In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, shifts in sentiment can happen overnight, but some trends take years to unfold. Recently, Ethereum educator and founder of The Daily Gwei, Anthony Sassano (@sassal0x), shared a thought-provoking post on X that captures a fascinating irony in the crypto space. After years of advocacy from the community, Wall Street is starting to grasp Ethereum's (ETH) core value as the "world's greatest programmable store of value." Meanwhile, many crypto natives—those who've been in the trenches since the early days—are sitting on the sidelines when it comes to ETH.

For those new to the term, a "programmable store of value" refers to Ethereum's ability not just to hold value like digital gold (think Bitcoin), but to enable smart contracts—self-executing code that automates agreements without intermediaries. This makes ETH a foundational layer for decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and yes, even the explosive world of meme coins.

Sassano's observation is poetic because it flips the script on who the real believers are. Institutional investors, often seen as late to the party, are now pouring in with ETFs and big bets on ETH's future. On the flip side, veteran crypto users, perhaps burned by market volatility or lured by quicker gains elsewhere, have diversified away from ETH. This sidelining could stem from various factors, including the rise of alternative layer-1 blockchains or the allure of high-risk, high-reward plays like meme tokens.

The Meme Coin Connection: Why Natives Are Shifting Gears

One of the most intriguing angles here is how this ties into the meme token ecosystem. Meme coins, those viral, community-driven tokens often inspired by internet jokes or cultural phenomena, have become a staple for crypto natives seeking fast-paced action. Tokens like Dogecoin or newer entrants on Solana and Base have drawn crowds away from more "serious" assets like ETH. In the replies to Sassano's post, users echoed this sentiment. For instance, one commenter lamented that natives are now "HoDLing MEME garbage" instead of sticking with ETH, suggesting a perceived betrayal or pivot in priorities.

This shift isn't without reason. Meme coins offer a playground for speculation, social engagement, and sometimes outsized returns that ETH's steady-but-slower growth can't match in bull runs. However, as Wall Street solidifies ETH's status, it raises questions: Are crypto natives missing out on long-term gains by chasing memes? Or are memes the new frontier where innovation meets fun?

Reactions from the Community: Bullish Vibes and Irony

The post sparked a wave of replies that highlight the divided opinions in crypto. Some users celebrated the institutional adoption, with one saying, "Eth is king," underscoring ETH's enduring appeal. Others pointed out the irony, noting that those who "built the culture and liquidity rails for ETH" are now watching from afar as big money takes the wheel.

A particularly visual reply came from Brian McMichael, CTO of DeFi Maseer, who posted a photo of himself posing confidently with the iconic Charging Bull statue on Wall Street, captioning it, "I realized I couldn't beat them, so I joined them. Big news coming soon." This image symbolizes the blend of crypto's rebellious roots with traditional finance's might—a theme that's becoming increasingly common as blockchain matures.

Another reply questioned how long until Wall Street goes "fully bullish on ETH," while skeptics argued that true natives never left. Even mentions of investing in chains like ETH for infrastructure over pump-and-dump schemes show a maturing perspective among some users.

What This Means for Meme Token Enthusiasts

At Meme Insider, we're all about decoding these narratives to help you navigate the meme token space smarter. This ETH awakening by institutions could indirectly boost meme coins built on Ethereum or its layer-2 solutions, like Base or Optimism, where many memes thrive. Increased liquidity and legitimacy for ETH might trickle down, making meme projects more accessible and valuable.

If you're a crypto native who's sidelined ETH for memes, Sassano's post is a gentle reminder to diversify thoughtfully. Meme tokens are exciting, but pairing them with blue-chip assets like ETH could balance your portfolio against market whims.

As the crypto world continues to bridge with traditional finance, stories like this remind us of the poetic twists that keep things interesting. Whether you're team ETH, team memes, or both, staying informed is key to thriving in blockchain's dynamic ecosystem. What are your thoughts on this shift? Drop a comment below or share on X!