On October 20, 2025, a massive outage hit Amazon Web Services (AWS), knocking out services across the internet—from popular apps like Snapchat and Roblox to major crypto platforms. This wasn't just a blip; it was a real-world stress test for the crypto world, highlighting how dependent some parts of the ecosystem are on centralized cloud providers. Amid the chaos, Jacquelyn Melinek, founder of Token Relations and a prominent voice in crypto, dropped a tweet that captured the moment perfectly: "If your blockchain is still running while AWS is down, congrats you have passed the 'decentralization' test."

Her post quickly sparked a wave of responses from the community, with projects proudly chiming in to show they were still operational. For those unfamiliar, decentralization in blockchain means the network isn't reliant on a single point of failure—like a major cloud provider. Instead, nodes (computers that validate transactions) are spread out globally, often across different data centers and even home setups. This setup ensures the chain keeps chugging along even if one part goes dark.

The outage originated in AWS's US-EAST-1 region, a hotspot for many crypto services. Platforms like Coinbase, Robinhood, and Infura (a key provider for Ethereum access) went offline or slowed to a crawl. This ripple effect hit Ethereum Layer-2 networks hard—think Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon—where users couldn't connect via popular wallets like MetaMask. Trading halted, apps froze, and for a few hours, it felt like Web3's decentralization promise was more hype than reality.

But not all chains faltered. Core networks like Bitcoin, Ethereum's mainnet, and Solana kept producing blocks without missing a beat. Bitcoin, with its 15,000+ nodes scattered worldwide, didn't even notice the outage. Ethereum's base layer continued validating transactions, though apps built on top suffered. Solana stood out with less than 10% of its stake on AWS, relying instead on diverse providers like TeraSwitch and Cherry Servers. This global distribution meant no single failure could take it down.

Now, let's zoom in on meme tokens—the fun, viral side of crypto that often rides on these blockchains. Meme coins thrive on hype, community, and quick trades, so any downtime can kill momentum. Here's how some popular ones fared:

• Dogecoin ($DOGE)​: As a fork of Litecoin, Dogecoin runs on its own decentralized network. Litecoin itself replied to Melinek's tweet with a cheeky "Yay for me," and Dogecoin followed suit in spirit. No reports of disruptions—trades and transfers kept going smoothly. Billy Markus, Dogecoin's co-creator, even has ties to Bellscoin, another meme project that boasted about its resilience in the replies with "Decentralization gives no break."

• Solana-Based Memes (e.g., $BONK, $WIF, $MEW)​: Solana's ecosystem is a hotspot for meme tokens, thanks to its fast speeds and low fees. With the network staying fully operational, these coins avoided the pitfalls that hit Ethereum L2s. Projects like Bonk and Dogwifhat saw no blockchain-level issues, though some frontends or exchanges might have glitched if they relied on AWS. Solana's validator diversity proved why it's a go-to for meme launches—uptime means the party doesn't stop.

• Ethereum Meme Coins (e.g., $SHIB, $PEPE)​: Shiba Inu and Pepe are built on Ethereum's mainnet, which held strong. However, access was the problem: with Infura down, many users couldn't interact via wallets or DEXs like Uniswap. Funds were safe, but trading took a hit until services recovered. This underscores a key lesson— even decentralized chains can feel centralized if the gateways (like RPC providers) aren't diversified.

Other replies to Melinek's tweet highlighted similar wins. The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) bragged about running without AWS support, calling itself "Internet 2.0." Chainlink noted its oracle services stayed up, securing DeFi without interruption. Even XRP Ledger fans jumped in, noting seamless operations.

For blockchain practitioners and meme token enthusiasts, this outage is a wake-up call. When launching or trading memes, pick chains with proven resilience. Solana's model, with its low AWS dependency, shows how spreading nodes reduces risks. Tools like decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) could further harden networks against cloud failures. And remember, true decentralization isn't just about the tech—it's about avoiding vendor lock-in from giants like AWS.

As the dust settles, the crypto community is buzzing about building more robust systems. Melinek's tweet wasn't just a quip; it was a spotlight on what's working and what needs fixing. If you're diving into meme tokens, prioritize platforms that pass these real-world tests. After all, in crypto, uptime is everything.

Want to learn more? Check out updates on Solana's status or explore Dogecoin's network. Stay tuned to Meme Insider for the latest on how tech disruptions shape the meme economy.