The rise and fall of meme coins continue to captivate the cryptocurrency world, with Pepe coin emerging as one of the most talked-about assets in 2025. However, recent research reveals a troubling concentration of power among a small group of early investors, raising concerns about market fairness and long-term sustainability. As volatility increases and liquidity tightens, traders are shifting attention toward promising new meme projects like $WSM** and **$AI, seen by many as potential successors in the next wave of digital cultural assets.
Pepe Coin’s Profit Concentration in Early Hands
According to a new study by SingularityDAO, over 80% of Pepe coin’s potential profit was captured within the first week of its launch. This rapid value accumulation highlights an uneven playing field, where early entrants reaped massive gains while later investors face diminished returns and heightened risk.
The report underscores that a significant portion of the token supply is held by a few large investors—commonly referred to as "whales." Approximately 25% of PEPE tokens are controlled by just a handful of these whales, while other major holders collectively possess 46% of the circulating supply. This means nearly three-quarters of all available PEPE is under the influence of elite investors.
Such centralization creates a fragile ecosystem. When such a concentrated group decides to sell—even partially—it can trigger sharp price drops due to limited net liquidity. Rafe Tariq, Senior Quantitative Analyst at SingularityDAO, warns:
“Limited net liquidity is creating a high-stakes game of musical chairs. A small number of investors will walk away with profits, while others are left holding depreciating assets.”
Since peaking at an $1.8 billion market cap in May, PEPE has lost 73% of its value, according to CoinGecko. Trading volume once surpassed both Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), but declining momentum suggests growing skepticism among retail traders.
👉 Discover how market dynamics shape meme coin success and find out what’s next after PEPE.
Why Centralization Is a Red Flag for Meme Coins
Meme coins thrive on community engagement and decentralized participation. Yet, when early whales dominate supply and profit extraction begins immediately post-launch, it undermines trust and discourages long-term holding.
Analysts point out that retail investors often enter too late, after the most profitable phase has passed. By the time mainstream attention arrives, much of the upside potential has already been realized by insiders or early miners.
This pattern isn’t unique to PEPE—it's a recurring issue across many fast-rising meme tokens. The danger lies in what happens when large holders decide to exit: sudden sell-offs can crash prices, leaving average investors with losses.
Moreover, low liquidity amplifies price swings. With fewer tokens freely trading on exchanges, even moderate buy or sell orders can cause disproportionate movements—making these assets highly speculative.
For traders seeking better opportunities, the focus is shifting toward newer projects with fairer distribution models and stronger community foundations.
$WSM: A New Chapter in Retail Investor Empowerment
Inspired by the GameStop short squeeze saga—a moment when retail investors united on platforms like Reddit to challenge Wall Street giants—Wall Street Memes ($WSM) aims to turn digital rebellion into a sustainable crypto movement.
$WSM is more than just another meme coin; it represents a cultural shift toward democratizing finance. The project is currently in its **presale phase**, having already raised close to **$5 million**, with strong momentum building toward its $50,000 NFT airdrop campaign running throughout the sale period.
At a starting price of just $0.0277 per token**, $WSM offers early supporters a chance to get in before exchange listing. With 30 presale stages planned, the price will gradually rise to $0.0337, securing early buyers a built-in gain of nearly 22%** before any market action.
Post-listing, analysts project the token could reach $0.50, representing a potential return of over 19x for early investors—making it one of the most watched new meme launches of 2025.
Elon Musk and other influencers have amplified awareness around Wall Street Memes, further fueling interest. Unlike PEPE, $WSM emphasizes broad distribution and community ownership, aiming to prevent the kind of whale-dominated structure that plagued earlier meme coins.
👉 See how decentralized movements are reshaping crypto—and how you can get involved early.
$AI: Bridging Artificial Intelligence and Meme Culture
While $WSM channels financial rebellion, **AiDoge ($AI) fuses two powerful trends: artificial intelligence** and internet memes. This innovative platform allows users to generate memes using AI tools and share them on a public wall where others can vote, like, or reject content.
The most popular creations earn their creators **$AI tokens** as rewards—turning creativity into income. Users can also use $AI for staking, voting on platform developments, purchasing premium features, and accessing exclusive content.
With its presale nearing $15 million**, AiDoge demonstrates strong investor confidence. Tokens are available for purchase at **$0.0000336 USDT ahead of the official exchange listing on June 19, 2025.
What sets AiDoge apart is its functional utility. Unlike pure speculative tokens, $AI powers an interactive ecosystem where engagement drives value. As AI-generated content becomes more mainstream, platforms like AiDoge could sit at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and digital ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes Pepe coin risky for new investors?
Pepe coin’s high concentration among whale wallets means price movements are easily manipulated. With 71% of supply held by large investors and declining liquidity, new entrants face high risk of loss during sudden sell-offs.
Is $WSM a legitimate successor to PEPE?
While no project is guaranteed, $WSM benefits from strong cultural relevance, fair presale mechanics, and growing community support. Its ties to the GameStop movement give it narrative strength that many meme coins lack.
Can I still buy $AI before it lists on exchanges?
Yes. The AiDoge presale remains open until June 19, 2025. Investors can purchase $AI tokens directly through the official platform at a discounted rate before broader market availability.
How do AI-generated memes create value in crypto?
Platforms like AiDoge reward user-generated content with tokens, creating an incentive loop where participation increases engagement and demand for the underlying asset—turning viral culture into economic opportunity.
Are meme coins good long-term investments?
Most meme coins are highly speculative. However, those integrating real utility—like staking, governance, or creative tools—have better chances of lasting beyond initial hype cycles.
What should I watch for in new meme coin projects?
Look for fair token distribution, transparent teams, active communities, and some form of utility or innovation. Avoid projects with anonymous developers or overly aggressive marketing tactics.
Final Thoughts: The Evolution of Meme Coins
The era of purely hype-driven meme coins may be maturing. Projects like Pepe exposed the risks of centralized control and short-lived profit cycles. In response, next-generation tokens like $WSM** and **$AI are combining cultural resonance with improved economic design.
Whether driven by retail empowerment or AI innovation, these new entrants reflect a broader trend: the blending of internet culture with blockchain economics. For informed investors, opportunities lie not just in speculation—but in participating in movements that redefine value creation online.
👉 Stay ahead of the next big meme coin wave—explore emerging projects before they go mainstream.