Meme tokens have revolutionized the cryptocurrency sector by merging them with Internet culture. According to CoinGecko research, Peanut the Squirrel coin broke a record, reaching a market capitalization of $1 billion in just 11 days.
This achievement surpasses Dogecoin, which took 1,487 days to achieve the same goal. PNUT’s success highlights the strategies behind meme token dominance, where timing, virality and storytelling drive value.
Meme Token Era: PNUT and PEPE Set New Trends
Peanut the Squirrel’s momentum begins with its unique story. Inspired by a real squirrel separated from its caretaker by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), PNUT tapped into public outrage. Elon Musk spread the story on X, calling for support for the squirrel. Its adorable mascot, a squirrel in a cowboy hat, has enhanced its viral appeal.
A listing on Binance on November 11 fueled its market capitalization to surpass $1 billion within just a few days of launch.
PNUT’s rise reflects a new era of meme tokens, but other tokens have also achieved great success. Pepe, inspired by the famous green frog meme, reached $1 billion in just 19 days.
Its rise is based on virality on Reddit and X, combined with listings on Binance and KuCoin. Brett, built on the Base blockchain, reached this milestone in 28 days by capitalizing on the growing popularity of the platform.
Dogwifhat (WIF,) a dog-themed Token on Solana, reached $1 billion in 81 days using humor and community loyalty. SHIB, dubbed the “Dogecoin Killer,” reached the same milestone in 289 days with its viral marketing campaign.
In contrast, Dogecoin’s journey to the $1 billion mark took more than four years, relying on grassroots support and plenty of praise from Elon Musk.
Meme tokens have evolved to rely on speed, emotion, and strategic launches. PNUT launched during the peak of animal-inspired tokens, while Solana’s low-cost infrastructure has enhanced its adoption. Older tokens like Floki Inu, which took 775 days to reach $1 billion, have shown that adapting utility beyond memes ensures long-term relevance.
The animal-themed meme token trend appears to be transcending community boundaries, finding popularity in popular culture. Peanut the Squirrel has inspired memes and merchandise, with its cowboy hat-wearing mascot becoming a favorite of social media creators.
The TikTok challenge with PNUT has increased its appeal among a younger audience unfamiliar with cryptocurrency, while changes in the political arena due to Trump’s re-election are upheaval for older investors.
“Just saw the craziest deal I’ve ever seen. US Representative Mike Collins just bought up to 30K USD of a cryptocurrency called ‘Ski Mask Dog’. It looks like it has a market cap of less than $100 million,” one account said share on X.
Other tokens like Pepe have gained increased attention through meme culture festivals and art exhibitions, showcasing the frog’s famous image. Shiba Inu sponsors petting shelters and animal welfare events, expanding its appeal beyond crypto enthusiasts to animal lovers. Floki Inu has launched global advertising campaigns and partnered with major sports teams, becoming a household name in sports.
Meme tokens like PNUT and PEPE reveal their market-changing potential, but they also highlight some risks. The heavy dependence on social emotions makes these Tokens volatile and prone to sudden changes in value.
Listings on exchanges amplify their growth but also open up intense speculation. Investors must balance the high reward potential with the risks of trending markets and ask themselves: Is this token just a fleeting moment?
Peanut the Squirrel and his colleagues represent a new era of cryptocurrency, combining culture, community and creativity. Whether this trend will shape the future of digital assets or fade away as a speculative excess, the Token meme revolution continues to grow.