Why Meme Coins Thrive: Justin Sun Breaks Down the Internet Attention-to-Profit Formula

In a recent conversation with Late Point, crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun unveiled a compelling perspective on meme coin dynamics—they fundamentally operate as mechanisms that transform viral internet moments into monetary value. His analysis cuts through the hype surrounding these digital assets.

Sun illustrated his point with a thought experiment: if a Biden coin were launched today, it would likely face a purchasing wall despite the name’s global recognition. The distinction is crucial—Biden represents a political figure and title, not yet an established internet IP or cultural meme with the magnetism that drives token adoption.

The Recognition Gap That Matters

This observation highlights a critical barrier in the meme coin ecosystem: anyone possesses the technical capability to create a token, yet achieving authentic market recognition demands far more. The gap between “token issuance” and “token adoption” represents the real challenge. Merely existing as a digital asset provides no guarantee of value or community traction.

Dominating the Attention Economy

According to Sun’s framework, success in meme coin ventures requires participants to capture and hold significant mindshare within internet culture. Those that transcend being mere projects and become actual memes—with genuine cultural resonance and storytelling power—are positioned as winners. The ability to resonate with online communities and maintain viral relevance becomes the differentiating factor.

The insight underscores why certain meme tokens flourish while countless others fade into obscurity: it’s not the token itself, but the internet attention economy surrounding it.