Market Opportunity

Crypto markets are shifting, and we’re in a unique spot. China is injecting stimulus, global rates are falling, and liquidity is rising fast. Some believe this is the best setup crypto has ever seen, a potential chance for significant gains. The only question is how to take advantage of it.

At TOKEN2049, memecoin analyst Murad shared bold predictions about a “memecoin super cycle.” He showed how meme coins have consistently outperformed other crypto sectors by building loyal communities that drive price action. While this idea has been around for a while, Murad’s data made it clear that meme coins could offer something other sectors in crypto can’t.

Source: Murad @MustStopMurad

One of Murad’s key points was how memecoins have outperformed other crypto sectors this year. While many knew this, few wanted to admit it. Five months ago, we published a research piece titled The Era of Memecoins on our LinkedIn, predicting this trend. It’s worth a look.

Source: Murad on X

He also pointed out that the most successful dApps like Uniswap, Pump.fun, Jupiter, Rollbit, Solana, GMX, and others are closely tied to speculation, highlighting their central role in crypto’s growth and the success of the memecoin market. According to him, memes create a sense of community, fun, and fairness that other sectors can’t offer. When legitimate, they are often beyond the reach of the wealth extraction pyramid seen in many “fundamentally strong” projects, where founders, VCs, exchanges, and market makers buy up large supplies at low prices.

What we’ve learned from the market is that an asset’s fundamentals often play a minor role in its potential to skyrocket in value. Memecoins are a form of internet culture where people can band together and create memetic value out of momentum.

At the start of the year, memecoins were already 4.6 times more profitable than RWA, the second biggest trend, and 33.3 times more profitable than Layer 2 projects, which saw the lowest returns in Q1.

Source: CoinGecko

Even in 2023, a Chainplay study revealed that 64% of investors have bought memecoins, with 79% seeing them as long-term investments, despite 70% acknowledging the risk of scams. Interestingly, 20% of investors entered crypto through memecoins, and 32% of buyers were new to the space, with less than a year of experience.

Source: Chainplay

Not only are more people getting into memecoins, but institutions are also showing interest. Elon Musk has been a vocal supporter of Dogecoin. Galaxy Digital CEO Michael Novogratz has hailed memecoins as one of the “most powerful narratives out there”. Grayscale, one of the largest digital asset managers, supports memecoins by offering diversified crypto funds with exposure to Dogecoin and others. And there are likely more institutions involved, though some may be hesitant to admit it.

Source: CoinTelegraph

If Raoul Pal is correct and we enter “The Banana Zone,” it would trigger a liquidity surge where capital is pushed further out on the risk curve to stay competitive. As lower-risk bonds become less appealing, we could see riskier assets experience a steady rise in value. Investors may even rush into risk assets to get ahead of more potential interest rate cuts, driving prices even higher. If that scenario unfolds, the market opportunity for memecoins in 2025 could be substantial, as capital shifts toward higher-risk, high-reward investments.

Source: Raoul Pal @RaoulGMI

Unfortunately, not all news about memecoins is good. A 2024 report by Chainplay found that 97% of memecoins fail, with an average lifespan of just one year. While these numbers may vary, it’s well-known that most memecoins are short-lived and driven by “pump and dump” schemes. In a world of fleeting attention spans, it’s no surprise they can quickly hit billion-dollar valuations, but interest often fades just as fast, leading to sharp market drops as people move on to the next trend.

A memecoin set for success needs more than just fleeting hype.

It must be built for sustained liquidity, explosive growth, and global attention.

It should tap into social trends in fresh, unexpected ways we have yet to fully imagine, hinting at something transformative.

It needs to be driven by a team aiming to become a lasting brand with cultural impact, offering the potential for massive returns to early movers.

$MANEKI: The Gateway to Modern Fortune?

Launched in 2023, $MANEKI taps into the worldwide recognition of the Maneki Neko, Japan’s “beckoning cat.” What began as a local symbol of luck centuries ago has evolved into a global icon. You see it everywhere now: in businesses, fashion, and pop culture. This universal symbol of good fortune gives $MANEKI a strong cultural foundation, making it stand out in the world of meme coins.

Source: Google

Now, with the backing of @UnrevealedXYZ, Maneki enters the decentralized digital world, marking a new chapter for this global icon in the future of finance and technology. A few key reasons suggest why $MANEKI‘S success could be replicated in the crypto world:

• Cultural Symbolism: Like the Maneki Neko figurine, tied to luck and prosperity, a cryptocurrency based on this symbol could easily resonate with people, offering emotional appeal and attention in the crypto market.
• Meme Culture: Similar to Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, Maneki’s link to good luck can help build a narrative that draws both investors and traders.
• Community Growth: Maneki has inspired loyalty for centuries, and a cryptocurrency could build on this to create a strong, united community.
• Cross-Cultural Appeal: With recognition beyond Asia, Maneki’s broad cultural appeal can help it attract global investors and expand its reach.
• Luck-Based Narrative: The concept of luck is naturally appealing in speculative crypto markets. A Maneki coin could capitalize on this, enticing people hoping for financial fortune.

Source: @UnrevealedXYZ

Team, Adoption Insights and Future Outlook

The team behind Maneki, while not fully public, has revealed their identities in key business negotiations to secure partnerships and deals, helping build trust with notable organisations. This level of transparency is rare in the memecoin space, where anonymity is common. By doxxing themselves, they’ve not only gained trust but also elevated the project’s credibility.

When it comes to adoption, buckle up because, in just one year, Maneki has secured major partnerships unseen before in the world of memecoins with some of the biggest names in sports and mainstream media.

• On September 27, 2024, SSC Napoli announced Maneki as their official crypto partner for the 2024/25 season. This partnership lets fans engage with the club through cryptocurrency, offering perks like VIP tickets and special experiences. The deal provides Maneki huge exposure during Napoli’s home games at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, which seats 54,726, with global broadcasts reaching millions, especially during Serie A and UEFA matches.

Source: MANEKI @UnrevealedXYZ

In May 2024, Maneki partnered with UFC fighter Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili ahead of his title fight with Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. Dvalishvili’s success and popularity gave Maneki greater visibility, making this a smart move to grow the brand, especially in the sports and entertainment world.

• In May 2024, Maneki became the first memecoin to appear on the NASDAQ billboard in New York’s Times Square. Alongside this, the team was interviewed live at the NYSE headquarters. These moves helped raise the project’s profile, pushing it beyond the crypto space and into mainstream finance.

Source: MANEKI @UnrevealedXYZ

• Maneki secured global trademark rights for its intellectual property in over 50 countries through the Madrid Protocol, covering key markets like Japan, the U.S., the EU, the UK, and China. This level of protection shows that Maneki is serious about its long term ambitions. Companies don’t go through the effort of securing international trademarks unless they are aiming for global recognition and want to ensure their brand is protected on a large scale.
• Maneki’s aggressive marketing strategy leverages anime, manga, and art to appeal to culturally connected markets. With over $8 million invested in partnerships and promotions, they’ve built significant visibility. Their listings on leading exchanges like Bybit, Bitfinex, KuCoin, and over 50 others highlight their focus on accessibility.

Maneki’s roadmap for the last quarter of 2024 and beyond reflects bold growth plans. The team has set aside $5 million to secure larger deals and aims to break into one of the biggest entertainment sectors. Potential listings on major platforms like Binance, Coinbase, OKX, and Kraken could further boost visibility and attract more users.

Their mission is to turn Maneki into a global brand, supported by strong marketing and community building efforts. By blending cultural elements like anime with web3 mechanisms, Maneki aims to stand out from other memecoins and build a lasting presence. With their strategic partnerships and growing community, it’s clear they’re focused on long term success.

Tokenomics

• Market Cap: $59.7 million
• Fully Diluted Valuation: $60.6 million
• 24-Hour Trading Volume: $18.7 million
• Circulating Supply: 8.76 billion (98.56% of the total supply)
• Holders: 73,371
• Network: Solana

$MANEKI was launched on the Solana blockchain, benefiting from its fast transactions, low fees, and strong scalability to improve the user experience. The Maneki team allocated 10% of its total supply (8.88 billion tokens) for a community airdrop, aiming to boost engagement. This initiative included targeted promotions, such as a campaign on Poloniex, where users could earn free $MANEKI by trading or referring friends. Additionally, holders of the Maneki Neko ordinals collection on Fractal Bitcoin received 90% of the dedicated supply for their participation.

Source: UnrevealedXYZ

Even though Maneki is a memecoin, which typically has little utility, the team has made a clear effort to offer holders real benefits. Token holders gain access to special events and unique experiences, often linked to partnerships.

They also host exclusive events for Maneki holders to increase their token utility. In a recent one, participants could buy Maneki mystery card packs with the chance to win real-world prizes like a Tesla Cybertruck or a Rolex. This event also supported the token’s value, as 100% of the $MANEKI proceeds were burned afterwards. This shows the team’s commitment to keeping the community engaged and maintaining the token’s ecosystem.

Competitors

There are countless memecoin communities, many already worth billions and far ahead of Maneki. The memecoin market has expanded beyond dogs, with cat themed coins recently gaining traction. Today, instead of diving into other strong communities, we will talk about an emerging trend worth keeping an eye on, as it taps into the crossover between AI and entertainment.

Yesterday, I came across a post from @Defi0xJeff that caught my attention for two reasons. First, we’ve been following @virtuals_io since the early Base narrative, and second, they’re launching an AI agent marketplace using a similar Pump.fun model, which I find quite interesting. (I’d also recommend following Jeff for his solid content.)

Source: 0xJeff @Defi0xJeff

Here’s the scoop: Virtuals Protocol is leading the charge in AI agent tokenization, blending memecoin concepts with autonomous, revenue generating AI agents. Inspired by Pump.fun’s viral success on Solana, Virtuals allows users to own and engage with AI agents like $Luna, expanding across platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and Roblox.

There could be potential here — these agents offer personalized, scalable fan engagement, potentially turning interactions into revenue. What makes this even more compelling is how $GOAT, another AI agent in the ecosystem, could be showing early signs of momentum, driven by the influence of @truth_terminal. As these AI agents continue gaining traction across social and entertainment platforms, we might be witnessing the start of a new era in digital engagement and value creation through tokenized AI companions.

For more details on the topic, we recommend taking a look at this article by @Shoalresearch, where they dive deeper into the topic.

Source: Shoal Research @Shoalresearch

Keep in mind, this trend could fade away as soon as it comes, but it might be worth keeping an eye on. I know it’s not a direct competitor to Maneki, but I felt it was worth mentioning. At least for me, it was more interesting writing about it than diving into comparisons with other well-known memecoins. After all, catching a new trend early could make all the difference, right?

Closing Remarks

At first, we were hesitant to write an article about a memecoin, considering we are an investment fund. However, memecoin performance can’t be overlooked. Whether they’re here to stay or destined to fade like the NFT hype, time will tell. In the meantime, we want to actively participate in the exciting crypto space, which includes every asset class.

Of course, nothing we say here is financial advice or represents any of our holding positions.

There are thousands of memecoins out there, and while some will succeed, most will disappear. Maneki may not have the largest community or market cap, but the team’s recent efforts and vision haven’t gone unnoticed. If you’re part of the community, help Maneki to be everywhere by sharing this article. And if you have a strong conviction in any other memecoin community, feel free to share it in the comments.

If you want direct alpha from the Solana community, I recommend you follow @0x_JaeThorn, as he’s in the trenches, and in direct contact with major founders.

Good luck out there, stay safe, and stay curious!

Disclaimer

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