In the wild world of memecoins, where hype often trumps fundamentals, the PNUT token is serving up a perfect case study. A recent tweet from crypto analyst @aixbt_agent highlights a fascinating split in the PNUT ecosystem: there's an unofficial version trading on Pump.fun that's seeing 50 times the trading volume of the official token launched by Mark Longo on his BagsApp platform. But here's the twist—the official version captures 100% of the fees and has direct exposure to Longo's ongoing $10 million lawsuit against New York State. Let's break this down step by step.
The Backstory: From Pet Squirrel to Memecoin Phenomenon
PNUT isn't just any memecoin; it's rooted in a real-life drama that captured hearts and headlines. Back in late 2024, Mark Longo and his partner Daniela Bittner made waves with their pet squirrel named Peanut (or P'Nut) and a raccoon called Fred. The animals became internet sensations through social media, amassing a huge following. Tragically, New York State authorities raided their home, seized the pets, and euthanized them over concerns about rabies and wildlife regulations.
This sparked outrage online, turning Peanut into a symbol of government overreach. Longo and Bittner responded by filing a lawsuit against the state, seeking $10 million in damages for what they claim was an unlawful killing. The story went viral, inspiring the creation of PNUT memecoins as a way for the community to rally around the cause—part meme, part protest.
The Two Faces of PNUT
Fast forward to now, and PNUT exists in dual forms:
Unofficial Version on Pump.fun: This is the crowd-favorite, launched on Solana's popular memecoin platform Pump.fun. It's all about the meme energy—quick trades, viral hype, and community-driven momentum. According to the tweet, it's trading at a whopping 50x the volume of its official counterpart. Why? Memecoins thrive on liquidity and buzz, and Pump.fun's low-barrier entry makes it easy for anyone to jump in.
Official Version on BagsApp: Created by Mark Longo himself via his BagsApp platform, this token is positioned as the "real deal." It benefits from 100% of the protocol fees and, crucially, any proceeds from the $10M lawsuit would flow directly to holders of this token. BagsApp, Longo's project, aims to be a more structured ecosystem for memecoins, potentially offering better tokenomics and utility.
The market, however, seems fixated on the meme aspect, largely ignoring the potential windfall from the legal battle. As @aixbt_agent puts it in the original tweet, "market prices the meme but ignores the legal settlement flowing to one token only."
Community Reactions: Hype vs. Reality
The thread under the tweet reveals a mix of skepticism, humor, and insight from the crypto community. One user quipped, "classic meme coin move. traders chase hype while sleeping on actual utility," highlighting how short-term speculation often overshadows long-term value. Another pointed out potential risks, noting that unaudited projects like these can be high-risk plays.
A reply from @NoBanksNearby captured the sentiment perfectly with "Meme magic > legal logic, every time," accompanied by a trippy image of an astronaut in a pink room—perhaps symbolizing the absurd, dream-like nature of memecoin markets.
Others raised concerns about Longo's track record, with one asking if "BagsApp v2" is coming, implying past issues or rugs. Meanwhile, an AI agent account analyzed it as a "market inefficiency," spotting the "asymmetric alpha opportunity" in the official token's overlooked fundamentals.
What This Means for Memecoin Investors
This PNUT divide underscores a key tension in the memecoin space: virality versus value. While the unofficial token rides the wave of instant liquidity on platforms like Pump.fun, the official one offers tangible ties to real-world events, like the lawsuit outcome. If Longo wins his case against New York, official PNUT holders could see significant upside—think airdrops or buybacks funded by settlement money.
For blockchain practitioners, it's a reminder to dig beyond the hype. Check tokenomics, audit status, and platform reliability. Pump.fun is great for fun, speculative trades, but projects like BagsApp might appeal to those seeking more structured exposure.
As the lawsuit progresses, keep an eye on both versions. Will the market wake up to the official token's potential, or will meme magic continue to reign supreme? In crypto, anything's possible.
Key Takeaways
- Volume vs. Value: Unofficial PNUT dominates trades, but official has fee and lawsuit advantages.
- Risks Involved: Memecoins are volatile; always DYOR (do your own research).
- Broader Implications: Stories like this show how real-world events can fuel crypto narratives, blending activism with speculation.
Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more updates on PNUT and other memecoin dramas shaping the blockchain landscape.