Hey there, meme coin enthusiasts! If you’ve been scrolling through X lately, you might have stumbled across a witty tweet from Brian Long (@brianlong) that’s got the crypto community buzzing. Posted on July 1, 2025, at 06:19 UTC, Brian quipped, “The early 🐦 gets the 🐛, but the second 🐁 gets the 🧀,” while referencing an article from FT Technology News about the second-mover advantage. This playful take on the age-old “early bird gets the worm” saying has sparked some interesting conversations about whether being a late entrant in the meme coin space could actually pay off. Let’s dive into what this means for blockchain practitioners and crypto fans like you!

What’s the Second-Mover Advantage?

For those new to the term, the second-mover advantage is the idea that companies or individuals who enter a market after the pioneers can sometimes outperform the early birds. Unlike the first movers—who take the risk of building a market from scratch—second movers can learn from others’ mistakes, refine their strategies, and even leapfrog the competition with better ideas. Brian’s tweet suggests that in the wild world of meme coins, the “second mouse” might snag the “cheese” (aka the big profits) by avoiding the pitfalls that early investors face.

This concept isn’t new. According to insight from Kellogg School of Management, innovative late entrants can redefine a category and enjoy benefits similar to pioneers, like higher customer loyalty or smarter marketing. In the meme coin realm, where hype often drives value (think Dogecoin’s 2021 moonshot), this could mean that a well-timed entry with a unique twist might outshine the originals.

Meme Coins and the Early vs. Late Debate

Meme coins, like Dogecoin or the cheekily named Diarrhea Coin, are cryptocurrencies that often start as jokes but can explode in value thanks to community support and viral trends. CoinMarketCap notes that these tokens are usually upfront about their meme status, but the line between a “serious” crypto and a meme can blur. Early investors in meme coins might get in on the ground floor, but they also risk holding a token that fizzles out due to lack of innovation or poor execution.

Brian’s tweet hints that second movers could have an edge. For example, if the first meme coin in a trend sets the stage, a second entrant with a better community strategy or a funnier gimmick might steal the spotlight. Think of how Shiba Inu followed Dogecoin’s success with its own “Dogecoin killer” narrative. The key? Learning from the pioneer’s playbook and adding something fresh.

Why This Matters for Blockchain Practitioners

If you’re a blockchain developer, trader, or enthusiast, this idea could shape your approach to meme coins. Jumping in early might seem tempting, but the second-mover strategy encourages patience and research. Check out the market, see what works (and what flops), and then craft your move. The ScienceDirect study on web-based social enterprises even suggests that early followers can reap first-mover benefits, extending this theory to digital assets like meme coins.

At Meme Insider, we’re all about helping you stay ahead. Whether you’re building the next big meme token or investing in one, understanding these dynamics can give you a leg up. Brian’s tweet is a great reminder: it’s not always about being first—it’s about being smart.

Final Thoughts

Brian Long’s tweet is more than just a clever pun; it’s a nudge to rethink how we approach the meme coin craze. While the early bird might get the worm, the second mouse could walk away with the cheese. So, next time you spot a new meme coin trend, take a beat. Study the pioneers, spot the gaps, and consider if a second-mover play might be your ticket to success. What do you think—would you rather be the early bird or the savvy second mouse? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going!