If you’ve been keeping an eye on the crypto world, you might have noticed something interesting happening in 2025. Ella Zhang, the head of YZi Labs, recently shared a tweet that’s got people talking. She posted a chart showing the ratio of meme coin market cap to non-meme coin market cap, and the numbers tell a clear story: investors are moving away from meme coins and focusing on cryptocurrencies with stronger fundamentals.

What’s Happening With Meme Coins?

The chart Ella shared, sourced from CoinMarketCap, shows that the meme coin to non-meme coin market cap ratio has been dropping. Back in November 2024, it peaked at 9%, but by February 2025, it had fallen to 5.67%. That’s a significant shift! Meme coins—like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu—are cryptocurrencies that often gain popularity through internet memes and community hype rather than solid tech or real-world use cases. While they can be fun and sometimes see explosive growth, they’re also risky because their value can drop just as quickly.

Ella’s post emphasizes that this decline signals a broader trend in the crypto market. Investors are now prioritizing “fundamentals”—things like a project’s technology, team, and long-term potential over short-term hype. She wrote, “Focus on #fundamentals. Long term builders win.” It’s a reminder that sustainable projects are likely to outperform flashy but fleeting trends.

Why This Matters for Crypto in 2025

This shift makes sense when you look at the bigger picture. Meme coins, while popular, often lack the stability or utility that serious investors look for. On the other hand, altcoins (cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin) with high market float—meaning there are plenty of coins available for trading—offer better liquidity and stability. As BeInCrypto reported in a related post, traders are favoring these kinds of assets for their reliability.

YZi Labs, where Ella works, is no stranger to this focus on fundamentals. The firm, formerly known as Binance Labs, has a track record of supporting major Web3 projects like Polygon and Injective Protocol. They’re now expanding into areas like AI and biotechnology, but their core belief remains the same: long-term value comes from innovation and solid foundations, not just hype.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re thinking about jumping into crypto, this trend is worth paying attention to. Meme coins might still have their moments, but the market seems to be maturing. Investors are looking for projects that solve real problems or offer practical applications—like faster transactions, secure data storage, or integration with new technologies. That doesn’t mean meme coins are dead, but they’re less likely to dominate the market like they did in 2021 or early 2024.

Ella’s tweet also sparked a lot of reactions on X, with users sharing their own thoughts on the crypto market. Some pointed to specific projects like BNB Chain or even quirky tokens like Moodeng, but the overall sentiment echoed her message: focus on what’s sustainable.

The Bigger Picture

This shift ties into what experts are saying about crypto in 2025. According to InvestingHaven, the crypto market is expected to remain volatile but directionally bullish, with leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others with strong fundamentals leading the charge. Meme coins, while still part of the ecosystem, are taking a backseat as investors prioritize stability and innovation.

So, whether you’re a seasoned crypto trader or just curious about the space, Ella’s insight offers a valuable lesson: in 2025, the crypto market rewards patience and a focus on the basics. Long-term builders—and investors—really do win in the end!