In the fast-moving world of crypto, where trends can shift overnight—especially in the meme token scene—knowing when to pivot can make or break a project. That's the key takeaway from a recent clip shared by MR SHIFT on X, featuring Connor Howe, founder of Enso (formerly EnsoBuild), on the "When Shift Happens" podcast.

What is Enso? A Simple Breakdown

If you've ever tried explaining crypto to a non-techie friend or family member, you know it's tough. Connor nails it by calling Enso the "world map of crypto." Imagine a one-stop hub where developers can build any kind of app on the blockchain without starting from scratch every time. It's like Google's backend tech—powerful under the hood, but not the flashy interface you see.

Enso is built on Solana, a blockchain known for its speed and low costs, which has become a hotspot for meme tokens like Dogwifhat or Bonk. With its $ENSO token recently hitting exchanges like Binance, Enso aims to simplify on-chain development, potentially making it easier for meme creators to launch and iterate on their ideas.

The Double Pivot: Killing What You Built

Getting to this point wasn't easy. Connor reveals that Enso went through two major overhauls. The first version was a fully on-chain social trading app—think copying trades from influencers directly on the blockchain. They spent a year and a half, plus over $500,000 on security audits, only to scrap it.

Why? DeFi (decentralized finance, where you can lend, borrow, or trade without banks) was evolving too quickly. By the time they integrated one protocol, something new and better popped up, making their work obsolete.

The second attempt? A DeFi super app that combined multiple finance tools in one place. Again, audits, development time—all down the drain. Connor explains that waiting weeks and spending tens of thousands on each integration meant users would be at a disadvantage before the app even launched.

Most founders cling to their original idea because "that's what we raised money for." But Connor didn't. He killed both versions to build something more adaptable. In the meme token world, where hype can fade in days, this mindset is gold. Meme projects often start as jokes but need to pivot to utilities or partnerships to survive.

Why This Matters for Meme Token Enthusiasts

Meme tokens thrive on community and virality, but behind the scenes, they're built on the same blockchain tech as serious projects. Tools like Enso could lower the barrier for launching memes with real features—maybe integrated trading, social elements, or cross-chain capabilities—without massive dev costs.

With Enso's focus on "blockchain shortcuts," it could speed up the creation of meme ecosystems. Imagine deploying a meme token with built-in DeFi hooks in hours instead of months. As Solana continues to dominate the meme meta, projects like this might fuel the next wave of viral coins.

The full "DROPS" episode drops soon—keep an eye on the When Shift Happens podcast for more. In crypto, especially memes, adaptability isn't optional; it's survival.

Community Reactions

The tweet sparked some buzz:

• One user praised the "mom test" for simplifying complex ideas.
• Others hyped $ENSO's potential, with price predictions up to $5-8.
• But not all positive—a few called it a scam, highlighting the skepticism in low-cap tokens.

As always in meme land, do your own research. Enso's story shows that even "serious" crypto lessons apply to the wild world of memes. What's your take on pivoting in projects? Drop it in the comments!