On January 18, 2025, the Solana network introduced the meme coin TRUMP, associated with Donald Trump. Within just a few days, the token entered the top 30 cryptocurrencies, achieving a market capitalization exceeding $10 billion. The following day, another token, MELANIA, named after the First Lady of the United States, was launched.

Why did these meme coins gain such popularity? Could they generate profits?

How was TRUMP launched?

• Announcement: Donald Trump publicly announced the launch of TRUMP on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) during the "Crypto Ball" event celebrating the inauguration.

• Market Reaction: The meme coin generated massive demand within hours. Its market capitalization reached $1 billion on the first day and later exceeded $10 billion.

• Token Distribution: 80% of the tokens remain with the developers under a three-year vesting schedule. This approach is uncommon for meme coins, which are typically released entirely into circulation immediately.

• 

Data from dexscreener

What happened with MELANIA?

The day after the launch of TRUMP, the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, introduced her own meme coin, MELANIA.

• Demand: The token attracted 500,000 buyers on its first day, achieving a market capitalization of $1.8 billion.

• Technical Challenges: Due to heavy network activity, the Solana network temporarily went offline, and USDT experienced a depeg from the dollar. However, the situation was stabilized within a few hours.

Could you make money on this?

Yes, but there’s always a catch:

• Quick Reaction: Those who learned about TRUMP before the official announcement or bought within the first hours could see returns of up to 52x.

• Selling at the Peak: The best time to sell TRUMP was before MELANIA's launch when the token’s price reached its highest point.

However, the high volatility of these meme coins led to mass liquidations of trader positions, especially for those using leverage. This highlights the risks of futures trading, particularly with meme assets.

What’s next?

The TRUMP and MELANIA meme coins sparked a genuine "meme mania," draining liquidity from the Solana network and significantly impacting the market. Whether they will continue to grow or follow the fate of other hyped assets remains to be seen.

Conclusions

Meme coins reflect internet culture, the power of communities, and the fleeting nature of trends. However, their popularity comes with downsides: when someone profits, others often lose.

For some, the entry point becomes the exit point for others. Therefore:

• Analyze the situation.

• Act quickly but thoughtfully.

• Maintain critical thinking.

Success in the world of meme coins depends not on luck but on access to information, understanding the market, and making well-reasoned decisions. Those who act swiftly and rationally gain the upper hand.