A Viral X Post Captures the Wild Evolution of Memecoins

On April 14, 2025, a post from Pump.fun went viral, capturing the internet’s attention with a side-by-side comparison of memecoins “then” and “now.” The image starkly illustrates how the crypto world’s sense of humor has shifted—from the playful, dog-themed tokens like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu to a new wave of absurd, edgy names like “retard coin,” “retard finance,” and even “DICK BUTT.” With the caption “the future is retarded,” Pump.fun sparked a conversation about the state of memecoins in 2025, reflecting both the absurdity and the speculative frenzy that define this corner of the crypto market.

Memecoins “Then”: The Rise of Dog-Themed Tokens

The left side of the image takes us back to the early days of memecoins, spotlighting tokens that became cultural phenomena. Dogecoin, launched in 2013 by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, kicked off the trend as a satirical take on the crypto hype, featuring the iconic Shiba Inu “Doge” meme. It was cheap, fun, and perfect for tipping online or funding quirky causes, with a massive 100 billion coin supply and no cap InteractiveCrypto.

Following Dogecoin’s lead, Shiba Inu (SHIB) emerged in 2020, branding itself as the “Dogecoin killer.” Fueled by the “SHIB Army” and a massive surge in 2021—hitting a $5 billion market cap—it became a top player in the memecoin space. Floki Inu (FLOKI), inspired by a single tweet from Elon Musk about his puppy, also joined the pack in 2021, capitalizing on Musk’s memecoin magic. Even more established coins like Ripple (XRP) and SafeMoon made the list, though SafeMoon later became a cautionary tale after a dramatic crash InteractiveCrypto.

These early memecoins were driven by community enthusiasm and lighthearted humor, often tied to internet memes like the Shiba Inu dog. They weren’t trying to solve world problems like Bitcoin or Ethereum—just having a good time while occasionally making some investors rich.

Memecoins “Now”: Edgy Humor Takes Over

Fast forward to 2025, and the right side of Pump.fun’s image shows a very different landscape. The names have gotten wilder, crasser, and more absurd: “retard finder,” “retarded dog,” “ethereum maxi,” and the eyebrow-raising “DICK BUTT.” These tokens reflect a new era of memecoins that lean heavily into provocative, often juvenile humor, likely as a way to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

This shift isn’t just about shock value—it’s a sign of how memecoins have evolved with platforms like Pump.fun, which launched in 2024 on the Solana blockchain. Pump.fun makes it ridiculously easy to create a token for just 0.02 SOL (about $2.6), lowering the barrier for anyone to jump in and create the next viral coin. Once a token hits a market cap of $69,000 on Solana, part of its liquidity is burned, a mechanism designed to drive growth and adoption MEXC Blog. The result? A flood of new tokens, many with names that push boundaries to grab attention.

The Speculative Frenzy and Its Critics

The caption “the future is retarded” isn’t just a joke—it’s a biting commentary on the speculative nature of memecoins. These tokens often lack intrinsic value, relying instead on hype, virality, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) to drive their prices. In Q1 2024, memecoins on Solana saw an average return of 1,312%, with tokens like Dogwifhat climbing into the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap. But for every success story, there are countless failures—many investors have lost fortunes chasing the next big thing Cointelegraph.

Crypto veterans have long warned against the risks of memecoins, pointing to their lack of utility and the casino-like atmosphere they create. A spokesperson from Bitrue told Cointelegraph that this frenzy can “distort the image of cryptocurrencies, potentially undermining their credibility and the broader adoption of blockchain technology.” While memecoins have brought new users into the crypto space, their volatility and speculative nature raise questions about the maturity of the market Cointelegraph.

Community Reactions: From Humor to Hype

The X thread sparked a range of reactions from the crypto community. User @sirceen noted, “Memes are now mainstream,” to which Pump.fun replied, “job’s not finished,” hinting at more to come. @100kETH coined the term “RETARDCYCLE,” while @iThrowCrypto humorously admitted, “Bro im retarted,” a sentiment Pump.fun confirmed with a cheeky “confirmed.” Others, like @Ga__ke, simply acknowledged the trend with “memecoins,” to which Pump.fun boldly responded, “future of finance.”

These replies show how the crypto community has embraced the absurdity of memecoins, often leaning into the humor while simultaneously fueling the hype. It’s a cycle of irony and speculation, where the line between satire and serious investment blurs.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Memecoins?

The Pump.fun post highlights a broader trend in the crypto world: memecoins are no longer just a niche joke—they’re a cultural force. They’ve evolved from playful experiments to a speculative playground, driven by platforms like Pump.fun that make token creation accessible to anyone with a few bucks and a wild idea. But with that accessibility comes risk. The lack of regulation, combined with the volatility of these tokens, means that for every Dogwifhat, there’s a SafeMoon waiting to crash and burn.

As we move further into 2025, the memecoin space shows no signs of slowing down. But the question remains: is this the future of finance, as Pump.fun jokingly suggests, or a bubble waiting to pop? One thing’s for sure—the crypto world’s sense of humor has gotten a lot weirder, and the stakes have never been higher.