The Viral Fartcoin Trade That Shook the Crypto World

On April 11, 2025, a trader known as @punter_punts dropped a bombshell thread on X, detailing how they turned an 80k investment in Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) into billions. The centerpiece of the thread is a TradingView chart showing Fartcoin’s market cap skyrocketing from 80k to a staggering 220M in just a few months. This Solana-based meme coin, born from the AI bot Truth Terminal, became a symbol of the wild speculative frenzy gripping the crypto market in late 2024.

Breaking Down the Strategy: How Punter Punts Caught the Wave

Punter Punts didn’t just get lucky—they had a methodical approach that turned Fartcoin into the “biggest runner” of their career. Let’s dive into the six key factors they outlined in their thread.

1. Information Flow: Knowing Who to Follow

Punter emphasizes the importance of being early, which in the crypto world often means knowing the right people. They credit influencers like @himgajria and @DipWheeler for spotting Fartcoin when its market cap was still under 100k. On October 18, 2024, DipWheeler tweeted about buying Fartcoin, a signal that caught Punter’s attention. In crypto, this game of “telephone” means following accounts that others listen to—your network can make or break your timing.

2. Narrative Recognition: The Power of “First X of Y”

Meme coins often ride on catchy narratives, and Punter knew how to spot one. Fartcoin was the “first” coin tied to @truthterminal, an AI bot that had already fueled the success of another meme coin, GOAT, which 100x’d to a $500M market cap. Punter explains that “first X of Y” narratives—like being the first AI meme coin on Solana—are a staple in crypto. Recognizing this early gave them a massive edge over latecomers.

3. Market Context: Timing the Hype

Timing is everything in crypto, and Fartcoin launched at the perfect moment. Punter notes that Solana (SOL) was trending upward, onchain trading volumes were growing, and GOAT’s 100x run had created a risk appetite for the next big meme coin. This market context, combined with Fartcoin’s narrative, set the stage for its explosive growth. By January 2025, Fartcoin’s market cap hit $1.5B, making it the fifth-largest meme token on Solana, according to Crypto Briefing.

4. Position Sizing: Betting Big with the Kelly Criterion

Punter didn’t just jump in—they sized their bet carefully using the Kelly Criterion, a mathematical formula used by investors like Warren Buffet to optimize bet sizes. Because of Fartcoin’s strong narrative, perfect market conditions, and early information, Punter went all-in at the “top-end” of their risk tolerance. This approach ensured they maximized gains when Fartcoin surged over 600% in a month.

5. Conviction: Holding Through the Noise

One of the hardest parts of trading meme coins is knowing when to hold. Punter stresses that 10,000x returns—like Fartcoin’s—require holding through 100x gains, something most traders can’t stomach. They reserved their conviction for “special” coins like Fartcoin, which they believed was “THE coin of this cycle.” This mindset allowed them to ride the wave all the way to billions.

6. Execution: Knowing When to Sell

Finally, Punter had a clear exit plan. They set criteria based on volume profile shifts, time-based targets, and price milestones. Sticking to this plan, especially during emotional highs, ensured they locked in profits. Punter even shared follow-up posts answering questions about their time-based targets and volume shifts, showing their commitment to transparency.

Why Fartcoin Succeeded Where GOAT Failed

Punter also addressed why Fartcoin outshone GOAT, despite both being AI meme coins. While GOAT hit a $600M market cap, it eventually faltered, as noted in a Gate.io review. Fartcoin, however, tapped into a broader AI meme coin surge, becoming the second-largest in its category with a $1.5B market cap by January 2025. Its 95.5% price increase in the last 7 days far outpaced the global crypto market’s -4.4% trend, proving its staying power.

What Can We Learn from Punter’s Fartcoin Play?

Punter’s thread isn’t just a flex—it’s a masterclass in crypto trading. From leveraging networks to spotting narratives, timing the market, sizing bets, holding with conviction, and executing with discipline, their framework offers valuable lessons for any trader. They even teased that Fartcoin remains their largest position, hinting at more upside to come. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a newbie, this story shows that in the wild world of meme coins, strategy and timing can turn 80k into billions. Would you try Punter’s approach on the next big runner?