In a recent tweet, prominent crypto trader Ansem (@blknoiz06) doubled down on his thoughts about Solana's ecosystem, emphasizing the need for better token launch mechanisms. Quoting his earlier post from October 13, 2025, Ansem pointed out that Umbra Privacy (@UmbraPrivacy), which launched via a presale on MetaDAO (@MetaDAOProject), is now trading at about 7x its presale price. This success story underscores a bigger issue plaguing Solana: an overwhelming number of tokens and launchpads that lack proper accountability.

For those new to the space, Solana is a high-speed blockchain known for its low transaction fees and high throughput—think thousands of transactions per second (TPS). This has made it a hotspot for memecoins, those fun, community-driven tokens often inspired by internet memes. Memecoins like Dogecoin or newer Solana-based ones have exploded in popularity, serving as a real-world stress test for the network. They've proven that cheap, fast transactions are key for layer-1 blockchains (L1s), which are the base layers where everything else is built.

But as Ansem notes, the flood of tokens—many launched hastily without solid foundations—has become a core problem this cycle. Launchpads, platforms that help projects raise funds and distribute tokens, often prioritize quantity over quality, leading to rug pulls, scams, and diluted value. Ansem believes the path forward for Solana ($SOL) lies in the "internet capital markets" thesis: creating real protocols where tokens align with equity-like benefits for users and builders. This means moving beyond pure speculation to tokens that offer genuine utility and shared ownership.

Ansem highlights MetaDAO as a prime example of innovation in this area. It's a project focused on decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) for token launches, aiming to bring more structure and fairness. The fact that Umbra Privacy, a privacy-focused protocol, has seen such strong returns post-presale shows the potential. Adding weight to this trend, Ansem mentions Coinbase's acquisition of Echo (@echodotxyz) for a whopping $375 million. Echo, likely involved in similar token or protocol development tools, signals big institutional interest in revitalizing initial coin offerings (ICOs)—those early fundraising events that kickstarted many crypto projects back in the day.

"Make ICOs great again," Ansem concludes, echoing a sentiment that's gaining traction. For memecoin enthusiasts, this could mean a shift: while memes will always have their place as entry points and cultural phenomena, the ecosystem's maturity might favor projects that blend fun with real tech. Platforms like MetaDAO could help legit memecoin launches stand out, reducing the noise from low-effort pumps.

If you're diving into Solana memecoins or exploring new protocols, keeping an eye on these developments is crucial. They could drive $SOL's price higher by attracting serious builders and investors, ultimately benefiting the entire space. What do you think—will ICOs make a comeback, or are memecoins here to stay as the dominant force?