A major highlight in the crypto world in 2025 was the unveiling of TRUMP, the official meme coin of the U.S. President Donald Trump, released just days before he was sworn into office. Initially poised to dominate the meme coin segment and potentially revolutionize the field, TRUMP's value has since plummeted, leading investors to suspect it might have been a pump-and-dump scheme benefiting large investors. Does this imply that well-established blue-chip projects will forever set the bar for meme coins? The Unusual Price Movement of the TRUMP Token The introduction of the TRUMP token was a seismic event in the crypto world, as no other U.S. political figure had previously ventured into cryptocurrency, let alone launched a meme coin with their name. This release was perceived as a daring, trendsetting initiative that captivated investors around the globe. In just 48 hours post-launch, the TRUMP token experienced an extraordinary surge, skyrocketing from roughly two cents to an astonishing $74 per token. This rapid ascent resulted in a market cap of $15 billion, momentarily placing it among the top three meme coins in terms of valuation. The excitement was driven by intense media coverage and speculation, along with the token's association with a high-profile figure like the U.S. President. Yet, this peak was fleeting. Within two days of reaching its zenith, the token's value plummeted by over 50%, and its market capitalization continued to decline in the ensuing days, losing its status as one of the leading meme coins by market cap. $TRUMP coin is a scam and embarrassing for all US citizens. Essentially, it allowed insiders to snipe the entire supply at launch. We should hope for better from our leaders. Just because the other side is corrupt doesn’t give you a license to do the same. I hope people on… pic.twitter.com/yHgfdQhZqz — Dr. Danish (@operationdanish) January 18, 2025 This sharp decline sparked serious doubts about the integrity of the meme coin industry, especially since the project lacked any real utility or clear development plan. Critics dubbed it a pump-and-dump scheme , although its direct connection to a sitting U.S. President gave it a veneer of legitimacy that made such accusations challenging to prove. Currently, TRUMP continues its downward trend, with no fresh announcements or utility updates to halt its decline. Despite a spectacular start that made some early buyers quite wealthy, it highlighted the meme coin market's dependency on buzz rather than real value. Are PEPE, DOGE, and SHIB Still the Top Meme Coins to Consider? In contrast to TRUMP, which thrived on temporary excitement, established meme coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe have shown durability over time. These coins boast large, loyal communities and have survived various market fluctuations, often recovering from downturns and staying relevant in the broader cryptocurrency landscape. Take Dogecoin, for example. Often cited as the original meme coin, it has kept its status due to wide acceptance and cultural importance. From endorsements by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to its role in tipping and transactions, DOGE has moved beyond merely being a joke and has become a viable digital currency. Similarly, Shiba Inu has carved its niche by creating an ecosystem that includes staking, decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, and even a metaverse project. Despite its large market cap, SHIB continues to offer investors potential returns due to its comprehensive roadmap and initiatives driven by the community. Meanwhile, Pepe, though newer than DOGE and SHIB, has quickly become a favorite among meme coin fans. Its viral nature and proactive developer involvement have sustained interest even during downturns. The difference between these coins and TRUMP lies in their capacity to build lasting community loyalty and offer utility beyond initial excitement. The recent value crashes of TRUMP and its counterpart, MELANIA, underscore the risks tied to meme coins linked to specific personalities or political agendas. In contrast, DOGE, SHIB, and PEPE benefit from mascots and narratives not tied to any individual, making them more adaptable and less susceptible to sudden declines. Do New Meme Coins Hold Profit Potential? While established tokens dominate the meme coin arena, new entrants continue to appear with the potential for significant gains. Despite inherent risks, fresh meme coins often present appealing risk-to-reward ratios, especially for early backers who can spot promising projects before they hit the mainstream. A critical factor in evaluating the potential of new meme coins is the strength and commitment of their communities. High engagement on social media, successful presale results, and transparency from developers are indicators of a project’s potential success. Wall Street Pepe serves as a potential example, having gained substantial traction as one of the most discussed meme coin presales in recent times. With over $60 million raised during its presale, the project has already shown strong investor confidence. Interestingly, its charm lies not only in the iconic Pepe mascot but also in its innovative utility features and endorsements from influential crypto figures like YouTuber ClayBro , among others. The project has also gone viral across platforms like Twitter and Reddit, with its community demonstrating impressive engagement and enthusiasm. Major publications, including Brave New Coin, have discussed Wall Street Pepe's potential to increase 100-fold. Unlike TRUMP, which leaned heavily on its political affiliations, Wall Street Pepe’s WEPE token appears to be laying the groundwork for sustainable growth by emphasizing community involvement and practical applications. This strategy might help it avoid the pitfalls that beset TRUMP, positioning it as a more sustainable meme coin investment. Predicting the trajectory of meme coins in the coming year could be challenging. More projects like TRUMP may surface, some genuine and others possibly pump-and-dump schemes. The meme-crypto category is undoubtedly expanding and seems here to stay. Investors looking to profit from these projects might consider focusing on those with real value, active community engagement, and practical use cases that make them worthwhile investments. Visit Wall Street Pepe Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Bitzo, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.
