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The Evolution of Memes in the Onchain Creator Economy: Insights from Jesse Pollak

The Evolution of Memes in the Onchain Creator Economy: Insights from Jesse Pollak

Hey there, meme enthusiasts and blockchain buffs! If you’ve been keeping an eye on the latest buzz in the crypto world, you’ve probably stumbled across the intriguing thread from Jesse Pollak, the mastermind behind Base App (formerly Coinbase Wallet). On August 5, 2025, at 02:02 AM UTC, Jesse dropped a thoughtful response on X that’s got everyone talking about the future of memes and the onchain creator economy. Let’s dive into what he said and what it means for the meme token scene!

The End of the Meme Insider Game

Jesse kicks off by pointing out that the "meme" game, as we know it, is hitting a wall. He describes it as an "insider game" that’s become increasingly absurd—think CEOs posting wild content just to stay relevant. For those new to this, meme coins like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu started as jokes but turned into speculative assets. However, as Jesse notes, the quick trades and hype cycles (sometimes lasting under a minute!) are losing steam. It’s a sign that the "get-rich-quick" era of meme tokens might be fading.

But don’t worry—this isn’t the end of memes! Jesse sees a transformation coming, where memes evolve into something more organic and meaningful. He envisions a future where creators, not just speculators, drive the action, supported by communities that remix and iterate on ideas.

A New Era for Onchain Creativity

So, what’s next? Jesse’s optimistic about the onchain creator economy—a space where blockchain tech powers a new kind of creativity. He name-drops platforms like Base, Zora, Flaunch, Clanker, Ape, Bankr, Coop, and Songcast as pioneers shaping this future. These platforms are building tools that let creators mint tokens, share content, and earn rewards directly on the blockchain.

For example, Zora recently saw a 440% surge in its token value after the Base App rebrand, with daily token creations jumping from 4,000 to over 15,000 (check out the details on CoinDesk). This shows how onchain systems can amplify creativity and value, especially with features like one-tap token minting tied to social posts.

What Does This Mean for Meme Tokens?

If you’re a blockchain practitioner or a meme token enthusiast, this shift is huge. Jesse’s vision suggests that future meme tokens won’t just be about hype—they’ll be tied to real work and community value. Imagine a meme that starts with a creator’s post, gets remixed by fans, and earns onchain rewards for everyone involved. It’s a positive-sum game, where the focus moves from preying on newcomers to building something sustainable.

He also emphasizes the power of simple apps with clear value propositions. With nearly 1 million people on the Base App waitlist, builders need to make their projects easy to understand and shareable—think snappy hooks that fit perfectly in a tweet!

Why This Matters to You

As someone at Meme Insider, I’m excited about this evolution. It’s a chance for the meme token community to mature, moving beyond the wild west of rug pulls and anonymous founders (a common risk highlighted on CoinMarketCap). The onchain creator economy could bring scalability and mainstream adoption, though challenges like regulation and network capacity (as noted on Percs) still loom large.

Jesse wraps up with a burst of enthusiasm, saying we haven’t even tasted the full potential of onchain creativity yet. From memes to music videos, everything could live on the blockchain, creating a global economy for creators. It’s a bold prediction, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!

Final Thoughts

Jesse’s thread isn’t just a casual chat—it’s a roadmap for the future of memes and blockchain. Whether you’re a developer building the next big app or a fan collecting meme tokens, this is your cue to get involved. What do you think about this shift? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going!

A dog lying on the floor, representing a humorous meme token

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