Let's be real. When you hear "meme coin," you probably think "scam," "pump and dump," or maybe just a waste of perfectly good Solana. I get it. We all know the crypto space is riddled with rug pulls and pipe dreams. But how would you feel if I said that some Solana meme coins can truly create community wealth. Not merely enrich the shareholders of IPOs, but actually democratize access?

Meme Coins Are Tools, Not Just Toys

Think about it. What is a meme coin, really, at a fundamental level? It's a digital token, yes, but more importantly, it's a community. That’s the kind of shared sense of humor that heartens these divided times. This shared identity becomes an important asset for organizing and mobilizing political action. We’ve witnessed the explosion in Solana meme coins such as $BONK and $WIF following a brutal year to date this 2023. The full weight of the people rushing in and sure enough many of them are only looking for the fast flip. But I’d argue that it’s deeper than all that.

It feels to me, at least, like the wild west internet days. Recall the days when online communities were derided as the silly interactivity? Today, those same communities are winning on elections, powering social movements, and creating billion-dollar startups. And meme coins can be just that – if we have the courage to use them properly.

Well, put aside your Lambo dreams for a minute—they’re called unicorns, after all. Let’s talk about real, tangible value.

Community First, Gains Follow

Here are five Solana meme coins that I believe have the potential to foster actual community wealth, not just fleeting hype, with a little bit of my opinions on them:

  1. Solaxy ($SOLX): (I didn't get a chance to research this one, so I'm going to be honest: I don't know much about it. Do your own research!) But the key is, does the project focus on community engagement?
  2. Non-playable Coin ($NPC): (Again, DYOR! But consider this: can $NPC foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose?)
  3. Housecoin ($HOUSE): Up 31% in the last 24 hours? Okay, the momentum is there. But why? Is it just speculation, or is there a genuine community driving the price? Look deeper.
  4. ai16z ($AI16Z): Up 168% in the last month – that's impressive. But is it sustainable? Is the community actively involved in shaping the project's direction? Or is it just a few whales manipulating the market?
  5. [Your own pick]: Do your own research, find a coin that resonates with you, and see if the community is actually building something.

I would love to see Doge, Shiba, and other meme coin communities funding local public art projects. I’d like to see them doing more to reach small businesses located in underserved communities. So I’m hoping to see them increasingly focused on educational resources, on really empowering people with financial literacy.

  • Active Community: Are people genuinely engaged, or are they just shilling the coin?
  • Governance: Can token holders vote on project decisions?
  • Use Cases: Is the coin being used for anything beyond speculation?
  • Transparency: Is the team open and honest about their plans?

Beyond Speculation: Real-World Impact

That's where the real potential lies. That’s how we can take meme coins from parlors to pumps, and jokes into social goods.

I’m not trying to pretend that such progress will be easy. The risks are real. Scams are rampant. Volatility is the name of the game. Through responsible investigation and skepticism, we can all learn to use meme coins to our advantage. Join us in focusing on creating a more equitable and empowered future for our region.

Unexpected connection? Consider meme coins as decentralized digital cooperatives, with each holder as an economic stakeholder and autocratic voter. It’s a powerful opportunity to reimagine how we collectively structure and generate wealth. We know the old financial system hasn’t been working for all of us. And perhaps these goofy ass little digital coins will allow us to do quite a bit better.

Anxiety trigger? Yes, you could lose money. Yes, there are risks. The greater danger is remaining trapped in a system that has stopped serving you.

Seek coins that allow holders to vote on the direction of project development. That's real power.

Community Governance? Look for coins that let holders vote on project direction. That's real power.

Don't just ape in. Build.