Key Takeaways
- Crypto memes are vital to Web3 culture, shaping how digital communities interact and perceive the space.
- They reflect key events, trends, and emotions, offering insight into investor behavior and major crypto milestones.
- Memes like BUY THE DIP and When Lambo capture the hopes and frustrations of traders navigating the volatile crypto market.
- These memes don’t just entertain—they provide a deeper understanding of the culture and mindset that drive the crypto world.
Imagine scrolling through X or Reddit and suddenly coming across a meme about a dog in a ridiculous hat, only to find out later that the meme inspired an entire cryptocurrency. Sounds bizarre, right?
Well, that’s the crypto world for you: where digital communities generate their own unique culture, jokes and jargon – and even monetize parts of it using blockchain technology.
Memes in particular are one of the defining features of Web3. From memecoins like Dogecoin to phrases like NGMI (Not Gonna Make It), memes capture the wild, unpredictable, and often hilarious nature of the crypto community. If you’re curious about what’s trending in crypto or just want a taste of its culture, getting to know its memes is the perfect place to start.
In this article, we explore 20 crypto memes that have shaped the space, and unpack why these memes aren’t just funny—they’re the essence of an entire movement.
20 Crypto Memes That Defined the Space
There are countless crypto memes, with new ones appearing daily, but some have captured the zeitgeist and collective imagination, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Here are 20 memes that shaped the crypto culture.
1. Dogecoin
Let’s start strong with the undisputed king of the crypto memes. Dogecoin began in 2013 as a joke based on the Doge meme, a photo of a Shiba Inu normally paired with broken English captions like “such wow” and “very crypto.” But have you ever wondered how the Doge meme began?
Introducing Kabosu, the star of Dogecoin. The Shiba Inu dog from Japan shot to fame after her owner posted her picture on a blog back in 2010. The photo then went viral after becoming a meme on legacy Tumblr blog, “Shiba Confessions”.
The meme soon gained traction across the internet, eventually becoming the face of Dogecoin cryptocurrency in 2013. Despite its comedic origins, Dogecoin grew into a serious economy, thanks mainly to its strong community and endorsement from celebrities like Elon Musk. The Dogecoin empire now stands as an eternal legacy to Kabosu the dog, who died in May 2024.
The Dogecoin image is a perfect example of how memes, a supportive community, and celebrity interactions can lead to an economic ecosystem.
2. Dogwifhat (WIF)
The ubiquitous Dogwifhat meme can be traced back to its gaming origins in 2019. A Fortnite player set his Twitter profile picture to…well, a dog with a hat on. In the days that followed, fellow Twitter user @Vapurly commented “dogwifhat” under the photo. The Dogwifhat meme was born.
It took off in late 2023 with the launch of the Dogwifhat (WIF) cryptocurrency. The community-driven project became a cult favorite, illustrating how memes can inspire the creation of entire economies based on humor and relatability.
3. Blockchain ICO Meme
The rise of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) brought a wave of excitement and speculation in crypto. But as with any bubble, the hype was often too good to be true. Projects promised revolutionary innovations, yet many fell flat or disappeared after raising millions. This era gave birth to countless memes, poking fun at the unrealistic expectations.
One well-known meme captures this perfectly: a person holding an empty wallet labeled “Blockchain ICO,” symbolizing the common experience of investing in ICOs that delivered little to nothing. The joke highlights the disappointments many faced during the ICO boom of 2017.
4. Batman HODL Slap Meme
The Batman HODL Slap Meme holds a special place in crypto culture. Inspired by the iconic comic panel of Batman slapping Robin, this meme takes on new meaning in the world of Bitcoin. Instead of responding to market volatility with panic, the slap reminds investors to “HODL”—a term originating from a 2013 Bitcoin forum post where a typo led to HOLD becoming HODL. It captured the resilient mindset of the crypto community, who believe in holding their assets through ups and downs. The meme symbolizes a core philosophy of Bitcoin culture: staying strong in the face of market swings, knowing that patience can lead to long-term rewards.
5. Elon Musk Lion King Meme
In crypto’s nascent space, it’s no secret that a few big voices hold a lot of power—a single social media post can shake up the market. The Elon Musk Lion King meme perfectly captures that zeitgeist.
Trending in 2021, the meme refers to Musk’s sudden endorsement of Dogecoin on Twitter. The tweet catapulted Dogecoin, a coin created as a joke, into the spotlight, skyrocketing its price and framing Musk as a crypto “King Maker.”
It also pokes fun at the gravity we give celebrity endorsements in this space, where quick gains are often followed by steep losses—especially when it turns out to be part of a larger speculative trend or scam.
6. SBF FTX Crash Meme
After FTX’s spectacular collapse in 2022, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) went from being the “golden boy” of crypto to one of its most vilified figures. Once seen as a quirky genius, SBF’s image was shattered, going from affable geek to crypto pariah as investigations revealed fraud and mismanagement within FTX.
The memes that followed captured his transformation from affable nerd to disgraced villain. Some depicted him as a chess master who lost everything in one careless move, while others likened him to fallen tech leaders, highlighting how quickly fortunes can change in the volatile crypto world. These memes provided comic relief for a shaken community while chronicling a cautionary tale of trust and deception.
7. GM (Good Morning) Meme
Web3 has introduced a whole new – sometimes perplexing – language. From NGMI to rekt, and hodl to fren, it often seems the crypto-lexicon contains a word for every occasion.
Among the most popular of these phrases is GM. This simple greeting—short for Good Morning—has taken on a life of its own within Web3 communities. Every day, users flood social media with GM messages to greet one another, embodying a sense of optimism and connection. It’s more than just a hello; it’s a cultural marker.
Memes mocking the relentless use of GM emerged, highlighting the importance of shared Web3 experiences. The meme showcases how this playful, daily ritual unites a global community, offering a light-hearted way to signal positivity in an otherwise complex digital world.
8. BUY THE DIP
Buy the dip is a rallying cry for crypto enthusiasts during market slumps, encouraging investment when prices fall. It’s been used during significant downturns, like the 2022 collapse of FTX or earlier during the 2018 crypto winter, when prices of major assets like Bitcoin crashed. In the chaotic crypto ecosystem, these moments feel like opportunity knocking.
Memes like Homer Simpson digging deeper into the ground or SpongeBob’s frantic call to buy the dip capture the mix of humor and hope in the community, even as others panic. These images reflect crypto culture’s resilient, often tongue-in-cheek nature, reminding people that volatility is part of the game.
9. Crypto Noob vs. Crypto OG
Crypto is known for its dramatic market swings, with prices rising and crashing in the blink of an eye. Take, for example, the white knuckle ride that was Bitcoin’s 2017 peak and subsequent crash—it left many newcomers panicking. That’s where this meme comes in: it humorously contrasts a Crypto Noob and a Crypto OG.
The Noob is frantically watching the market, caught off-guard by every dip. Meanwhile, the OG—who’s seen it all—remains unfazed, often with captions like, “Relax, I’ve been here before.” It reflects the divide between those new to crypto and the veterans who’ve weathered multiple crashes, reminding us that in this volatile world, experience brings calm.
This meme contrasts the experience of a crypto newcomer (Noob) with that of a seasoned veteran (OG). While the Noob panics during market volatility, the OG remains calm, usually accompanied by humorous captions like, “I’ve seen this before.”
10. Bitcoin Is Dead Meme
Bitcoin has been declared dead so many times, it’s practically a running joke. Take, for example, the famous Bitcoin is Dead meme, which perfectly illustrates Bitcoin’s incredible resilience. No matter how many headlines claim its demise, Bitcoin continues to survive—gaining strength with each supposed death.
The meme taps into the culture of endurance within the crypto community, where many view each death declaration as proof of Bitcoin’s lasting power. In a world where digital assets face constant scrutiny, the meme provides comic relief while highlighting Bitcoin’s enduring presence in the financial world.
11. Everyone Sweating
A Reddit post showcased the popular Everyone Sweating meme, perfectly capturing the tension within the crypto world—one policy decision is hanging in the balance, and the entire cryptocurrency community is holding its breath.
The comedic image reflects how dependent crypto ecosystems have become on external policies. A single move could send digital assets skyrocketing or crashing down. It’s a lighthearted yet powerful illustration of how precarious the space can feel to those involved.
12. When Lambo
Crypto investors dream of the day they can splurge on a luxury car, like a Lamborghini. The phrase ‘When Lambo?’ captures this excitement and hope. It’s more than just a car; it represents financial success and a big win in the crypto world.
This meme shows just how much crypto folk want a big win. Crypto traders usually celebrate small victories along the way, eagerly anticipating a larger victory. As crypto continues to grow, so does the dream of driving a fancy car.
13. Taking Profits
Knowing when to cash out can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering between fear and greed. Should you opt out at the first sign of profit, or wait as the market rallies?
As investors watch their profits multiply, the fear of missing out on even greater gains becomes enormous. This tension fuels countless memes, reflecting the shared anxiety and humor of a community united by the unpredictable nature of the crypto market.
14. Stock Market vs. Crypto Market Traders
The “Stock Market vs Crypto Market Traders” meme humorously highlights the stark contrast between the two groups. The meme captures the highly volatile cryptocurrency market, showcasing the resilience and nerves of steel required to weather its dramatic swings. It’s a lighthearted nod to the cultural differences between traditional finance professionals and the daring, often battle-hardened, crypto enthusiasts who thrive on chaos and unpredictability.
15. Buy the Dip, but the Price Is Always Dipping
Ever thought the market couldn’t dip any further, only to be proven wrong time and time again? Well, this meme sums up the extremes of Buy the Dip, where traders enthusiastically scoop up discounted cryptocurrencies, hoping for a rebound. It captures the relentless optimism and resilience required in the crypto world, where each dip feels like a new opportunity yet often turns into another round of holding on tight as the slide keeps going. It’s a testament to the high-stakes, high-emotion nature of crypto trading, where hope and strategy dance on a knife-edge.
16. Crypto is Healthy Meme
Popular in various meme formats, the Crypto is Healthy meme humorously conveys that price increases in the crypto market are like maintaining good health. Just as a daily dose of vitamins boosts physical well-being, a rise in crypto prices lifts investors’ spirits. Each green candle represents a mini-celebration, a collective sigh of relief, and a boost to financial and emotional health, showcasing the deep connection between market gains and the traders’ sense of well-being. With the market volatility and crazy crypto news cycle, a green candle is a welcome relief, even in a meme.
17. The Ethereum vs Empty Wallet Meme
When Ethereum exploded, people were shocked by the transaction fees. This meme wass a hilarious way to express annoyance. It compared the Ethereum logo to an empty wallet. Many early users felt this pain because the transaction cost was often higher than they expected.
The Ethereum wallet meme brings back memories of a difficult time in crypto. As Ethereum grew and improved, it became more than just a platform for decentralized apps. It also became a symbol of the ups and downs of digital assets—a reminder that every success story has its challenges.
18. NGMI (Not Gonna Make It)
NGMI, or Not Gonna Make It, is warning to those who misjudge market trends or take reckless risks. It reflects the tough lessons learned in an environment where fortunes can vanish in an instant, reminding traders that being well-informed crucial in the crypto market.
For instance, someone might remark, “I just saw someone taking notes during Jim Cramer’s crypto analysis segment. They’re totally NGMI, lol.” These examples show the rich crypto culture, the meme’s role in the ongoing dialogue about investment strategies, and the importance of informed decision-making.
19. Picking for Alt Season
You know how altcoin season can feel like a rollercoaster? One minute you’re riding high, the next you’re plummeting. That meme about Minesweeper really nails it. It’s like you’re playing a game of chance, trying to pick the winners before they blow up.
It’s kind of crazy how people can get caught up in the hype. You see all these colorful coins popping up, and it can be tempting to jump on board. But you also know that one wrong move could ruin everything. It’s a risky game, but that’s what makes it so exciting.
20. Mt. Gox Meme
Remember that time Mt. Gox went down? It was a huge deal in 2014. Mt Gox was the biggest place to buy and sell Bitcoin, and then boom! It just collapsed. People lost a ton of money—approximately 850,000 Bitcoin. It was a real shock for everyone.
Memes started popping up everywhere, and one of the popular ones was the Titanic sinking. It was a funny way to say, “Wow, this is a disaster!” Just like the Titanic, Mt. Gox was supposed to be this big, strong thing, and then it sank. Seeing the memes, you could tell people were trying to deal with how they felt. It was like, “Okay, this is bad, but at least we can laugh about it together.” It showed how strong the community was, even when things were tough.
That’s kind of the beauty of memes, you know? They help us turn something painful into something we can all share and laugh about. It’s like a way of saying, “We’re in this together.”
Closing Thoughts
As we wrap up, let’s face it: the crypto world can be as strange and unpredictable as the memes it spawns. The internet may be vast, but memes are the threads that tie us together in the wild world of digital currencies. They capture moments, spark trends, and occasionally, even launch coins. So next time you find yourself lost in the chaos of crypto, let the memes guide your way.
