In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, where innovation moves at lightning speed, a recent tweet from Mert, the CEO of Helius Labs, has sparked lively discussions among blockchain enthusiasts. Helius is a leading provider of Solana RPCs, APIs, and trading infrastructure, making Mert's insights particularly valuable for those navigating the crypto landscape. His straightforward advice? If you want to make money in crypto, focus on being offchain. Let's break this down and see how it relates to the meme token ecosystem we love here at Meme Insider.
Mert's tweet points out several key areas where offchain elements are driving profitability. First up: prediction markets. These are platforms where users bet on real-world outcomes, like election results or sports games. According to Mert, they're "almost entirely offchain with onchain deposits." This means the heavy lifting—processing bets, calculating odds, and handling data—happens off the blockchain for efficiency and speed, while only the funds are secured onchain. Popular examples include platforms like Polymarket (polymarket.com), which have seen massive growth by leveraging this hybrid model.
Next, he highlights new perpetuals (perps) DEXes, or decentralized exchanges for trading perpetual futures contracts. These allow traders to speculate on asset prices without expiration dates. Again, they're "almost entirely offchain with onchain deposits," enabling faster trades and lower fees compared to fully onchain alternatives. This setup reduces the bottlenecks often seen in blockchain networks, like high gas fees on Ethereum or congestion on Solana during peak times.
Centralized exchanges (CEXes) get a nod too, described as "mostly offchain." Giants like Binance or Coinbase handle the majority of their operations—matching orders, executing trades—on centralized servers, with blockchain used primarily for deposits and withdrawals. This offchain dominance allows for seamless user experiences and massive scalability, which is why they still command a huge share of crypto trading volume.
Finally, stablecoins are called out for getting their yield from offchain assets. Stablecoins like USDT or USDC maintain their peg to fiat currencies and often generate yields through investments in traditional finance instruments, such as U.S. Treasury bonds. This offchain yield farming is what makes them attractive for holders seeking stability with passive income.
But what does this mean for meme tokens, the chaotic, community-driven darlings of the crypto world? Meme coins like Dogecoin or newer Solana-based ones such as $PUmp or $BANANA are typically fully onchain, relying on decentralized launches via platforms like Pump.fun (pump.fun). They thrive on viral marketing, community hype, and onchain trading. However, Mert's perspective suggests that to truly monetize, incorporating offchain elements could be key. For instance, meme projects often build offchain communities on Discord or Telegram for coordination, or use offchain tools for marketing and analytics.
This tweet has elicited a range of responses, from agreements emphasizing the efficiency of hybrid models to counterpoints defending pure onchain purity. One reply humorously ties it back to meme coins: "That's why you stay in memecoins - All onchain - No promises - Scales with community $APU." It highlights the appeal of memes' decentralized ethos, even if it might not always lead to the biggest profits.
As we at Meme Insider continue to track the latest in meme token trends, Mert's insight reminds us that while onchain innovation is the heart of blockchain, offchain strategies often provide the muscle for real-world scalability and earnings. Whether you're a meme trader or a DeFi degens, balancing both could be the path to success. Stay tuned for more breakdowns on how these dynamics play out in the ever-evolving crypto space.