Over the past 12 months, the meme coin PEPE has been racing for dominance on Ethereum, while BONK has been making strides on Solana. However, there are emerging projects that could potentially challenge their dominance and even knock them off the top spot. Let's see which meme tokens could be the ones to watch in 2024.
Dogecoin famously led the way as the inaugural meme coin, celebrating its decade-long journey on December 6. Elon Musk's endorsement transformed it from a comical concept into a sought-after investment. This success inspired a wave of entrepreneurs eager to replicate Dogecoin's achievements and tap into the digital meme craze.
The market has since welcomed a host of new tokens like Shiba Inu, SafeMoon, Baby Doge Coin, and ElonGate. Amidst these, some were fleeting, while others provided substantial gains for early investors. PEPE stood out, rapidly achieving a billion-dollar capitalization.
But in the ever-shifting world of cryptocurrency, stability is rare, and authority is often challenged. The race for the meme token leadership is wide open, with numerous contenders vying for the spot.
Meme tokens that could rival Pepe and BONK
Coq Inu. COQ is emerging as the most promising meme token within the Avalanche network. It's positioned as a token with “no intrinsic value or expectation of financial return.” This project operates without an official team or a defined roadmap and is purely for entertainment. Remarkably, in December 2023, COQ's price soared by over 478% within a week, pushing its market cap beyond $189 million.
COQ demonstrates steady growth. Source: coingecko
The daily trade volume for Coq Inu is also on a steady rise, reaching $39.3 million as of press time, reflecting consistent interest from investors.
An appealing feature of Coq Inu is that all of its tokens are already in circulation, ensuring that no future token releases will impact its price. The Coq Inu website and social media platforms are brimming with humor, positioning the token as pioneering a new, stress-free lifestyle for crypto enthusiasts.
While it's difficult to predict the longevity of this project, those who jump on board early might just ride it to substantial gains. It's important to note, however, that this shouldn't be taken as financial advice.
Sponge V2, another notable meme token, made its debut in the market in May 2023, initially under the name SPONGE V1. This token pays tribute to SpongeBob SquarePants, the beloved character from the famous American cartoon series that aired two decades ago.
At its height, SPONGE reached a market capitalization of $100 million and was listed on 10 major exchanges. The team reported that their social media channels amassed 30,000 active subscribers in just a few days.
Sponge V2. Source: sponge.vip
After a brief hibernation period, the token was reborn and rebranded. The new incarnation, SPONGE V2, brought with it enhanced features: it could be used for payments in blockchain games and included a locking mechanism. The creators also revealed plans to introduce their own play-to-earn game, offering the potential for cryptocurrency earnings. Given the rising demand for P2E games, this could significantly elevate interest in SPONGE V2.
For holders of the original Sponge V1, there's an opportunity to lock these tokens into contracts for V2, receiving an equivalent amount of SPONGE V2 in return.
Despite its recent introduction, Sponge V2 has already caught the attention of several investors, indicating it could emerge as a new, albeit potentially short-lived, star of the crypto market. The project's official website boldly states that its marketing budget is unlimited.
Snek, a meme coin based on the Cardano blockchain, sets itself apart. Its official website proclaims it as a "cultural crypto movement and an icon in the web3 world, representing fun and innovation."
Unlike Coq Inu, Snek boasts well-defined tokenomics and a clear project development plan. The developers have detailed the token distribution structure, reserving a portion for future listings, airdrops, and collaborations.
Snek Tokenomics. Source: snek.com
The meme coin is witnessing steady growth. Its market cap hovers around $140 million, with daily trading volumes surpassing $4.5 million.
This token has won the backing of several crypto bloggers who have a penchant for meme coins. For example, Zack Humphries suggests that we might see liquidity shift from BONK to Snek, deeming it a worthy investment.
The creators of Snek are transparent about their intention to leverage the fame of Pepe, Bonk, Shiba Inu, and Dogecoin, aiming to use these as a launchpad for their own ascent and ultimately become a leader in the realm of meme-based cryptocurrencies.
