In recent years, the Memecoin market has rapidly expanded across the globe, with distinct ecosystems emerging in the United States, China, South Korea, and Europe. In each of these markets, key opinion leaders (KOLs) play a pivotal role in shaping community engagement, market sentiment, and trading trends.
This article focuses on six major markets—United States, China, South Korea, Europe, Japan, and Russia—identifying their most representative Memecoin KOLs and analyzing their trading activity, communication methods, and community influence. By studying the characteristics of KOLs in each market, we aim to better understand the global propagation logic and trading patterns of Memecoins.
Compare the development of Memecoin in different regions——Compare its trading volume, regulatory policies, KOL influence, etc.
Screen representative KOLs from various regions——Select the most influential KOLs in the Memecoin market in the United States, China, South Korea and Europe. And study the voice, communication methods and audience preferences of KOLs in different regions in the market to find out the market differences.
Summarize the characteristics of active KOLs in the community——Analyze the social media strategies, community interaction methods of these KOLs and their impact on transaction trends, thereby providing a reference for projects that want to enter the corresponding market.
In the global crypto market, Memecoin, as a unique crypto ecosystem, shows great regional differences due to its community-driven nature, cultural influence and market speculation. This report selectedChina, the United States, Europe, South Korea and Japan, Russia As the main analysis object, the reasons are as follows:
USA:As a global cryptocurrency exchangecore area, which has long dominated Memecoin’s liquidity and trading volume. Many well-known Memecoins (such as $DOGE, $SHIB) originated from the United States and have formed a huge ecosystem around the world.
China:havehuge investorBasic and highly active community, user enthusiasm for trading Memecoin through DeFi and CEX remains high despite regulatory restrictions. The Chinese market is highly speculative, which often drives short-term market trends and even spawns Meme tokens with local characteristics.
South Korea:always beenThe most active in the worldOne of the cryptocurrency markets, especially outstanding in short-term trading and community operations. Korean investors are prone to high-frequency trading and FOMO mentality, causing local Memecoin to often experience extreme market prices in a short period of time. In addition, South Korea’s K-Pop culture also provides rich creative sources for Memecoin narratives.
Europe:Compared with the more speculative Asian markets, European users are more inclined to cultural identity and long-term value investment. Many local Memecoins combine political satire, social movements and other elements to formunique market style。
Japan:The Memecoin market is significantly influenced by ACG (animation, comics, games) culture and the two-dimensional brand effect. The project content is mostly based on anime characters, Internet memes, and VTubers, forming a local Meme model that is different from other countries.
Russia:Affected by international sanctions and the local social environment, the Russian Memecoin market is distinctly closed and speculative. High inflation and the depreciation of the ruble have driven the demand for safe havens. Cryptocurrencies have become an alternative investment tool for speculation and hedging asset shrinkage.
Though both Memecoins and traditional crypto projects (such as layer-1 blockchains, DeFi protocols, and DApps) belong to the broader cryptocurrency domain, they differ significantly in terms of core value proposition, driving forces, and how the market perceives and reacts to them.
Comparing Memecoin with traditional crypto projects
The development of Memecoins across different regions is deeply influenced by local culture, regulations, and market preferences, resulting in substantial variation:
Comparison of market characteristics across regions
USA: The U.S. has a vast base of crypto investors, including both institutions and retail traders. While institutions tend to favor mainstream assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), retail investors—especially younger generations—show a strong affinity for Memecoins.
China: Despite strict government regulations leading to the shutdown of local exchanges, Chinese investors actively participate in Memecoin trading via OTC desks and offshore platforms. The appetite for high-risk, high-return assets remains strong, fueling speculative momentum and occasional local Meme narratives.
South Korea: According to South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU), over 6 million citizens—more than 10% of the population—participate in crypto. Centralized exchanges, particularly Upbit (with ~80% market share), dominate the trading landscape. Korean investors exhibit a preference for high-potential altcoins and accept the associated risks, contributing to the high ratio of speculative trades.
Europe: While regulatory frameworks remain relatively relaxed, European investors favor conservative investment strategies and tend to focus on blue-chip crypto assets. Memecoins are present but occupy a smaller market share. However, projects with political or cultural narratives do find resonance in certain communities.
Japan:Thanks to the influence of anime and gaming culture (ACG), Japanese users are particularly receptive to anime-themed tokens. Overall trading activity is moderate, with regulatory bodies requiring all exchanges to be licensed. Community discussions are most active on platforms like 5ch and X (formerly Twitter).
Russia: Faced with international sanctions, Russia has cultivated an active DEX and P2P trading environment. Telegram-based communities are highly speculative in nature, though their engagement tends to be short-lived. Occasionally, politically-themed Memecoins surface, reflecting socio-political narratives in the crypto space.
Top Narratives: Trump & Musk: The core of the U.S. memecoin ecosystem revolves around two influential figures—Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Traders closely monitor their social media activity, analyzing profile pictures, bios, retweets, and tweet content for potential narrative cues to fuel new memecoin hype. Even small gestures, such as a change in Musk’s avatar or a campaign statement from Trump, can spark the creation of a new meme token. For instance, Trump’s former X bio stated “45th President of America.” When he announced his re-election bid, many speculated he would change it to “45th & 47th President of America,” which led to the creation of tokens like $47 and $4547 on the Solana chain.
Secondary Narratives from Political, Economic, and Social Events: The second tier of narratives includes influential figures from politics, technology, and beyond—such as Gabe Newell (founder of Steam) and Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum co-founder). U.S. memecoins are also closely tied to events and public sentiment. For example, Trump’s promise to pardon Ross Ulbricht (founder of Silk Road) triggered a rally in $FreeRoss. When Trump claimed he would release the “Lolita Island” list, related tokens also became speculation targets. In terms of social news, Luigi’s trial hype caused the $LUIGI token to surge, making it one of the top “celebrity coins.”
Narratives of Positivity and Resilience: Many U.S.-born memecoins carry emotionally charged, universally resonant narratives. For instance, when Trump was attacked and shouted “FIGHT,” it inspired the memecoin $FIGHT—symbolizing an indomitable spirit. $FAFO (short for “Fuck Around and Find Out”) emerged as a satire of systemic inefficiency and corruption in U.S. politics. Meanwhile, $PNUT, symbolized by a squirrel, represents justice and perseverance in both religious and Western cultural contexts.
Community-Driven and Long-Term Holding: Unlike some other regions, U.S. memecoin investors tend to focus on long-term community building rather than short-term speculation. Tokens like $FAFO, rooted in Trump’s political stances, have grown robust communities with committed “diamond hand” holders. This narrative-driven consensus, sustained by strong communities, gives U.S. memecoins greater longevity and influence.
Mainstream Narratives Follow Western Trends, Lacking Local Identity
The Chinese memecoin market largely follows Western trends, with investors favoring narratives already popular overseas. However, cultural disconnects hinder engagement with some Western memes. For example, although $PEPE exploded in the West, its early development received minimal participation from Chinese traders due to cultural and language barriers—many simply didn’t “get the joke.” Furthermore, since crypto news flows primarily in English, Chinese retail investors often struggle to obtain timely information, resulting in delayed market entry. Most memecoins also use English names, making it difficult for local narratives to gain global traction, further limiting the development of domestic memecoin projects.
Weaker Local Ecosystem, Short-Lived Hype Cycles
While localized memecoins do exist in China, they often rely on short-term buzz and lack sustainable storytelling, leading to short lifespans. For instance, during a Spring Festival Gala comedy skit, actor Shen Teng mentioned $DogeKing—coincidentally the name of a token already listed on a CEX—prompting a brief market rally. Since then, Spring Festival-related memecoins have emerged annually as traders seek angles based on gala content. Some cultural IPs like Nezha, when released in North America, inspired tokens such as $NEZHA and $AOBING, attracting short-term attention. Early Chinese Ponzi-style token projects also had meme attributes, but due to regulatory crackdowns—like the Pangu coin being classified as a scam—they eventually vanished.
Focus on AI and Tech Themes
Chinese investors show strong interest in AI and technology-themed memecoins, often aligning with broader tech trends. Local tokens like DeepSeek or AI Goku, developed by institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, once sparked a wave of similarly named memecoins. Unlike official overseas AI platforms that often launch tokens via TGE and list on exchanges—thus adding credibility—many Chinese AI memecoins are highly speculative. Investors should exercise caution to avoid falling into short-term pump-and-dump traps.
High-Risk Appetite
Korean society’s rigid class structure fuels a collective drive for wealth accumulation through high-risk, high-reward investments. Young investors in their 20s and 30s often favor venture capital-style opportunities, with memecoin trading among their top picks. The Korean memecoin market is fast-paced and highly volatile, driven by intense community enthusiasm, but profits must be seized in narrow windows. The trading style leans toward short-term speculation rather than long-term value.
Strong Ties to Pop Culture
Korean traders often blend K-pop, drama, and internet meme culture to fuel memecoin trends. Earlier this year, the film Crypto Man, loosely based on the LUNA crash, featured a fictional token called $MOMMY. This inspired real-life trading hype, pushing $MOMMY’s market cap to $5 million at its peak. Another instance involved rumors that Squid Game Season 2 would feature a crypto token, prompting a memecoin frenzy. Such narratives usually rely on information asymmetry and short-lived “get-rich-quick” effects, but often collapse quickly—leaving latecomers holding the bag.
Extreme Volatility and High Turnover
Due to Korea’s speculative style, memecoin turnover is significantly higher than in the West. Rapid capital movement causes extreme price fluctuations. Trading volume is highly correlated with social media activity, especially on Telegram, Twitter, Naver Café, and KakaoTalk, where users constantly share strategies and market sentiment. If a meme topic goes viral, its token’s volume can spike within hours. Conversely, once attention fades, volume vanishes and the project sinks into obscurity..
Narratives Driven by Social Issues and Political Satire
European memecoin culture often incorporates elements of political humor and social commentary. Projects tend to embed irony and critical reflections on political figures, ideologies, or economic conditions. For instance, during the European energy crisis, tokens like $GAS and $OIL became hot topics on-chain, with narratives poking fun at policy mishandling or energy dependency. Similarly, tokens like $MERKEL or $MACRON once sparked short-lived rallies during key EU summits. While such coins are often short-lived, they demonstrate Europeans’ unique preference for meme narratives with political depth and sarcastic undertones.
Fragmented Language and Market Differences
Unlike more unified markets like the U.S. or South Korea, the European memecoin ecosystem is fragmented due to language diversity and cultural nuance. A meme that resonates in France might not translate well in Germany or Spain. This leads to local communities preferring their own small-scale memecoin projects, but rarely achieving cross-border virality. European traders often participate in international memes (like $PEPE or $DOGE), but local memecoins tend to stay confined within national boundaries.
Growing Influence of Artists and Visual Design
European memecoins often prioritize aesthetics, visual quality, and cultural expression. A growing number of European NFT artists and indie designers are participating in memecoin branding, contributing original artwork and lore. For example, memecoins on chains like Arbitrum and Base that feature hand-drawn avatars or vintage aesthetics tend to attract more European attention. The narrative is not just about humor or hype, but about creating an expressive, even subversive identity. This artistic infusion gives European meme culture a distinct flavor—less about pure speculation and more about storytelling and visual resonance.
Otaku Culture and Niche Symbolism
Japanese memecoins are deeply intertwined with otaku culture—anime, gaming, idols, and internet folklore are all common inspirations. For example, the token $SAKURA, symbolizing cherry blossoms, is tied to both seasonal imagery and traditional aesthetics. Another example, $NEET (referring to “Not in Education, Employment, or Training”), reflects a specific internet subculture in Japan, resonating with local users through its self-deprecating and community-driven style.
Strong Emphasis on Aesthetics and Emotional Identity
Many Japanese memecoins emphasize visual style and emotional resonance. Memes are carefully designed to evoke feelings like nostalgia, cuteness (kawaii), or philosophical detachment. Tokens like $SHINZO (meaning “heart”) or $YUME (meaning “dream”) use poetic naming and soft-color palettes, attracting users seeking emotional or spiritual connection, rather than just profit. This stands in stark contrast to the more aggressive, irony-driven memes of the West.
Community Culture of Collecting and Holding
Japanese communities tend to value collection and long-term ownership. Instead of chasing rapid gains, many investors treat memecoins as digital collectibles, similar to rare trading cards or gacha items. Forums like 5ch and platforms like LINE play a central role in sharing coin lore and organizing holders. Projects that tap into nostalgic IPs, such as old anime series or retro gaming references, often gather dedicated communities willing to hold regardless of price volatility.
Barriers to International Influence
Despite a rich cultural base, Japanese memecoins rarely break into the global market. Language barriers and region-specific humor make international traction difficult. Moreover, Japan’s stricter financial regulations around crypto limit listings and exposure. While a few tokens like $INU-based themes have achieved modest overseas visibility, most Japanese meme tokens remain domestically focused, thriving in tight-knit, culturally specific circles.
A Fusion of Trends, Humor, and Community
Southeast Asia’s memecoin market reflects a blend of Western meme culture and local creativity. With high internet penetration, widespread use of mobile apps, and vibrant online communities, countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia have developed grassroots meme ecosystems. These often mix Western internet humor (like rage faces or Wojak) with local slang, politics, or pop culture references. For example, $NASI (referring to rice in Bahasa) or $TRABAJO (meaning “work” in Tagalog) emerge as tokens that parody daily life, labor issues, or food culture, connecting with everyday emotional realities.
KOL-Driven Ecosystem and Telegram Virality
Influencers (KOLs) play a central role in Southeast Asia’s memecoin scene. From Twitter to Telegram and TikTok, local KOLs often launch or promote meme tokens directly, sometimes in tight coordination with developer teams. Their reach and credibility drive rapid retail participation. Popular Telegram groups often turn into memecoin launchpads, where narratives form and circulate within hours. While some of these tokens are pump-and-dump in nature, others manage to build small, persistent communities.
Language Hybridization and Meme Accessibility
Memes in Southeast Asia often feature a hybrid of English and local languages (Taglish, Singlish, etc.), enhancing accessibility and relatability. This allows memecoins to reach both domestic and regional audiences, sometimes even attracting international meme hunters due to the exotic appeal. Memes are often highly visual—GIFs, sticker packs, and emoji chains are common in group chats and marketing.
Religious and Cultural Sensitivities
Compared to Western meme cultures, Southeast Asia’s meme communities tend to avoid explicit content or overly dark humor, given the region’s stronger religious and family values. Memecoins that stay respectful while still being fun, such as those themed around animals, street food, or everyday frustrations, are more likely to go viral. Projects that cross certain cultural lines (e.g., mocking religion or political authority) can quickly backfire, losing community support.
Emerging Bridges with GameFi and Community DAOs
Some Southeast Asian memecoins are evolving beyond pure speculation, bridging into GameFi or DAO-like structures. For instance, $DURIAN (based on the infamous fruit) launched a community-governed game prototype, while $SATE (an Indonesian food meme) integrated with a staking DApp. These projects showcase an emerging trend—memecoins acting as a gateway to deeper crypto participation among retail users. This hybridization of culture, community, and utility is giving the region’s meme market unique developmental potential.
Representative KOL in the West — Murad @MustStopMurad
Murad’s Insights on Memecoins:
Memecoins have long been dismissed as low-value “shitcoins” due to their lack of technical backing and real-world applications, often driven instead by market sentiment and community consensus. However, Murad assigns deeper meaning to the memecoin narrative. He believes a good memecoin serves functions such as fun, reducing loneliness, creating identity and emotional resonance, instilling a sense of mission and meaning, and ultimately bringing entertainment and happiness.
Murad’s insights on Memecoin
Murad’s Criteria for Selecting Memecoins:
Market capitalization range:Focus on mid-cap coins with market caps between $5 million and $200 million.
Murad’s Criteria for Selecting Memecoins:
Murad’s Recent Investment Performance:
About four months ago, Murad bought 10.25 million $SPX tokens for around $98,000. The value has since surged to approximately $7.89 million, yielding a 7,900% return. However, his crypto portfolio recently dropped by around 45% in two weeks, incurring a net loss of about $11.1 million, mainly due to $SPX dropping from $0.72 to $0.40.
Characteristics of Western Memecoin KOLs:
Representative KOL in China — 0xWizard @0xcryptowizard
0xWizard’s View on the Memecoin Narrative:
0xWizard believes that the fusion of AI and memecoins represents the next wave in crypto. He argues that memecoins aren’t just about hype—they embody community resonance, emotional connection, and a shared sense of purpose. He views projects like $ACT, $GOAT, and $BMT as part of an “AI Renaissance,” where AI evolves from a mere assistant into a free-spirited, autonomous being.
0xWizard’s Memecoin Selection Criteria:
Influence of 0xWizard:
Wizard’s pinned tweet is a memecoin tutorial, helping onboard beginners and broadening his reach. Unlike typical high-frequency shillers, he shares in-depth industry insights, attracting both meme investors and Web3 professionals. After successfully launching $ACT and $GOAT, his reputation skyrocketed. His early-stage entry, community marketing, and accurate calls helped get both tokens listed on exchanges. These wins boosted his credibility and solidified his brand. In the Chinese crypto scene, Wizard stands out for blending sharp market calls with strong community branding.
Characteristics of Chinese Memecoin KOLs:
Many Chinese KOLs partner with trading bots (e.g., GMGN, PEPE, UniversalX, PinkPig) or CEXs (Binance, Bybit, OKX) to earn commissions through referrals.
Their strategy is more revenue- and growth-driven, with a focus on short-term returns via airdrops, trading incentives, and user acquisition.
Highly traffic-driven, aiming to capture fast-moving trends instead of long-term project support.
Frequently post contract addresses (CAs) of multiple tokens, optimizing for Twitter’s algorithm.
Use tags like #Token or $Token to enter trending traffic pools and rapidly gain followers.
Telegram and WeChat groups are highly active. Unlike Western “silent” groups, Chinese groups encourage open discussion.
Chats cover trades, gossip, fund flows, and daily life, fostering emotional stickiness.
The structure is often pyramid-like:
Summary of KOL Characteristics in South Korea
Small population base, widespread distribution of KOL content: Due to South Korea’s relatively small population base, KOLs in the cryptocurrency space have not formed clear niche divisions like those in Europe, the United States, or China. Most KOLs have a broad content coverage, typically posting a combination of airdrops, industry news, BTC market trends, secondary market research, on-chain hot topics, and macroeconomic assessments on a single account. This “casting a wide net” content strategy attracts audiences of varying levels and reflects the relatively concentrated yet diverse demand within the South Korean market.
Lack of niche KOLs focusing on Memecoins: Unlike in Europe, the United States, or the Chinese-speaking world, South Korea has not yet seen the rise of leading KOLs specializing in the Memecoin space. While some KOLs may mention Memecoin-related projects, they do not delve into them in-depth, follow them long-term, or establish dedicated Memecoin communities.
Multi-platform operations — Telegram, YouTube, Instagram: South Korean KOLs are not limited to a single platform but enhance their exposure and influence through multi-platform content management. For instance, on YouTube, KOLs mainly post market analysis videos, often featuring candlestick charts and strong visual elements, which are highly click-inducing. Instagram, as a supplementary platform, is commonly used to post trading screenshots, summaries of opinions, and event previews, focusing on lighter content. Many South Korean KOLs improve content recognition and professionalism by using a unified cover design style and a brand visual identity system, gradually building their own brand image.
Korean Crypto YouTuber’s page
Representative KOL in Japan — LUCIAN | るしあん @lucianlampdefi
Also known as — Lucian | @lucianlampdefi
LUCIAN’S X PAGES
Characteristics of the Russian crypto community:
From the United States, South Korea, Japan, and China to Russia, the Memecoin markets in different countries and regions exhibit distinct cultural traits. Local narratives and trading logic are always key factors in determining whether a Memecoin can break through quickly and continue to pump. For project teams, understanding local community culture, communication channels, and trending narratives is essential to developing targeted marketing and community strategies when entering different regional markets.
In the future, Memecoins will no longer be mere speculative products, but digital assets that combine entertainment, cultural identity, and community consensus. JE Labs will continue to monitor global Memecoin ecosystem changes and support more projects in achieving breakout growth in both Asian and global markets.
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In recent years, the Memecoin market has rapidly expanded across the globe, with distinct ecosystems emerging in the United States, China, South Korea, and Europe. In each of these markets, key opinion leaders (KOLs) play a pivotal role in shaping community engagement, market sentiment, and trading trends.
This article focuses on six major markets—United States, China, South Korea, Europe, Japan, and Russia—identifying their most representative Memecoin KOLs and analyzing their trading activity, communication methods, and community influence. By studying the characteristics of KOLs in each market, we aim to better understand the global propagation logic and trading patterns of Memecoins.
Compare the development of Memecoin in different regions——Compare its trading volume, regulatory policies, KOL influence, etc.
Screen representative KOLs from various regions——Select the most influential KOLs in the Memecoin market in the United States, China, South Korea and Europe. And study the voice, communication methods and audience preferences of KOLs in different regions in the market to find out the market differences.
Summarize the characteristics of active KOLs in the community——Analyze the social media strategies, community interaction methods of these KOLs and their impact on transaction trends, thereby providing a reference for projects that want to enter the corresponding market.
In the global crypto market, Memecoin, as a unique crypto ecosystem, shows great regional differences due to its community-driven nature, cultural influence and market speculation. This report selectedChina, the United States, Europe, South Korea and Japan, Russia As the main analysis object, the reasons are as follows:
USA:As a global cryptocurrency exchangecore area, which has long dominated Memecoin’s liquidity and trading volume. Many well-known Memecoins (such as $DOGE, $SHIB) originated from the United States and have formed a huge ecosystem around the world.
China:havehuge investorBasic and highly active community, user enthusiasm for trading Memecoin through DeFi and CEX remains high despite regulatory restrictions. The Chinese market is highly speculative, which often drives short-term market trends and even spawns Meme tokens with local characteristics.
South Korea:always beenThe most active in the worldOne of the cryptocurrency markets, especially outstanding in short-term trading and community operations. Korean investors are prone to high-frequency trading and FOMO mentality, causing local Memecoin to often experience extreme market prices in a short period of time. In addition, South Korea’s K-Pop culture also provides rich creative sources for Memecoin narratives.
Europe:Compared with the more speculative Asian markets, European users are more inclined to cultural identity and long-term value investment. Many local Memecoins combine political satire, social movements and other elements to formunique market style。
Japan:The Memecoin market is significantly influenced by ACG (animation, comics, games) culture and the two-dimensional brand effect. The project content is mostly based on anime characters, Internet memes, and VTubers, forming a local Meme model that is different from other countries.
Russia:Affected by international sanctions and the local social environment, the Russian Memecoin market is distinctly closed and speculative. High inflation and the depreciation of the ruble have driven the demand for safe havens. Cryptocurrencies have become an alternative investment tool for speculation and hedging asset shrinkage.
Though both Memecoins and traditional crypto projects (such as layer-1 blockchains, DeFi protocols, and DApps) belong to the broader cryptocurrency domain, they differ significantly in terms of core value proposition, driving forces, and how the market perceives and reacts to them.
Comparing Memecoin with traditional crypto projects
The development of Memecoins across different regions is deeply influenced by local culture, regulations, and market preferences, resulting in substantial variation:
Comparison of market characteristics across regions
USA: The U.S. has a vast base of crypto investors, including both institutions and retail traders. While institutions tend to favor mainstream assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), retail investors—especially younger generations—show a strong affinity for Memecoins.
China: Despite strict government regulations leading to the shutdown of local exchanges, Chinese investors actively participate in Memecoin trading via OTC desks and offshore platforms. The appetite for high-risk, high-return assets remains strong, fueling speculative momentum and occasional local Meme narratives.
South Korea: According to South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU), over 6 million citizens—more than 10% of the population—participate in crypto. Centralized exchanges, particularly Upbit (with ~80% market share), dominate the trading landscape. Korean investors exhibit a preference for high-potential altcoins and accept the associated risks, contributing to the high ratio of speculative trades.
Europe: While regulatory frameworks remain relatively relaxed, European investors favor conservative investment strategies and tend to focus on blue-chip crypto assets. Memecoins are present but occupy a smaller market share. However, projects with political or cultural narratives do find resonance in certain communities.
Japan:Thanks to the influence of anime and gaming culture (ACG), Japanese users are particularly receptive to anime-themed tokens. Overall trading activity is moderate, with regulatory bodies requiring all exchanges to be licensed. Community discussions are most active on platforms like 5ch and X (formerly Twitter).
Russia: Faced with international sanctions, Russia has cultivated an active DEX and P2P trading environment. Telegram-based communities are highly speculative in nature, though their engagement tends to be short-lived. Occasionally, politically-themed Memecoins surface, reflecting socio-political narratives in the crypto space.
Top Narratives: Trump & Musk: The core of the U.S. memecoin ecosystem revolves around two influential figures—Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Traders closely monitor their social media activity, analyzing profile pictures, bios, retweets, and tweet content for potential narrative cues to fuel new memecoin hype. Even small gestures, such as a change in Musk’s avatar or a campaign statement from Trump, can spark the creation of a new meme token. For instance, Trump’s former X bio stated “45th President of America.” When he announced his re-election bid, many speculated he would change it to “45th & 47th President of America,” which led to the creation of tokens like $47 and $4547 on the Solana chain.
Secondary Narratives from Political, Economic, and Social Events: The second tier of narratives includes influential figures from politics, technology, and beyond—such as Gabe Newell (founder of Steam) and Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum co-founder). U.S. memecoins are also closely tied to events and public sentiment. For example, Trump’s promise to pardon Ross Ulbricht (founder of Silk Road) triggered a rally in $FreeRoss. When Trump claimed he would release the “Lolita Island” list, related tokens also became speculation targets. In terms of social news, Luigi’s trial hype caused the $LUIGI token to surge, making it one of the top “celebrity coins.”
Narratives of Positivity and Resilience: Many U.S.-born memecoins carry emotionally charged, universally resonant narratives. For instance, when Trump was attacked and shouted “FIGHT,” it inspired the memecoin $FIGHT—symbolizing an indomitable spirit. $FAFO (short for “Fuck Around and Find Out”) emerged as a satire of systemic inefficiency and corruption in U.S. politics. Meanwhile, $PNUT, symbolized by a squirrel, represents justice and perseverance in both religious and Western cultural contexts.
Community-Driven and Long-Term Holding: Unlike some other regions, U.S. memecoin investors tend to focus on long-term community building rather than short-term speculation. Tokens like $FAFO, rooted in Trump’s political stances, have grown robust communities with committed “diamond hand” holders. This narrative-driven consensus, sustained by strong communities, gives U.S. memecoins greater longevity and influence.
Mainstream Narratives Follow Western Trends, Lacking Local Identity
The Chinese memecoin market largely follows Western trends, with investors favoring narratives already popular overseas. However, cultural disconnects hinder engagement with some Western memes. For example, although $PEPE exploded in the West, its early development received minimal participation from Chinese traders due to cultural and language barriers—many simply didn’t “get the joke.” Furthermore, since crypto news flows primarily in English, Chinese retail investors often struggle to obtain timely information, resulting in delayed market entry. Most memecoins also use English names, making it difficult for local narratives to gain global traction, further limiting the development of domestic memecoin projects.
Weaker Local Ecosystem, Short-Lived Hype Cycles
While localized memecoins do exist in China, they often rely on short-term buzz and lack sustainable storytelling, leading to short lifespans. For instance, during a Spring Festival Gala comedy skit, actor Shen Teng mentioned $DogeKing—coincidentally the name of a token already listed on a CEX—prompting a brief market rally. Since then, Spring Festival-related memecoins have emerged annually as traders seek angles based on gala content. Some cultural IPs like Nezha, when released in North America, inspired tokens such as $NEZHA and $AOBING, attracting short-term attention. Early Chinese Ponzi-style token projects also had meme attributes, but due to regulatory crackdowns—like the Pangu coin being classified as a scam—they eventually vanished.
Focus on AI and Tech Themes
Chinese investors show strong interest in AI and technology-themed memecoins, often aligning with broader tech trends. Local tokens like DeepSeek or AI Goku, developed by institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, once sparked a wave of similarly named memecoins. Unlike official overseas AI platforms that often launch tokens via TGE and list on exchanges—thus adding credibility—many Chinese AI memecoins are highly speculative. Investors should exercise caution to avoid falling into short-term pump-and-dump traps.
High-Risk Appetite
Korean society’s rigid class structure fuels a collective drive for wealth accumulation through high-risk, high-reward investments. Young investors in their 20s and 30s often favor venture capital-style opportunities, with memecoin trading among their top picks. The Korean memecoin market is fast-paced and highly volatile, driven by intense community enthusiasm, but profits must be seized in narrow windows. The trading style leans toward short-term speculation rather than long-term value.
Strong Ties to Pop Culture
Korean traders often blend K-pop, drama, and internet meme culture to fuel memecoin trends. Earlier this year, the film Crypto Man, loosely based on the LUNA crash, featured a fictional token called $MOMMY. This inspired real-life trading hype, pushing $MOMMY’s market cap to $5 million at its peak. Another instance involved rumors that Squid Game Season 2 would feature a crypto token, prompting a memecoin frenzy. Such narratives usually rely on information asymmetry and short-lived “get-rich-quick” effects, but often collapse quickly—leaving latecomers holding the bag.
Extreme Volatility and High Turnover
Due to Korea’s speculative style, memecoin turnover is significantly higher than in the West. Rapid capital movement causes extreme price fluctuations. Trading volume is highly correlated with social media activity, especially on Telegram, Twitter, Naver Café, and KakaoTalk, where users constantly share strategies and market sentiment. If a meme topic goes viral, its token’s volume can spike within hours. Conversely, once attention fades, volume vanishes and the project sinks into obscurity..
Narratives Driven by Social Issues and Political Satire
European memecoin culture often incorporates elements of political humor and social commentary. Projects tend to embed irony and critical reflections on political figures, ideologies, or economic conditions. For instance, during the European energy crisis, tokens like $GAS and $OIL became hot topics on-chain, with narratives poking fun at policy mishandling or energy dependency. Similarly, tokens like $MERKEL or $MACRON once sparked short-lived rallies during key EU summits. While such coins are often short-lived, they demonstrate Europeans’ unique preference for meme narratives with political depth and sarcastic undertones.
Fragmented Language and Market Differences
Unlike more unified markets like the U.S. or South Korea, the European memecoin ecosystem is fragmented due to language diversity and cultural nuance. A meme that resonates in France might not translate well in Germany or Spain. This leads to local communities preferring their own small-scale memecoin projects, but rarely achieving cross-border virality. European traders often participate in international memes (like $PEPE or $DOGE), but local memecoins tend to stay confined within national boundaries.
Growing Influence of Artists and Visual Design
European memecoins often prioritize aesthetics, visual quality, and cultural expression. A growing number of European NFT artists and indie designers are participating in memecoin branding, contributing original artwork and lore. For example, memecoins on chains like Arbitrum and Base that feature hand-drawn avatars or vintage aesthetics tend to attract more European attention. The narrative is not just about humor or hype, but about creating an expressive, even subversive identity. This artistic infusion gives European meme culture a distinct flavor—less about pure speculation and more about storytelling and visual resonance.
Otaku Culture and Niche Symbolism
Japanese memecoins are deeply intertwined with otaku culture—anime, gaming, idols, and internet folklore are all common inspirations. For example, the token $SAKURA, symbolizing cherry blossoms, is tied to both seasonal imagery and traditional aesthetics. Another example, $NEET (referring to “Not in Education, Employment, or Training”), reflects a specific internet subculture in Japan, resonating with local users through its self-deprecating and community-driven style.
Strong Emphasis on Aesthetics and Emotional Identity
Many Japanese memecoins emphasize visual style and emotional resonance. Memes are carefully designed to evoke feelings like nostalgia, cuteness (kawaii), or philosophical detachment. Tokens like $SHINZO (meaning “heart”) or $YUME (meaning “dream”) use poetic naming and soft-color palettes, attracting users seeking emotional or spiritual connection, rather than just profit. This stands in stark contrast to the more aggressive, irony-driven memes of the West.
Community Culture of Collecting and Holding
Japanese communities tend to value collection and long-term ownership. Instead of chasing rapid gains, many investors treat memecoins as digital collectibles, similar to rare trading cards or gacha items. Forums like 5ch and platforms like LINE play a central role in sharing coin lore and organizing holders. Projects that tap into nostalgic IPs, such as old anime series or retro gaming references, often gather dedicated communities willing to hold regardless of price volatility.
Barriers to International Influence
Despite a rich cultural base, Japanese memecoins rarely break into the global market. Language barriers and region-specific humor make international traction difficult. Moreover, Japan’s stricter financial regulations around crypto limit listings and exposure. While a few tokens like $INU-based themes have achieved modest overseas visibility, most Japanese meme tokens remain domestically focused, thriving in tight-knit, culturally specific circles.
A Fusion of Trends, Humor, and Community
Southeast Asia’s memecoin market reflects a blend of Western meme culture and local creativity. With high internet penetration, widespread use of mobile apps, and vibrant online communities, countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia have developed grassroots meme ecosystems. These often mix Western internet humor (like rage faces or Wojak) with local slang, politics, or pop culture references. For example, $NASI (referring to rice in Bahasa) or $TRABAJO (meaning “work” in Tagalog) emerge as tokens that parody daily life, labor issues, or food culture, connecting with everyday emotional realities.
KOL-Driven Ecosystem and Telegram Virality
Influencers (KOLs) play a central role in Southeast Asia’s memecoin scene. From Twitter to Telegram and TikTok, local KOLs often launch or promote meme tokens directly, sometimes in tight coordination with developer teams. Their reach and credibility drive rapid retail participation. Popular Telegram groups often turn into memecoin launchpads, where narratives form and circulate within hours. While some of these tokens are pump-and-dump in nature, others manage to build small, persistent communities.
Language Hybridization and Meme Accessibility
Memes in Southeast Asia often feature a hybrid of English and local languages (Taglish, Singlish, etc.), enhancing accessibility and relatability. This allows memecoins to reach both domestic and regional audiences, sometimes even attracting international meme hunters due to the exotic appeal. Memes are often highly visual—GIFs, sticker packs, and emoji chains are common in group chats and marketing.
Religious and Cultural Sensitivities
Compared to Western meme cultures, Southeast Asia’s meme communities tend to avoid explicit content or overly dark humor, given the region’s stronger religious and family values. Memecoins that stay respectful while still being fun, such as those themed around animals, street food, or everyday frustrations, are more likely to go viral. Projects that cross certain cultural lines (e.g., mocking religion or political authority) can quickly backfire, losing community support.
Emerging Bridges with GameFi and Community DAOs
Some Southeast Asian memecoins are evolving beyond pure speculation, bridging into GameFi or DAO-like structures. For instance, $DURIAN (based on the infamous fruit) launched a community-governed game prototype, while $SATE (an Indonesian food meme) integrated with a staking DApp. These projects showcase an emerging trend—memecoins acting as a gateway to deeper crypto participation among retail users. This hybridization of culture, community, and utility is giving the region’s meme market unique developmental potential.
Representative KOL in the West — Murad @MustStopMurad
Murad’s Insights on Memecoins:
Memecoins have long been dismissed as low-value “shitcoins” due to their lack of technical backing and real-world applications, often driven instead by market sentiment and community consensus. However, Murad assigns deeper meaning to the memecoin narrative. He believes a good memecoin serves functions such as fun, reducing loneliness, creating identity and emotional resonance, instilling a sense of mission and meaning, and ultimately bringing entertainment and happiness.
Murad’s insights on Memecoin
Murad’s Criteria for Selecting Memecoins:
Market capitalization range:Focus on mid-cap coins with market caps between $5 million and $200 million.
Murad’s Criteria for Selecting Memecoins:
Murad’s Recent Investment Performance:
About four months ago, Murad bought 10.25 million $SPX tokens for around $98,000. The value has since surged to approximately $7.89 million, yielding a 7,900% return. However, his crypto portfolio recently dropped by around 45% in two weeks, incurring a net loss of about $11.1 million, mainly due to $SPX dropping from $0.72 to $0.40.
Characteristics of Western Memecoin KOLs:
Representative KOL in China — 0xWizard @0xcryptowizard
0xWizard’s View on the Memecoin Narrative:
0xWizard believes that the fusion of AI and memecoins represents the next wave in crypto. He argues that memecoins aren’t just about hype—they embody community resonance, emotional connection, and a shared sense of purpose. He views projects like $ACT, $GOAT, and $BMT as part of an “AI Renaissance,” where AI evolves from a mere assistant into a free-spirited, autonomous being.
0xWizard’s Memecoin Selection Criteria:
Influence of 0xWizard:
Wizard’s pinned tweet is a memecoin tutorial, helping onboard beginners and broadening his reach. Unlike typical high-frequency shillers, he shares in-depth industry insights, attracting both meme investors and Web3 professionals. After successfully launching $ACT and $GOAT, his reputation skyrocketed. His early-stage entry, community marketing, and accurate calls helped get both tokens listed on exchanges. These wins boosted his credibility and solidified his brand. In the Chinese crypto scene, Wizard stands out for blending sharp market calls with strong community branding.
Characteristics of Chinese Memecoin KOLs:
Many Chinese KOLs partner with trading bots (e.g., GMGN, PEPE, UniversalX, PinkPig) or CEXs (Binance, Bybit, OKX) to earn commissions through referrals.
Their strategy is more revenue- and growth-driven, with a focus on short-term returns via airdrops, trading incentives, and user acquisition.
Highly traffic-driven, aiming to capture fast-moving trends instead of long-term project support.
Frequently post contract addresses (CAs) of multiple tokens, optimizing for Twitter’s algorithm.
Use tags like #Token or $Token to enter trending traffic pools and rapidly gain followers.
Telegram and WeChat groups are highly active. Unlike Western “silent” groups, Chinese groups encourage open discussion.
Chats cover trades, gossip, fund flows, and daily life, fostering emotional stickiness.
The structure is often pyramid-like:
Summary of KOL Characteristics in South Korea
Small population base, widespread distribution of KOL content: Due to South Korea’s relatively small population base, KOLs in the cryptocurrency space have not formed clear niche divisions like those in Europe, the United States, or China. Most KOLs have a broad content coverage, typically posting a combination of airdrops, industry news, BTC market trends, secondary market research, on-chain hot topics, and macroeconomic assessments on a single account. This “casting a wide net” content strategy attracts audiences of varying levels and reflects the relatively concentrated yet diverse demand within the South Korean market.
Lack of niche KOLs focusing on Memecoins: Unlike in Europe, the United States, or the Chinese-speaking world, South Korea has not yet seen the rise of leading KOLs specializing in the Memecoin space. While some KOLs may mention Memecoin-related projects, they do not delve into them in-depth, follow them long-term, or establish dedicated Memecoin communities.
Multi-platform operations — Telegram, YouTube, Instagram: South Korean KOLs are not limited to a single platform but enhance their exposure and influence through multi-platform content management. For instance, on YouTube, KOLs mainly post market analysis videos, often featuring candlestick charts and strong visual elements, which are highly click-inducing. Instagram, as a supplementary platform, is commonly used to post trading screenshots, summaries of opinions, and event previews, focusing on lighter content. Many South Korean KOLs improve content recognition and professionalism by using a unified cover design style and a brand visual identity system, gradually building their own brand image.
Korean Crypto YouTuber’s page
Representative KOL in Japan — LUCIAN | るしあん @lucianlampdefi
Also known as — Lucian | @lucianlampdefi
LUCIAN’S X PAGES
Characteristics of the Russian crypto community:
From the United States, South Korea, Japan, and China to Russia, the Memecoin markets in different countries and regions exhibit distinct cultural traits. Local narratives and trading logic are always key factors in determining whether a Memecoin can break through quickly and continue to pump. For project teams, understanding local community culture, communication channels, and trending narratives is essential to developing targeted marketing and community strategies when entering different regional markets.
In the future, Memecoins will no longer be mere speculative products, but digital assets that combine entertainment, cultural identity, and community consensus. JE Labs will continue to monitor global Memecoin ecosystem changes and support more projects in achieving breakout growth in both Asian and global markets.
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