In crypto, it’s normal to see “useless” things reach insane valuations. Dogecoin in the tens of billions. Monkey NFTs selling for millions. On the surface, no clear utility. So what are we really valuing? A memecoins like $DOGE , $PEPE , $pippin are just a token on a blockchain. Self custody, transparency, censorship resistance. Technically, it shares the same base properties as Bitcoin. Early on, even Bitcoin had “better” versions like Litecoin claiming to be faster and cheaper. History decided otherwise. So why are memecoins called useless?
Because most crypto tokens promise utility inside a protocol. Memecoins usually do not. They lack the extra layer of functional purpose. But utility is only one way value forms. Value is simply what people are willing to pay. Businesses are valued on future cash flow. Art is valued on emotion, culture, and status. A sports jersey has little practical use, yet fans gladly pay to signal belonging. The purchase itself becomes a statement. Memecoins work in a similar way. They materialize shared culture. A meme that captures a global mood holds attention. Buying the token becomes a way to participate, to belong, even to sacrifice for the tribe. At the same time, memecoins are pure speculation. They function like a global casino. You bet on attention and momentum. You win or lose. Exchanges benefit from volume, and memecoins generate endless volume because they are not anchored to earnings or fundamentals. That is why they will not disappear
Some explode because they are profitable for insiders. Others because the meme genuinely resonates. Most die. My takeaway is simple. A strong meme lowers the barrier to community growth. It does not guarantee success, but it makes coordination easier. If you play this game, look for tight communities around powerful cultural symbols. In smaller ecosystems, moves are clearer and risks are easier to read. Memecoins are psychology, culture, and gambling wrapped into one token. Understand that, and you understand the game.