If you’ve been around the crypto block for a while, you might remember when Solana was trading at just $8. That’s the vibe @weremeow captured in their tweet from July 29, 2025, when they reminisced about those early days. The post, which you can check out here, paints a picture of a time filled with “pure lock-in, pure teamwork, pure PvE” (Player vs. Environment, a gaming term adopted by the crypto community). It’s a nod to the grind, the uncertainty, and the collaborative spirit that turned Solana into the powerhouse it is today.

Why Solana at $8 Was a Game-Changer

Back when Solana was hovering around $8, the blockchain was still finding its footing. Launched in 2020 by Solana Labs (founded by Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal), it faced outages, hacks, and even lawsuits—challenges that tested its resilience. Yet, this period of struggle was a breeding ground for builders. With low prices and high uncertainty, developers and enthusiasts locked in, working together like a team in a PvE game, solving problems collectively rather than competing.

@weremeow highlights how this “slow grind with no clear path to win” laid the foundation for everything we use on Solana today—think DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, and even meme token ecosystems. It was less about quick wins and more about building something lasting, a philosophy that resonates with the Web3 ethos of decentralization and community-driven growth.

The Rise of PPP: Player Pump Player

The tweet also drops a key term: “PPP works, you just needed to be there.” PPP stands for Player Pump Player, a concept that’s gaining traction in the crypto world. Unlike the cutthroat Player vs. Player (PvP) dynamics where individuals compete for gains, PPP is about players pumping each other up—collaborating to grow the ecosystem. It’s a shift from rivalry to mutual support, where builders, traders, and communities lift each other to success.

This idea ties into Solana’s early days, where the lack of a clear “win” forced people to band together. Fast forward to 2025, and PPP is echoed in projects like NYLA AI, which @navi9000x plugged in a reply. NYLA lets you send tokens via a simple tweet, fostering social gifting and community engagement—pure PPP in action. The replies to @weremeow’s tweet also shout out other PPP-inspired projects like $GRRR_SOL and $JUPcat, showing how this philosophy is spreading across the Solana ecosystem.

The Images: A Visual Nod to the Journey

The tweet comes with two stunning images of an astronaut in a futuristic suit, standing against a cosmic backdrop with a glowing planet. These visuals, created by the talented team behind @weremeow’s post, symbolize the exploratory spirit of those early Solana days. The astronaut represents the builders venturing into the unknown, while the planet hints at the potential they unlocked. It’s a perfect metaphor for the PPP mindset—pushing forward together toward a shared horizon.

What This Means for Today’s Web3

So, why does this matter now? As of July 30, 2025, Solana has evolved far beyond its $8 roots, but the lessons remain. The PPP approach is a blueprint for sustainable growth in Web3. Projects are leveraging community collaboration, as seen with NYLA’s token whitelisting or the Algorand Foundation’s endorsement of such innovations. Even meme tokens, a big focus at Meme Insider, thrive on this communal energy, turning jokes into cultural movements.

For blockchain practitioners, this is a call to embrace the grind. Whether you’re coding a new dApp or joining a community like Solana’s, the PPP spirit can help you navigate today’s crowded market. @weremeow’s reflection isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a reminder that the best opportunities often come when the path isn’t clear, and the team is stronger than the competition.

Join the Conversation

What do you think about Solana’s early days or the PPP philosophy? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the discussion going! If you’re curious about more meme token trends or Web3 developments, explore our knowledge base at Meme Insider. Who knows? The next big build might start with you.