How to find new memecoins before they go viral

Key takeaways

• Memecoins thrive on community and internet culture, with platforms like X and Reddit amplifying their reach and popularity.
• Launchpads like MemePad and Pump.fun provide early access to new memecoins, helping investors identify promising tokens before they go viral.
• Tools like MemeCoinTracker and BullX are crucial for tracking wallet movements, social engagement and pre-pump signals.
• Understanding the risks involved in a zero-sum game, such as memecoin trading, is crucial.

Memecoins are the fun and unpredictable side of the crypto world, born from internet jokes and cultural trends.

The first of its kind, Dogecoin, started as a parody in 2013, created to poke fun at Bitcoin’s rising popularity. At first, Dogecoin was a quirky token used for tipping content creators on platforms like Reddit and Twitter. It soon gained attention for funding unique causes, like sponsoring a NASCAR driver and helping the Jamaican bobsled team compete in the Winter Olympics.

What began as a joke quickly turned into a movement. Its passionate community — known as the “Doge Army” — propelled it into mainstream recognition, proving that memes combined with community support could drive serious market momentum. Following Dogecoin’s success, countless other memecoins like Shiba Inu and PepeCoin emerged, each tapping into the internet’s love for shareable, relatable humor.

Like viral memes, memecoins thrive on internet culture. Platforms like X and Reddit amplify their reach, turning niche jokes into global trends overnight. But here’s the catch: Memecoins reward those who catch the trend early. With their value directly tied to their popularity, being “in the know” can lead to big gains.

In this guide, you’ll explore how pro memecoin spotters identify these tokens before they go viral, helping you stay ahead of the curve and potentially snag some early-bird rewards.

Identifying emerging memecoins

Finding the next big memecoin before it goes viral requires a mix of community engagement, research and the right tools. Here are some tried-and-tested methods to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Leverage launchpads for early access

Launchpads provide a structured way to discover new projects, including memecoins before they hit the mainstream. Several memecoin-dedicated launchpads can help you identify opportunities tailored to this niche:

• MemePad: The first IDO launchpad exclusively for memecoins and micro-cap projects. It ensures secure, transparent launches.
• GraFun: Built on BNB Smart Chain, this launchpad specializes in memecoin launches, emphasizing fairness and advanced security to minimize risks like rug pulls.
• Pump.fun: Operating on the Solana blockchain, this platform allows users to create and distribute memecoins effortlessly. 
• SunPump: A fair launch platform for memecoins on the Tron blockchain, launched by the SunSwap team. 
• Seipex: Built on the Sei Network, Seipex offers a fair launch token platform with a social focus. Successful tokens seamlessly integrate into decentralized exchanges like DragonSwap.

Did you know? Pump.fun, a memecoin launchpad on the Solana blockchain, became the fastest-growing crypto application ever. It reached $100 million in revenue in just 217 days, surpassing previous records.

Use tools to track pre-pump activity

Leveraging the right tools is essential if you’re serious about identifying memecoins early. Platforms like BullX allow you to monitor wallet movements and see where “whales” — investors with significant capital — are placing their bets. These whale activities often signal where the market might head next, providing early insights into tokens with the potential for a significant pump.

Other tools like MemeCoinTracker track real-time metrics such as X activity, holder statistics and token burns, giving you a comprehensive overview of a memecoin’s community engagement and growth trajectory. Similarly, DexScan, developed by CoinMarketCap, compiles metrics from over 100 decentralized exchanges across more than 50 blockchain networks, offering granular insights into pool activity and health. This makes it easier to spot hidden memecoin gems before they gain mainstream attention.

Engage with crypto communities

The crypto space thrives on collaboration and shared knowledge. Platforms like Reddit, X, and TikTok are goldmines for discovering emerging memecoins. Subreddits like r/CryptoMoonShots or hashtags like #NewCrypto on X often feature discussions about promising projects. TikTok trends can also provide clues, as viral videos have been known to send memecoins soaring.

Joining forums, Discord servers, and Telegram groups is equally important. These spaces are often buzzing with early adopters discussing upcoming launches and rumors. 

Follow influencers and thought leaders

Crypto influencers can make or break a memecoin. Figures like Elon Musk and other prominent personalities have historically driven massive attention to tokens with a single tweet.

Still, proceed with caution, as influencer-driven hype isn’t always organic. Some have been involved in “pump and dump” schemes, promoting a coin, inflating its price, and selling off their holdings, leaving others with losses.

Did you know? The Save the Kids token was promoted in 2021 by members of the FaZe Clan and other social media personalities. Marketed as a charity-focused cryptocurrency, it quickly gained traction due to influencer endorsements. However, it was later exposed as a pump-and-dump scheme, where promoters sold off their holdings after artificially inflating the token’s value, leaving investors with substantial losses.

How to determine a new memecoin’s viral potential

Not every memecoin is destined to go viral, and identifying the ones with potential requires a closer look at several key factors. By evaluating these elements, you can gauge whether a new memecoin is poised for success or likely to fizzle out.

Community engagement and social media momentum

A memecoin’s lifeblood is its community. The size and activity level of the community are strong indicators of its potential. Active Telegram groups, buzzing Discord servers and consistent mentions on platforms like Reddit and X signal that people are invested in a coin’s growth. Pay attention to engagement metrics: How often are users interacting, sharing or creating content about the coin? A strong, passionate community can generate the momentum to drive a coin to viral status.

A coin’s viral potential often reveals itself through social media buzz. Tools like LunarCrush can track a coin’s social mentions, engagement and sentiment. Viral coins typically experience a surge in mentions and positive sentiment across multiple platforms before they peak. Follow hashtags, trending topics and influencers discussing the coin to assess its momentum.

Memetic potential

The core of any memecoin is its meme. The more relatable and shareable the meme, the greater its chances of going viral. A good memecoin taps into cultural trends or universal humor that resonates with people. Ask yourself: Is the meme fresh, funny or tied to a trending topic?

Timing is also a critical factor. A memecoin linked to a trending cultural event, meme or internet joke has a much higher chance of going viral. Monitoring current trends and seeing how a coin aligns with popular buzz can make all the difference. Coins that launch at the right moment are better positioned to ride a wave of interest than those lacking cultural relevance.

Development team credibility

While memecoins are often lighthearted, the seriousness of their development team matters. A transparent team with a track record in crypto projects inspires confidence in investors. Look into the team’s history: Are they public about their involvement? Have they delivered on past projects?

Anonymous teams can succeed, but they pose higher risks, as anonymity can be a red flag for rug pulls or scams. If the team is unknown, scrutinize their technical execution, tokenomics and community-building efforts to ensure credibility.

Tokenomics and supply

Tokenomics plays a crucial role in a coin’s long-term potential. A coin with an excessively high supply or poor distribution may struggle to maintain value. Coins with mechanisms like token burns, staking or deflationary models tend to attract more interest as they promise better scarcity and potential returns.

Additionally, having some utility or innovation can help sustain a token’s price over time. Does the coin have a unique use case, such as being part of a game, a voting system or an NFT project? Coins with added functionality appeal to meme enthusiasts and utility-seeking investors, increasing their chances of sustained popularity.

Viral memecoins and lessons learned

Investing in memecoins is widely criticized as no more than gambling. Even high-profile tokens such as Trump’s TRUMP are classified accordingly. But there are always two sides to the coin.

Steady memes

On the obverse side, there are plenty of memecoins that have ended up exhibiting price characteristics not too dissimilar from mainstream cryptocurrencies:  

• Dogecoin (DOGE): Launched in 2013 as a joke, Dogecoin (DOGE) has evolved into a widely recognized cryptocurrency. Its value remained relatively low for years but experienced a notable surge in 2021, reaching an all-time high of about $0.74 in May 2021. As of Jan. 21, Dogecoin is trading at around $0.34.
• Shiba Inu (SHIB): Introduced in August 2020, Shiba Inu (SHIB) was dubbed the “Dogecoin Killer.” It saw a significant rise in value in October 2021, reaching an all-time high of around $0.000088. As of Jan. 21, SHIB was trading at around $0.00002.
• Baby Doge Coin (BABYDOGE): Launched in June 2021, Baby Doge Coin (BABYDOGE) aimed to improve upon Dogecoin with faster transaction speeds and added deflationary mechanics. It reached an all-time high of $0.0000000063 in July 2021. As of January, Baby Doge Coin is trading at about $0.000000002.
• Floki Inu (FLOKI): Created in August 2021, Floki Inu (FLOKI) capitalized on the popularity of Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, branding itself as a movement rather than just a coin. It reached an all-time high of $0.00032 in June 2024. As of January, FLOKI is trading at about $0.000137.

These coins may not be currently trading near their all-time highs, but they all have high trading volumes and strong communities.

Boom and bust memes

On the reverse side of the coin lies the much larger category of “boom and bust” memecoins, a stark reminder of the dangers of fear and greed.

• SafeMoon (SAFEMOON): Launched in March 2021, SafeMoon quickly gained popularity, reaching an all-time high of $0.0000102 in May 2021. However, it faced significant volatility and declined sharply. As of Jan. 21, SafeMoon was trading at $0.00000000918.
• Hoge Finance (HOGE): Introduced in February 2021, Hoge Finance saw a rapid increase in value, reaching an all-time high of $0.0009438 in March 2021. However, it experienced significant volatility and declined over time. As of January, HOGE is trading at $0.00001507.
• Trump Memecoin (TRUMP): Launched on Jan. 21, the TRUMP memecoin saw its market capitalization soar from $600 million to over $7 billion within days. However, this rapid ascent was followed by significant volatility, leading to substantial losses for late investors.
• Melania Trump’s memecoin (MELANIA): Following the launch of TRUMP, Melania Trump introduced her own memecoin, MELANIA. It experienced a swift rise in value, reaching a market cap of $5 billion, but subsequently faced sharp declines, mirroring the volatility seen with TRUMP.

Did you know? One of the earliest known memes dates back to 1921. A two-panel cartoon published in the satirical magazine The Judge humorously contrasted “How you think you look when a flashlight is taken” with “How you really look,” mirroring today’s “Expectation vs. Reality” memes. 

The future of viral memecoins

With a section on TRUMP appearing on the third page of the Financial Times, the crypto world is witnessing the mainstream adoption of memecoins unfold in real-time.

However, many remain unaware that engaging in memecoin speculation is inherently a zero-sum game, where the financial gains of some investors are directly offset by the losses of others.

Moreover, the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework — not just for memecoins but for the cryptocurrency industry as a whole — creates a high-risk, unforgiving trading environment.

One likely trend, therefore, is the introduction of greater regulation. Concerns about market manipulation, fraud and investor protection have sparked discussions around implementing stricter guidelines to safeguard investors and ensure market integrity.

As these regulatory frameworks evolve, the memecoin landscape may change significantly, potentially reshaping how these tokens are issued, traded and perceived.

In addition, as more people recognize the parallels between memecoin trading and gambling, future projects may strive to establish a sustainability focus. By incorporating real-world utility or leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, these projects might aim to provide longer-term value.

To conclude, one thing remains clear: Memes are as timeless as crypto users’ need for community, relatability and humor. While the mediums through which memes are expressed may evolve — from ancient wall inscriptions to cryptocurrencies and beyond — the essence of the meme will persist, forever resonating with humanity’s shared culture.