In a recent tweet that's sparking discussions across the crypto community, Mert, the CEO of Helius Labs, shared his thoughts on what he sees as the biggest product-market fit (PMF) opportunities in the blockchain space. For those new to the term, PMF refers to how well a product satisfies a strong market demand—essentially, what actually works and scales in crypto.

Mert points out that trading and store of value (SoV) are the clear winners right now. Trading involves buying, selling, and speculating on assets, while SoV means holding something like digital gold that preserves wealth over time. But he highlights a key flaw in current SoV options: privacy. Traditional assets like physical cash or gold let you transact anonymously, but that's often lost in the digital world where everything is traceable on public blockchains.

To bridge this gap, Mert suggests a "barbell" approach—a strategy inspired by investor Nassim Taleb, where you balance ultra-safe, conservative holdings with high-risk, high-reward bets, avoiding the mushy middle. In crypto terms, he proposes pairing privacy-focused SoV assets with robust trading infrastructures.

His specific recommendation? A combo of (Gold, ZEC, BTC) crossed with (Hood, SOL, HYPE). Let's break that down:

• Gold: The timeless SoV, often held physically or via ETFs for stability.
• ZEC (Zcash)​: A privacy coin that uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable shielded transactions, keeping your business private—addressing that gap Mert mentioned.
• BTC (Bitcoin)​: The OG crypto SoV, known for its scarcity and decentralization.
• Hood (Robinhood, $HOOD)​: The popular trading app that's expanding into crypto, making it easier for retail users to jump in.
• SOL (Solana)​: A high-speed blockchain that's become a hub for trading, DeFi, and yes, meme tokens.
• HYPE (Hyperliquid)​: A decentralized perpetuals exchange on its own chain, focusing on efficient trading with its native token.

Mert caps it off with "trillions," hinting at the massive market potential if these plays converge. It's a nod to how privacy enhancements could unlock huge value in SoV, while trading platforms like Solana continue to dominate.

This tweet didn't just stay in the realm of serious crypto analysis—it quickly attracted a wave of meme token shills in the replies, which isn't surprising given Solana's meme-friendly ecosystem. For instance, promoters of $SANTA, a holiday-themed meme on Solana, jumped in with festive hype, tying into seasonal narratives that often drive viral adoption.

Similarly, $MANYU supporters chimed in, emphasizing community strength and timely reminders to "lock in" during November's market momentum.

And don't overlook $GROOM (Ghost Room), which aligns perfectly with Mert's privacy theme. It's building a privacy layer for payments and communication, even working offline via Bluetooth mesh networks— a real-world solution for untraceable interactions.

For meme token enthusiasts on platforms like Solana, Mert's endorsement of SOL as a trading powerhouse is bullish news. Solana's low fees and fast transactions have made it the go-to for launching and trading memes, from seasonal hits like $SANTA to innovative privacy plays like $GROOM. As privacy becomes a bigger deal in SoV, we might see more meme projects incorporating shielded features, blending fun with functional utility.

If you're building or investing in the meme space, keep an eye on how these barbell strategies evolve. Privacy isn't just a buzzword—it's a trillion-dollar unlock waiting to happen. What do you think of Mert's take? Head over to the original thread on X here and join the conversation.