Why Might Cult Meme Coins Outperform This Cycle?

What Are Meme Coins and “Cult” Meme Coins?

Meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by internet memes, jokes, or cultural trends, like Dogecoin (DOGE) or Shiba Inu (SHIB). Unlike Bitcoin, which aims to be a store of value, or Ethereum, which supports smart contracts, meme coins typically have no technical utility. Their value comes from community hype, social media buzz, and speculative trading.

“Cult” meme coins, as described by crypto analyst Murad Mahmudov, are a subset of meme coins with highly dedicated, passionate, and loyal communities. These communities act like “cults” in the sense that their members are deeply committed, often refusing to sell their tokens even during market dips, creating a “diamond hands” effect (holding through volatility). Examples include coins like SPX6900, Mog Coin (MOG), and Apu Apustaja (APU).

Why Might Cult Meme Coins Outperform This Cycle?

Murad Mahmudov, a former Goldman Sachs analyst and crypto influencer, argues that cult meme coins will dominate the 2024-2025 crypto bull cycle due to a combination of market dynamics, human psychology, and cultural trends. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons, explained simply:

1. Strong Communities Drive Value

What It Means: Cult meme coins succeed because their communities are passionate and work tirelessly to promote the coin. Unlike traditional projects where developers are paid to build tech, these communities create content, spread the word, and onboard new investors for free—what Murad calls “free cult labor.”
Why It Matters: A strong community creates a sense of belonging and loyalty, making holders less likely to sell. This reduces the supply of tokens on the market, driving up prices when demand increases. For example, Murad highlights coins like SPX6900, which grew from a $20 million market cap to over $600 million due to its dedicated community.
Beginner Takeaway: Think of it like a fan club for a band or sports team. The more passionate the fans, the more they’ll promote the coin, attracting new buyers and pushing the price higher.

2. Meme Coins Are Simple and Relatable

What It Means: Meme coins don’t require understanding complex tech like blockchain scaling or DeFi protocols. They’re based on familiar internet culture (e.g., memes like Pepe the Frog or Gigachad), which appeals to younger generations raised on social media.
Why It Matters: Newcomers to crypto, like you or your friend, find meme coins easier to grasp than technical projects. This simplicity attracts more people, especially younger investors, driving adoption. Murad notes that meme coins are “relatable, fun, and simple,” unlike tech-heavy altcoins.
Beginner Takeaway: Meme coins are like viral TikTok trends—easy to understand, fun to share, and they spread quickly because they’re entertaining.

3. Speculative Hype Fuels Big Gains

What It Means: Crypto markets often follow cycles tied to Bitcoin’s halving events (every 4 years), where a dominant trend emerges. In 2017, it was ICOs; in 2021, it was DeFi and NFTs. Murad predicts that meme coins, especially cult ones, will be the dominant trend in 2025 because they thrive on speculation and emotional investment rather than technical promises.
Why It Matters: Murad argues that most altcoins (non-Bitcoin cryptos) are overhyped with little real-world use, making them no different from meme coins but less fun. He estimates that 70% of a typical altcoin’s value comes from speculation, not utility. Meme coins embrace this openly, attracting retail investors tired of “utility” coins that fail to deliver.
Beginner Takeaway: People are betting on meme coins because they’re exciting and can skyrocket in price when the hype catches on, like a viral video going from 100 views to millions overnight.

4. Historical Patterns Support Meme Coin Rallies

What It Means: Murad points out that past crypto cycles saw certain assets surge in the final year of a bull run. For example, Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) had “pre-pumps” before massive gains in 2017 and 2021, respectively. He believes the meme coin rally in spring 2024 was just a “pre-pre-pump,” with bigger gains coming in 2025.
Why It Matters: The total market cap of meme coins is currently $41.7 billion, only 1.85% of the crypto market. Murad predicts this could grow to $1 trillion, as smaller meme coins (not just DOGE and SHIB) have room to explode.
Beginner Takeaway: History shows that certain cryptos take off at the end of a bull market. Meme coins could be next because they’re cheap and have huge growth potential.

5. Cultural and Emotional Appeal

What It Means: Murad calls meme coins “tokenized vessels of faith,” meaning they represent beliefs, identities, or lifestyles that people rally around. For example, GIGA Coin appeals to a “Gigachad” culture of self-improvement, while American Coin (USA) ties to patriotism.
Why It Matters: These coins tap into emotions like hope, belonging, or rebellion against mainstream finance. Murad believes this emotional connection creates “movement coins” that could evolve into global ideologies, outlasting short-lived fads.
Beginner Takeaway: People don’t just buy these coins for money—they buy into a vibe or idea, like joining a movement or fanbase, which makes them stick around longer.

6. Murad’s Track Record and Influence

What It Means: Murad, a former Bitcoin maximalist, gained fame after his TOKEN2049 speech on the “meme coin supercycle,” which went viral with 1.76 million views. His picks, like SPX6900, APU, and MINI, have seen significant gains, boosting his credibility.
Why It Matters: When influential figures like Murad promote coins, it attracts attention from retail investors and even institutional VCs, driving prices higher. His focus on coins with market caps between $5 million and $200 million suggests they have room to grow.
Beginner Takeaway: Murad’s predictions act like a megaphone, getting more people excited about certain meme coins, which can make their prices go up.

Risks to Understand

While Murad’s thesis is compelling, it’s important to highlight risks for a crypto newbie:

Volatility: Meme coins can crash as fast as they rise. Murad warns that 99% of meme coins are scams or will fail.
Manipulation: Some critics argue that meme coin success can stem from market manipulation by influencers or small groups, not just organic community growth.
No Utility: Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, meme coins don’t have practical use cases, so their value depends entirely on hype. If the community loses interest, the coin can collapse.
Do Your Own Research (DYOR): Murad emphasizes picking coins with strong, organic communities that have survived market dips for at least six months. Avoid coins with tiny market caps (under $10 million) that linger too long, as they may be scams.

Murad’s Top Picks for the 2024-2025 Cycle

Murad’s curated list of cult meme coins includes:

SPX6900 (SPX): Inspired by the S&P 500, it’s seen explosive growth due to its strong community.
Apu Apustaja (APU): Based on the Pepe the Frog meme, it’s gained traction after influencer hype.
Mini (MINI): A cat-themed coin with media appeal.
Mog Coin (MOG): A culture-driven coin with SHIB-like potential.
Giga Coin (GIGA): Tied to “Gigachad” culture, focusing on masculinity and self-improvement.
HarryPotterObamaSonic10Inu (BITCOIN): A humorous coin blending pop culture references.
Retardio (RETARDIO): Focuses on humor and anti-woke themes.
Lock In (LOCKIN): Promotes a “winning” culture.
American Coin (USA): Tied to U.S. patriotism.
Popcat (POPCAT): A meme coin with strong community engagement.

These coins are chosen for their “cult-like” communities, which Murad believes will drive them to multi-billion-dollar valuations.

How to Get Started Safely

For a complete newbie:

Start Small: Only invest what you can afford to lose. Crypto is risky, especially meme coins.
Use Trusted Platforms: Buy coins on reputable exchanges like Binance or Coinbase, or use wallets like Phantom for Solana-based coins.
Research Communities: Check X or Discord for a coin’s community activity. Strong, active communities are a good sign.
Avoid FOMO: Don’t chase coins just because they’re pumping. Murad suggests focusing on coins with proven resilience (6+ months of history).
Learn the Basics: Understand how to store crypto in a wallet (e.g., Bitget Wallet for security) and avoid sharing private keys.

Why This Matters for a Newbie

Cult meme coins might outperform because they tap into human emotions and social trends, not complex tech. They’re like betting on a viral trend—risky but potentially rewarding if you pick the right one. Murad’s thesis suggests that in 2025, these coins could attract new investors like you, driving massive price increases. However, it’s not a sure thing, so always be cautious and do your own research.

If you want to dive deeper into specific coins or need help setting up a wallet, let me know! For more on Murad’s predictions, check his X account (@MustStopMurad) or the TOKEN2049 speech video online.