In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, where fortunes can be made or lost overnight, one trader is making a compelling case for meme coins as a viable path to retirement. Shadow, a prominent crypto personality on X (formerly Twitter), recently shared an update on his dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategy with $RETIRE, a Solana-based meme token. His post highlights staggering returns that far outpace traditional investment vehicles like 401k plans.

DCA, for those new to the term, is a simple yet effective investment strategy where you invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the asset's price. This approach helps mitigate the impact of volatility by averaging out the purchase cost over time. Shadow applied this to $RETIRE, investing $250 every week starting from February 7, 2025.

His latest update, posted on September 17, 2025, shows his wallet balance at an impressive $47,769.61, holding 3,886,250.03 $RETIRE tokens. That's an all-time gain of $43.2K, representing a whopping 955.41% return in just seven months. To put that in perspective, the average annual return for a 401k is around 7-10% – nowhere near the explosive growth seen here.

This isn't Shadow's first update; he quoted his previous post from September 12, where the balance was up over $38.2K with 844% gains. The consistent upward trajectory underscores the potential of sticking with a belief-driven investment in meme coins.

What is $RETIRE?

$RETIRE, also known as "The Last Play," is a meme coin on the Solana blockchain with the contract address zGh48JtNHVBb5evgoZLXwgPD2Qu4MhkWdJLGDAupump. Launched in early 2025, it embodies the dream of financial freedom and early retirement – a sentiment that resonates deeply in the crypto community. With a total supply of approximately 1 billion tokens and a current market cap around $12 million (as of recent data), $RETIRE has seen significant volatility but also remarkable growth.

The coin's mantra, "We all believe, we all retire," shared in its Telegram community (t.me/retireportal), captures the optimistic, community-driven spirit typical of successful meme tokens. Traded primarily on decentralized exchanges like Raydium, its price has fluctuated from an all-time low of $0.0004575 to a high of $0.01624, currently hovering around $0.012.

Shadow's advocacy for $RETIRE goes beyond personal gains. In his posts, he emphasizes the broader movement: "Once $retire hits mainstream its over. Everyone who I’ve shown this movement to gets it immediately." He positions it as a rebellion against conventional retirement systems, arguing that crypto offers a faster path to freedom without waiting until age 65.

The Power of Belief in Meme Coins

Meme coins like $RETIRE thrive on community belief and viral momentum rather than traditional fundamentals. Shadow's strategy demonstrates how combining DCA with a strong conviction can yield life-changing results. His thread sparked discussions among followers, with replies echoing the sentiment – from comparing it to outperforming the US dollar to calling it the "new 401k."

One user noted, "401k believers couldn't dream of 950%," while another shared their own success stories with similar strategies. This collective enthusiasm highlights how meme tokens are evolving from mere jokes to potential wealth-builders in the blockchain space.

Implications for Blockchain Practitioners

For those in the crypto world, Shadow's story is a reminder of the opportunities in Solana's meme ecosystem. Solana's low fees and high speed make it ideal for frequent DCA transactions without eating into profits. However, it's crucial to remember that meme coins are highly speculative and volatile – gains like these come with significant risks.

If you're inspired to explore $RETIRE, you can trade it on platforms like Raydium (dexscreener.com/solana/6hfajiuutxfzefmdkqsn bvfe6i95nh2wuvj5dwmf7gtw) or check live prices on CoinGecko (coingecko.com/en/coins/the-last-play). Always do your own research and consider the market's unpredictability.

Shadow's journey with $RETIRE isn't just about numbers; it's about redefining retirement in the digital age. As he puts it, "Why not believe in something? And… why not retire???? Billions." Whether $RETIRE becomes the next big thing or not, stories like this fuel the innovation and excitement in meme tokens.