In a recent tweet, prominent crypto trader Ansem (@blknoiz06) shared his thoughts on what Solana needs to do to overtake Ethereum in market capitalization. As someone who's deeply embedded in the crypto space, Ansem's views often spark discussions, and this one is no exception. Let's break down his key points and explore why they matter for the future of meme tokens and broader blockchain adoption.

Understanding ICM: The New Frontier for Onchain Startups

First off, what's ICM? Standing for Internet Capital Markets, ICM represents a fresh narrative in the crypto world, particularly on Solana. It allows anyone to tokenize ideas or projects online, enabling instant fundraising and trading without the hurdles of traditional venture capital. Think of it as democratizing startup funding through blockchain – a way for innovative concepts to go viral and attract capital quickly.

Ansem argues that Solana must "win" this ICM meta if it wants to attract startups looking to move their operations onchain. Solana has already established dominance in memecoins, those fun, community-driven tokens that can skyrocket based on hype and virality. But to truly scale, Solana needs to expand into other sectors like ICM, where real-world startups can leverage the chain's speed and low costs for equity-like token offerings.

Solana's Memecoin Victory and the Path Ahead

It's no secret that Solana has crushed it in the memecoin arena. Platforms like Pump.fun have made launching tokens effortless, leading to explosive growth in tokens like $WIF or $BONK. Ansem points out that this win is solid, but it's not enough. To see $SOL surpass $ETH in market cap, Solana needs victories in multiple areas.

One critical area is perpetual decentralized exchanges (perp DEXes). Ansem mentions the need for Solana to stay competitive with players like Hyperliquid, a high-performance perp DEX known for its speed and efficiency, and Lighter, which offers advanced orderbook trading on Solana itself. By bolstering its perp DEX ecosystem, Solana can attract more traders and liquidity, strengthening its overall position.

Community Reactions and Shilling Highlights

The tweet quickly garnered responses from the community, with many shilling their favorite tokens tied to the ICM narrative. For instance, one user highlighted $STARTUP as a low-cap gem in the ICM space, sitting at just a 6M market cap with purported zero execution risk.

Another pointed to $QSTAY, positioning it as a leader in ICMs and real-world assets (RWAs), with ambitions to build a massive Web3 empire. Comments like these show how the community is already buzzing about ICM projects, often blending meme culture with serious funding mechanics.

There were also plugs for other tokens like $WAGMI, $SOMBRERO, $FUCKCOIN, $BUDDY, and $KLED, each riding the wave of Solana's momentum. One reply even questioned how a Solana-based DEX could compete when users can already deposit SOL directly into Hyperliquid, sparking debates on interoperability and user experience.

Not everyone was bullish, though. A contrarian view suggested that ICM tokens might lack long-term value, destined for zero due to their speculative nature, and that true memecoin longevity lies on Ethereum.

Why This Matters for Meme Token Enthusiasts

For those in the meme token game, Ansem's tweet is a reminder that Solana's ecosystem is evolving. While memecoins provide quick thrills, integrating with ICM could bring more sustainable growth, attracting institutional interest and real startups. If Solana nails this, it could flip the script on Ethereum, which has long held the crown for DeFi and NFTs.

As blockchain practitioners, keeping an eye on these metas is crucial. Solana's low fees and high throughput make it ideal for ICM, but competition is fierce. Tools like Raydium for trading and Pump.fun for launches are already paving the way.

In summary, Ansem's call to action underscores a pivotal moment for Solana. By dominating ICM for startups and ramping up in perp DEXes, Solana could indeed challenge Ethereum's dominance. Whether you're a degen trader or a serious builder, this narrative is one to watch closely. Check out the original tweet here for the full thread and join the conversation.