For meme coin projects, 2024 was a year of tremendous volatility, characterized by sharp declines, rapid expansion, and well-publicized scandals.
The most popular meme coins of 2024
This year has been full of successes and setbacks for meme coin investors and enthusiasts alike. From surprising carpet giveaways to the emergence of AI-powered meme currencies, these tokens have been delivered in keeping with the high-risk, high-reward nature of this volatile cryptocurrency market.
The market value of meme coins increased steadily, accelerating from March onwards. November sees a significant increase in value coinciding with important events such as the US presidential election and a resurgence of interest in speculative assets.
As of January 2025, its market cap has consolidated to $101.32 billion, down from its December peak of almost $160 billion. Trade volume also recorded a remarkable increase of 865.15% compared to last year, indicating increased activity and investor participation in the sector.
In this article, we will discuss the best meme coins of 2024, which may also enter the list of best meme coins of 2025 if the bull market continues to roar this year.
1. Dogecoin
Dogecoin (DOGE) has long been the standard of meme coins, and its dominance continues until 2024. Dogecoin (DOGE) Coin saw a meteoric rise after Elon Musk entertainingly promoted a fake “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) as part of the US election excitement in November. After this event, DOGE increased by 160% in a few weeks, rising from $0.15 to $0.39, its annual high.
With a market valuation of $48.6 billion by the end of 2024, DOGE has solidified its position as the top meme coin. A growing number of collaborations and integrations with payment systems, such as Tesla’s online store and other charities that accept DOGE, have contributed to this increase in value.
Currently, DOGE is trading at $0.33 as of January 2, 2025. With greater utility in microtransactions and merchants eager for wider adoption, analysts are optimistic about its chances for 2025. DOGE remains at the top of the meme coin craze thanks to its active community and celebrity endorsements.
2. Shiba Inu
The second place in the list of the best meme coins of 2024 is taken by a dog-themed token known as Shiba Inu (SHIB). Known as the “Dogecoin killer,” Shiba Inu has shown its determination by emerging as a top-performing meme coin in 2024. In the second quarter of the year, SHIB saw a sharp increase, rising 120% from its price of $0.000006 in January 2024 to $0.000013. Developments in the Shiba Inu ecosystem, such as the introduction of Shibarium, a layer-2 scaling solution, and the increasing use of SHIB as a payment token, have contributed to this expansion.
Currently, SHIB is one of the top 15 cryptocurrencies by market cap, with a total market cap of $12.9 billion. Despite market instability, it has remained relevant due to strong community support and a steady release of ecosystem improvements.
The current price of SHIB is $0.00002201, representing a 4.3% increase over the past day as of January 2, 2025. In 2025, SHIB’s place in the cryptocurrency market may be consolidated with the launch of utility-oriented initiatives such as ShibaSwap and others. Shiba Inu metadata integrations. Analysts are predicting another possible rise if the ecosystem reaches major adoption milestones.
3. Pepe
The third token in our meme coin list is Pepe (PEPE). The token’s explosive growth in 2024 shook up the meme coin scene. Capitalizing on the success of the “Pepe the Frog” meme, PEPE attracted a lot of attention, especially when it rose more than 1,122% in the first quarter of 2024, reaching its highest point ever at $0.00002614 in April. Viral marketing efforts and its use in decentralized exchanges were the main drivers of growth.
Despite having no inherent value or defined purpose, PEPE has amassed a loyal following and high trading volume, ranking among the top 5 meme coins with a market cap of almost $8.5 billion. PEPE has since stabilized and is trading at $0.00002024 as of January 2, 2025.
The community’s ability to maintain interest and possibly introduce new uses will determine the fate of the coin. Although highly speculative, some investors see PEPE as a representation of meme money culture and could lead to a comeback in 2025 if comparable viral patterns materialize.
4. Damn
The most notable Solana-based memecoin that made news in 2024 was Bonk (BONK). BONK’s goal of centralizing ownership of Solana (SOL) attracted users’ attention when it was first introduced as a token for the Solana community.
BONK saw an increase of more than 291% in mid-2024, reaching a peak of $0.0000045 following the launch of its native decentralized exchange, BonkSwap.
The project is a prominent competitor in the meme coin market due to its focus on community governance and decentralized development. With a market cap of approximately $2.37 billion at the time of this writing, BONK was still one of the most traded meme currencies on Solana, although it cooled in the third quarter.
BONK is currently trading at $0.00003081. BonkSwap’s performance and how well it integrates into the larger Solana ecosystem will determine its potential in 2025. Analysts think BONK could regain momentum if Solana continues to expand as a blockchain platform.
5. Floki
Floki’s (FLOKI) ecosystem-focused strategy has made it a strong competitor in the meme currency market. Inspired by Elon Musk’s pet Shiba Inu, FLOKI has made a difference in 2024 by completing important projects such as the win-win metaverse game Valhalla and the DeFi suite FlokiFi. Due to these changes, FLOKI’s price increased by 400% over the year and peaked at $0.00009 in September.
By December, Floki’s market value had risen to $1.6 billion, indicating a high level of investor confidence. It has managed to expand its community and connect to other ecosystems thanks to its dual blockchain compatibility with Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain.
FLOKI, whose current price is $0.0001827, has the potential for an additional increase in 2025. With the launch of more utility initiatives and the growth of metaverse products, it can differentiate itself in the meme coin market.
6.Popcat
Popcat (POPCAT) became one of the best new meme coins of 2024 after being influenced by the widespread “Popcat click” meme. The project’s simplicity and capacity to connect with fans of online culture helped the project gain traction.
The coin’s market cap was just $50 million in the first quarter of 2024, but by December it had increased by a staggering 2,300% to over $1.2 billion. The simultaneous introduction of Popcat’s NFT collection helped the collection become more widely accepted and appreciated by retail investors.
In mid-November, the cryptocurrency experienced its biggest rise as social media excitement increased. When its price rose from $0.00001 to $0.00005, early adopters made enormous profits. Popcat’s market capitalization is $788 million as of January 2, 2025, and its current price is $0.8024.
Popcat, which plans to further gamify its ecosystem by launching blockchain-based mini games linked to the token, has many promises for 2025. If these initiatives continue, the Popcat meme could continue to be relevant in the coin market and possibly go through another bullish period. They are successful in appealing to a wider audience.
7.Brett
When Brett (BRETT) was first launched in early 2024, it immediately became a notable meme coin, showing rapid growth. With the help of effective social media marketing, BRETT wowed investors and reached a market cap of $1.32 billion three months after its launch. The price of the token increased by more than 900% by June and reached an all-time high of $0.23 in July.
BRETT’s fun brand and commitment to community-driven decision-making make it appealing. Both long-term investors interested in the coin’s roadmap and retail traders looking for quick gains have been attracted to this strategy. As of the end of 2024, BRETT was still one of the best-performing meme currencies, with a market cap of $1.18 billion and a price of $0.12.
With a price of $0.13 as of January 2, 2025, BRETT continues to have significant community support. According to analysts, how well the token’s intended staking and gaming interfaces are implemented will determine how well it will perform in 2025. If BRETT can maintain its community while growing its network, it may be in a position to grow even more next year.
8. The Meme Book
Book of Meme (BOME), the speculative favorite of 2024, saw tremendous growth after launching its decentralized platform for new meme coin projects in the second quarter. In just six months, the value of BOME increased by more than 1,500%, reaching a peak of $0.00025 in August. This expansion was fueled by the idea that BOME could serve as a “launch pad” for the next generation of meme tokens.
Currently with a market valuation of $454 million, BOME has ranked among the top 10 meme coins of 2024 despite significant fluctuations. Investor interest was retained by its unique value proposition and active community.
BOME is currently selling for $0.00659 as of January 2025. Looking ahead, the token’s success in 2025 depends on how well the fundraising platform continues to work and how well it can leverage subsequent meme coin launches. With the right alliances and developments in the ecosystem, BOME can continue to grow.
9.Fartcoin
In 2024, Fartcoin became known for its humorous strategy that offered a humorous perspective on the meme coin market. The coin attracted attention for its unique concept and branding but had no specific use outside of community involvement.
FARTCOIN showed visible growth in the 3rd quarter, reaching a market value of 1.25 billion dollars in 2024. It reached its highest price at $1.29 at the end of the year. The current price of Fartcoin is $1.26 as of January 2, 2025. The project’s community engagement and meme-focused appeal remain key factors in the project’s future growth potential in 2025.
10. Myro
In 2024, Solana-based meme coin Myro emerged and instantly attracted the attention of the cryptocurrency community. To create a community for Solana fans, the token was associated with a different branding campaign featuring Raj Gokal’s dog.
MYRO achieved significant growth throughout 2024, achieving a market valuation of $68 million at the end of the year. As of January 2, 2025, its price is $0.06795. The continued use of MYRO and its possible integration into the Solana ecosystem will be crucial to its future.
A look at the best meme coins of 2024
In summary, the best meme coins of 2024 were characterized by notable expansion, community-driven projects and volatility. While many of these cryptocurrencies have seen significant increases in value, their survival will depend on continued development, community engagement, and connection to broader blockchain ecosystems.
As we approach 2025, the capacity of these meme coins to stay current and find practical use will be crucial to their success, paving the way for the coming wave of meme currency hopefuls. Investors should remain cautious and consider the long-term potential of some tokens.