The Hidden Economics Behind Meme Money: Why Not Every Coin Becomes a Winner

Justin Sun recently highlighted a critical insight about meme coins in an interview: they fundamentally represent the monetization of internet attention. However, launching a meme coin and building a recognizable brand are entirely different matters.

When Internet Attention Becomes Trading Capital

The mechanics of meme money operate on a simple principle—capturing the collective focus of online communities and converting that engagement into financial value. Sun used Biden coin as a compelling example to illustrate this gap. If such a coin were issued today, it would likely languish without significant adoption. Why? Because Biden, though a prominent political figure, hasn’t successfully transitioned into a genuine internet IP or meme culture phenomenon. Being a household name doesn’t automatically translate into meme credibility.

The Real Barrier to Meme Coin Success

This reveals the harsh reality of meme coin economics: anyone with technical capability can issue tokens, but only those that resonate within the attention economy gain traction. The disparity between issuing capacity and market acceptance remains substantial. Success requires more than novelty—it demands cultural relevance, community momentum, and authentic narrative appeal.

Standing Out in the Crowded Meme Space

To emerge as a winner in the meme money landscape, a project must achieve genuine internet mindshare. This means generating organic discussion, building a devoted community, and becoming part of actual cultural conversations rather than forced marketing campaigns. The coins that succeed are those that capture genuine moments of collective attention and sustain that momentum into sustainable ecosystems.

The fundamental lesson: in the meme coin economy, your ability to become a recognizable internet phenomenon ultimately determines your market viability.