Meme coins are a form of cryptocurrency that first began as a joke on the internet, but exploded in popularity. Americans may remember the explosion of Beanie Babies in the late 80s and early 90s. Meme coins have a similar following.
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People purchase these coins less for their value than they do as a novelty that’s following a popular trend, according to Schwab. Such trends may follow a particular celebrity or viral moment (or even the President of the United States).
Coins are usually associated with an already existing blockchain. In addition, they are typically incredibly volatile in nature, according to Coinbase.
While usually meant as a joke, some meme coins do hold value if there’s enough demand for them. Value can drastically increase, but plunging values are also possible. Here’s how much you’d have if you made a $1 investment in five popular meme coins at launch, based on information from CoinMarketCap.
Dogecoin is one of the most memorable meme coins in the space. The coin launched in December 2013, and gained notoriety thanks to its loose ties with Elon Musk. Dogecoin is the leader in the market, but it can still fluctuate wildly in value.
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Shiba Inu launched in November 2020 and is based on the ethereum blockchain. The coin grew in popularity thanks to it becoming known as the dogecoin killer. Although it never reached that status, it remains a popular meme coin among enthusiasts.
The Pepe Coin launched in April 2023, and is loosely based on the ethereum blockchain and inspired by the Pepe the Frog meme. While a popular coin, it’s driven by the same factors that impact any other meme coin, and can fluctuate wildly.
Pudgy Penguins is a recent entrant to the meme coin space, launching in late 2024, according to StealthEX. The coin is a bit unique in that it’s not based just on images. It claims to tie to digital collectibles, toys, and more. According to StealthEX, that makes the meme coin stand out.
Bonk is a solana-based coin that launched on December 25, 2022, according to Flitpay. Dubbing itself the “dog coin of the people,” Bonk has experienced sharp swings that many would expect to see in the meme coin world.
Although some investors have enjoyed success with meme coins, much of it comes down to luck. Certainly not everyone will be able to realize a gain of $246,910. Wild swings are not uncommon, and should be viewed similar to gambling rather than investing (as evidenced by one coin contributing the overwhelming majority of the gain). However, those with spare investment funds to spend might enjoy the ride.
Disclaimer: Article was last updated on August 14, 2025, so prices reflect that date.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Invested $1 in These 5 Meme Coins at Launch? You’d Have Nearly $247K Today
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