicates shifting sentiment toward risk-taking.


❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Meme coins a good investment in 2025?
A: They’re highly speculative and should be treated as entertainment or short-term plays—not long-term holdings. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Q: What makes a Meme coin go viral?
A: Virality typically comes from three elements: relatable humor, strong community coordination (often via Twitter/X or Telegram), and early exchange listings or liquidity boosts.

Q: Is there any fundamental value in Meme coins?
A: Generally no. Most derive value solely from perception, scarcity mechanics, or celebrity/social media endorsements—not underlying technology or cash flows.

Q: How do launchpads like Bonk.fun differ from Pump.fun?
A: Bonk.fun emphasizes branding and ecosystem alignment with the Bonk brand, while Pump.fun focuses on permissionless deployment. This curation gives Bonk.fun projects potentially stronger initial support.

Q: Can Meme coins trigger an altcoin season?
A: Historically, yes. Strong Meme activity often precedes broader altcoin rallies by signaling increased risk appetite among retail investors.

Q: Should I trust rumors about ETFs for NFT-linked tokens like $PENGU?
A: Treat such rumors skeptically until confirmed by official sources. They often serve as pump mechanisms rather than legitimate developments.


🔍 Final Thoughts: A Signal or a Mirage?

The recent surge in Meme coin activity—from Solana giants to Ethereum cult classics—suggests growing retail enthusiasm. While these tokens lack intrinsic value, their movement reflects real shifts in market psychology.

Whether this momentum spills into broader altcoins or collapses under its own weight depends on macro conditions and sustained engagement. For now, one thing is clear: the Meme economy is alive, absurd, and impossible to ignore.

👉 Stay ahead of the next big Meme wave with real-time data and insights.

Keep an eye on emerging platforms like Bonk.fun and Moonshot Create—they might just be the breeding grounds for the next viral sensation.