New kids are chasing memecoins first. A fresh-faced crypto rookie, eyes wide, wallet ready, but instead of diving straight into Bitcoin or Ethereum, they jump to the most speculative sector.

Gemini’s 2025 report revealed that a solid 31% of new US investors buy memecoins before even thinking about the heavy hitters.

The first steps?

It ain’t just a US thing, actually. Globally, over 30% of first-time crypto buyers take the memecoin route to get their feet wet, learning wallets, tokenomics, and how to play the on-chain game. It’s like starting with training wheels before hopping on the Harley.

Honestly, while memecoins might seem like the wild, unpredictable kids on the block, over 94% of those memecoin holders eventually graduate to the big leagues, Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Makes sense, right? Memecoins are the flashy gateway drug, but the real long-term game is with the mature, stable assets.

Analysts have been clear, if you want stability, you gotta look to the veterans, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Memecoins?

They’re fun, sure, but more like a stepping stone than a final destination. DeFi commentator Ignas put it nicely, saying it’s not just about blind hype anymore.

“Your analytical & research skills can be put to action again.”

The power of the narrative

Justin Sun, the brains behind Tron Blockchain and Huobi Global advisor, nailed it when he said memecoins grab attention like no other. Regardless of we like this or not.

“If you get attention from everybody, you can actually control the universe.”

In today’s economy, attention is power, and memes? They’re the ultimate attention magnets.

But what’s more surprising, institutional investors are stepping up their game too. Not in memecoins, tho.

About 39% of US crypto investors now hold their assets through ETFs, up from 37% last year. Most of them mix it up—holding crypto both in exchange wallets and ETFs.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs are the hot ticket, pulling in hundreds of billions and sending Bitcoin prices growing.

Warmup

This May alone, 11 US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs saw a net inflow of $5.77 billion, the biggest since November 2024.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust led the charge, with Bitcoin’s price blasting past $110,000.

BlackRock even boosted its Bitcoin ETF holdings by 25%, holding nearly 2.1 million shares worth almost a billion dollars.

Blockstream CEO Adam Back thinks BlackRock’s growing love affair with crypto assets could push Bitcoin prices even higher.

So, whether you’re chasing memes or riding the more modest ETF wave, the crypto world’s buzzing, and it’s likely only getting louder.

Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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