- Meme coins are now the top entry point into crypto, with over 30% of new investors starting their journey with them, according to Gemini’s 2025 report.
- Over 94% of meme coin holders go on to invest in major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, highlighting their role as educational onramps to the broader crypto market.
In a surprising twist for the crypto landscape, meme coins have become the number one gateway for new investors entering the space, according to Gemini’s 2025 State of Crypto Report. Once dismissed as frivolous internet jokes, these digital assets now play a vital role in onboarding first-time users into the broader world of cryptocurrencies.
Gemini’s study, which surveyed over 7,200 respondents across six countries, found that more than 30% of new crypto users start with meme coins. In the U.S. alone, 31% of investors who hold both meme coins and established cryptocurrencies said they purchased meme tokens first.
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But aren’t just speculative thrills—they’re educational tools. Over 94% of memecoin holders go on to invest in more established assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and crypto-based ETFs. As Gemini puts it, meme coins act like “training wheels,” helping users learn about wallets, tokenomics, and blockchain transactions.
This shift comes as institutional interest and political support for crypto grows. In the U.S., 39% of investors now access crypto through ETFs, highlighting a maturing market where retail enthusiasm and institutional products increasingly intersect.
With a total market cap of $74.4 billion, according to CoinGecko, have cemented their place in the digital asset ecosystem. Online communities, viral trends, and low financial barriers make meme coins a culturally resonant way to democratize crypto access.
Notably, political figures like Donald Trump have amplified interest through pro-crypto rhetoric, including a proposal for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This alignment of retail hype, policy support, and investment infrastructure could be key to pushing crypto into the financial mainstream.
While meme coins offer an accessible entry point, experts like DeFi analyst Ignas stress the importance of deeper research and transitioning toward fundamentally sound assets. As the market evolves, meme coins are proving to be more than fleeting trends—they’re now essential catalysts in crypto adoption.
