One of the biggest and most talked-about crypto events in 2025 was the launch of TRUMP, the official meme coin of the current U.S. President Donald Trump, just a few days before his official oath-taking ceremony. While the project initially looked like it could soon become the number one meme coin and revolutionize the space, TRUMP has since nosedived in value, leaving investors to wonder if it was just another pump-and-dump scheme for the whales. But does this mean that blue-chip projects that have already established a following in the space shall be the standard of meme coins forever? TRUMP Token’s Bizarre Price Trajectory The TRUMP token’s launch shook the crypto world, as no other political figure in the United States had ever ventured into crypto, much less directly endorsed and launched a meme coin bearing their own name. As a result, the token’s release was seen as a bold, trend-setting move that captured the imagination of investors globally. Within just two days of its launch, the TRUMP token saw an unprecedented rally, climbing from about two cents to a staggering $74 per token. This translated to a market capitalization of $15 billion, briefly ranking it among the top three meme coins by valuation. The frenzy was fueled by widespread speculation and media coverage, as well as the association of the token with a figure as prominent as the U.S. President. However, this surge was short-lived. Within just 48 hours of hitting its peak, the token lost over 50% of its value, and within the following days, its market cap shrank even further. It also lost its spot as one of the top three meme coins per 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 The sharp decline raised concerns about the integrity of the meme coin space, as the project lacked any tangible utility or clearly defined roadmap. Critics labeled it a pump-and-dump scheme , though its direct affiliation with a sitting U.S. President gave it an air of credibility that made such claims difficult to confirm. As of now, TRUMP continues to bleed value, with no new announcements or utility developments to stabilize its trajectory. While the token’s explosive debut turned some early investors into millionaires, it also underscored how heavily the meme coin market relies on hype rather than substance. Are PEPE, DOGE, and SHIB Still the Best Meme Coins to Buy Instead? Unlike TRUMP, which relied on a fleeting wave of hype, established meme coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe have demonstrated resilience over time. These projects are backed by large, dedicated communities and have weathered numerous market cycles, consistently bouncing back from dips and remaining relevant in the broader crypto conversation. For example, Dogecoin, often regarded as the original meme coin, has maintained its prominence thanks to its widespread adoption and cultural significance. From Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s endorsements to its use in tipping and transactions, DOGE has transcended its status as a joke and evolved into a functional digital asset. Similarly, Shiba Inu has carved out a unique space by building an ecosystem that includes staking, decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, and even a metaverse project. Despite its massive market cap, SHIB continues to provide investors with opportunities for returns, thanks to its robust roadmap and community-driven initiatives. On the other hand Pepe, though newer compared to DOGE and SHIB, has quickly established itself as a favorite among meme coin enthusiasts. Its viral appeal and active developer engagement have helped it maintain steady interest even during bearish phases. The contrast between these projects and TRUMP lies in their ability to foster long-term community loyalty and create utility beyond initial hype. The recent price dumps seen in TRUMP and even its counterpart, MELANIA, highlight the risks associated with meme coins tied to specific individuals or political movements. By contrast, DOGE, SHIB, and PEPE benefit from having mascots and narratives that are not tied to any one person, making them more versatile and less prone to dramatic dumps. Can New Meme Coins Still Be Profitable? While legacy tokens dominate the meme coin space, new projects continue to emerge with the potential for massive returns. Despite the risks involved, new meme coins often offer attractive reward-to-risk ratios, particularly for early investors who can identify promising projects before they gain widespread attention. One of the key factors in assessing the potential of new meme coins is the strength and dedication of their communities. Active engagement on social media, strong presale performance, and transparency from developers are indicators of a project’s potential to succeed. Wall Street Pepe could be a good example, having gained significant traction as one of the most talked-about meme coin presales in recent months. With over $60 million raised during its presale, the project has already demonstrated strong investor confidence. Interestingly, its appeal lies not only in the iconic Pepe mascot but also in its innovative utility features and endorsement from influential crypto personalities like YouTuber ClayBro , among many others. The project has also gone viral across platforms like Twitter and Reddit, with its community showing impressive levels of engagement and enthusiasm. Major publications such as Brave New Coin also talking about Wall Street Pepe could have 100x potential. Unlike TRUMP, which relied heavily on its political ties, Wall Street Pepe’s WEPE token appears to be building a foundation for long-term growth by focusing on community engagement and functional use cases. This approach could help it avoid the pitfalls that plagued TRUMP and position it as a more sustainable meme coin investment. To predict the direction meme coins may take in the coming year may be quite difficult. Projects like TRUMP may likely be introduced in higher numbers, with some being genuine and some being pump-and-dump schemes. There is no doubt that the meme-crypto category is growing and likely to stay. Investors who hope to make profits from the project, however, may want to be more mindful and invest in projects that hold actual value, community engagement, and 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 Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.