Have you seen the exciting update from Token Terminal? The quarterly revenue for blockchain-based businesses has just hit an all-time high of $4 billion. This isn't some fleeting hype—it's a clear indicator that entrepreneurs are making real money by building their ventures directly on the blockchain, or "onchain" as we say in the crypto world.
The chart above, shared by Token Terminal on X, illustrates this impressive growth trajectory starting from Q1 2014 all the way to the present. You can see the revenue bars climbing higher, especially in the last few years, peaking at that $4 billion mark. What stands out is the message: more money is flowing into onchain businesses, signaling a shift where crypto isn't just about speculation anymore—it's about sustainable earnings.
Breaking Down Onchain Revenue
If you're new to this, "onchain revenue" refers to the money generated by blockchain projects from their core products or services. This could include transaction fees on networks like Ethereum or Solana, trading fees from decentralized exchanges (DEXs), or even yields from lending protocols in DeFi (decentralized finance). According to data platforms like Token Terminal, this metric captures earnings before subtracting costs like token incentives or operational expenses. It's a raw look at how much value these businesses are capturing directly from users.
In simpler terms, think of it like a tech startup's top-line sales. For blockchains, high revenue often comes from bustling activity—trades, transfers, and interactions that users pay for. And guess what's been supercharging this lately? Meme tokens.
How Meme Tokens Are Driving the Revenue Surge
Meme tokens, those fun, community-driven coins often inspired by internet jokes or animals, aren't just for laughs anymore. They're becoming a major force in the onchain economy. Take Solana, for example. In Q2 2025, the Solana network raked in over $1 billion in revenue, a 150% jump from the previous quarter. A big chunk of that? Attributed to the explosion of meme coin activity and dApps built around them Solana Network Hits $1 Billion Revenue in Q2 2025.
Platforms like Pump.fun, a popular Solana-based meme coin launchpad, are prime examples. It generated $13.48 million in revenue in just one week in August 2025, and its lifetime revenue has topped $800 million Pump.fun Reclaims Solana Top Spot and Pump.fun Leads with $800M Revenue. How? By charging small fees for creating and trading new meme coins, which attracts hordes of traders and boosts overall network activity.
This meme-driven frenzy increases transaction volumes, leading to higher fees collected by the underlying blockchain. Solana's total value locked (TVL) hit $11.7 billion in 2025, with meme coin market caps surging alongside Solana's Meme Coin Ecosystem. Even top meme coins like Bonk, Dogwifhat, and Popcat are contributing by encouraging constant trading and community engagement, which translates to real revenue for the ecosystem.
What This Means for Meme Token Enthusiasts and Builders
For anyone in the meme token space—whether you're a trader, creator, or just curious—this revenue milestone is huge. It shows that meme tokens aren't isolated gimmicks; they're integral to the broader blockchain economy. Higher revenues mean more resources for development, better infrastructure, and potentially more stable projects. If you're building a meme token, platforms like Solana offer low-cost, high-speed environments where your project can thrive and contribute to (and benefit from) this growth.
But remember, with great revenue comes great volatility. Meme tokens can pump hard but also dump just as fast. Always do your research and consider the risks.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Onchain Businesses and Memes
As we head deeper into 2025, this $4 billion benchmark could be just the beginning. With more entrepreneurs flocking to build onchain, expect innovations in meme token mechanics, like AI-integrated launches or community-governed funds. Keep an eye on data from sources like Token Terminal to stay ahead of the curve. If memes continue to dominate activity on chains like Solana and Base, we might see even higher revenue figures soon.
At Meme Insider, we're all about helping you navigate this wild world. Check out our knowledge base for more on top meme tokens in 2025 and how to get involved safely. What's your take on this revenue boom—bullish for memes?