- Meme coins, which have captivated cryptocurrency investors with their volatility, have come into the spotlight recently.
- In 2021, during the bull market, meme coins surged in popularity, attracting the attention of institutional investors.
- Bybit, a cryptocurrency exchange, reported a significant increase in institutional investments in meme coins, reaching almost $300 million in April 2021.
Discover the burgeoning trend of meme coins as institutional investments soar, a shift that highlights their growing appeal beyond individual investors.
Institutional Investors Flock to Top Meme Coin Projects
According to Bybit’s latest report, institutional investments in meme coins have skyrocketed by over 300% this year, peaking at nearly $300 million in April. This inflow suggests that meme coins are gaining traction among professional investors. The report notes that institutions prefer projects with high liquidity, prominently featuring Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB).
Key Meme Coin Projects Leading Institutional Interest
Bybit’s report specifies that institutional investors are gravitating towards meme coins with superior liquidity. Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) top the preference list, according to data available exclusively on Bybit. The report also highlights an emerging meme coin on the Solana network, BONK, which has drawn an investment exceeding $75 million.
Trends in Institutional and Individual Investments
The report outlines investment trends showing that as institutions seek profits, meme coin investments have dipped nearly by half to $125 million in May. Concurrently, stablecoin investments decreased from $1.7 billion to $1.4 billion, while investments in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and meme coins increased.
The Perspective of Individual Investors
As of May 1, DOGE remains the largest meme coin investment among both institutional and individual investors. Institutions allocated a more substantial portion of their funds to DOGE (36.17%) compared to individual investors (24.58%). The report states, “Both groups view DOGE as a fundamental asset in the meme coin space, although institutions likely prefer its higher liquidity and relative stability.”
Both user groups are also satisfied with Ethereum-based meme coins like PEPE and SHIB. Individual investors hold 20.95% and 14.61% of these coins, compared to institutions, which hold 22.23% and 10.39%, respectively. Ethereum and Solana ecosystem meme tokens have emerged as a way to bet on the growth of their respective blockchains.
Conclusion
The influx of institutional investments into meme coins indicates a shift, showcasing their potential beyond just individual investors. With high liquidity meme coins like DOGE and SHIB leading the charge, and new entrants like BONK gaining traction, it is clear that the meme coin market is evolving. As institutional interest continues to grow, the landscape of meme coins may witness significant transformations, offering intriguing opportunities and challenges ahead.
