In the fast-paced world of crypto Twitter, where opinions fly faster than transaction speeds on Solana, a recent exchange has sparked discussions about the role of influencers in shaping market trends. Prominent trader Ansem, known for his bold calls on meme tokens, posted about an upcoming ICO for Umbra Privacy, lamenting how memecoins have stolen the spotlight from innovative projects on Solana. But not everyone was buying it— one user quickly pointed out what they saw as hypocrisy, given Ansem's track record.

The Original Post by Ansem

On October 6, 2025, Ansem tweeted about the Umbra Privacy ICO launching on MetaDAO. He highlighted how strong teams building on Solana have been overlooked due to the overwhelming focus on memecoins, which are essentially fun, community-driven tokens often based on internet memes rather than deep tech. Ansem emphasized the importance of built-in privacy features for layer-1 blockchains like Solana, calling it a key native functionality for the future.

The post included a screenshot of the Umbra ICO page, showing over $3.3 million committed—way above the $750,000 minimum—and details about the project. Umbra aims to bring privacy to swaps and transfers on Solana, built on Arcium technology, making it a step toward more confidential and compliant blockchain interactions.

The Sharp Response

The very next day, on October 7, user @jahris_ quoted Ansem's tweet with a biting remark: "was shilling shitters for 90% of the bull market" followed by a nerd emoji mocking the quoted line about overlooked teams. "Shitters" is slang in crypto circles for low-quality or risky tokens, often referring to memecoins that pump quickly but can dump just as fast. The implication? Ansem himself has been a big promoter of these very memecoins that he now says are distracting from real innovation.

This call-out resonated because it touches on a broader tension in the Solana ecosystem. Solana, a high-speed blockchain known for low fees and scalability, has become a hotbed for memecoin mania, attracting retail investors chasing quick gains.

Who is Ansem and His Memecoin Legacy?

For those new to the space, Ansem (real name Zion Thomas) is a well-known crypto influencer with over half a million followers on X (formerly Twitter). He's often called "The Solana Guy" for his early advocacy of the Solana blockchain back when it was trading at just $2. But he's perhaps even more famous for his memecoin trades and promotions.

Ansem has publicly shared lists of top meme coins, including heavy hitters like Dogwifhat (WIF), which became one of the largest on Solana with a massive market cap. Reports suggest he's made millions from these trades, but he's also faced criticism. For instance, on-chain sleuth ZachXBT has accused him of promoting hundreds of low-cap Solana memecoins that later tanked, raising questions about pump-and-dump schemes—where influencers hype a token to inflate its price before selling off.

In interviews, like one with The Block, Ansem has acknowledged the misalignment of incentives in some celebrity-backed memecoins, noting how Solana's accessibility has enabled retail traders to participate with small amounts. Yet, his shift to promoting "strong teams" like Umbra has some seeing it as a convenient pivot now that the memecoin hype might be cooling.

What is Umbra Privacy?

Umbra Privacy is positioning itself as the "incognito mode" for Solana. In simple terms, blockchains like Solana are public ledgers—anyone can see transaction details, which is great for transparency but bad for privacy. Umbra, built on Arcium, introduces confidential swaps and transfers, meaning users can trade assets without revealing amounts or identities, all while staying compliant with regulations.

Their ICO on MetaDAO, a decentralized platform for token launches, is designed to be "unruggable"—meaning it's structured to prevent founders from running off with funds, a common scam in crypto. MetaDAO uses community governance to ensure fair launches, and Umbra's raise has already seen strong interest, with commitments far exceeding the minimum.

This project represents the kind of tech-focused innovation Ansem is now championing, but as @jahris_ points out, it's a far cry from the meme-driven tokens that dominated Solana's bull run.

The Bigger Picture for Meme Tokens

This Twitter spat highlights a key debate in the meme token world: Are memecoins a fun entry point for new users, or do they distract from building sustainable tech? On Solana, memecoins have driven massive adoption and liquidity, but they've also led to volatility and scams. Influencers like Ansem have played a huge role in that ecosystem, turning obscure tokens into overnight sensations.

For blockchain practitioners and meme enthusiasts alike, it's a reminder to look beyond the hype. While memecoins can offer quick thrills, projects like Umbra show how Solana is evolving with real utility. Whether Ansem's evolution is genuine or opportunistic, it's sparking conversations that could shape the next phase of crypto.

If you're into Solana memecoins or privacy tech, keep an eye on these developments— the ecosystem is heating up, and tools like MetaDAO might just bridge the gap between fun and fundamentals.