How to Create a Meme Coin in 9 Steps (Free and Paid Options)

Author
Author
Eliman Dambell
About Author

Eliman Dambell was a news writer and editor at Bitcoin.com, FXStreet and Investing.com. He commentates on various markets, including Crypto, Stocks and FX.

Fact Checked by
Crypto Editor
Ilija Rankovic
About Author

...

Last updated: 
Why Trust Cryptonews
Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas - from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews
Disclosure: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. By using this website, you agree to our terms and conditions. We may utilise affiliate links within our content, and receive commission. You can read more about our editorial policy here.

Meme coins like Pepe, Shiba Inu, and Bonk have reached billions in value. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a meme coin, this step-by-step guide provides a complete overview of the process. We’ll cover budget-friendly options to well-funded projects.

Table of Contents
  1. In This Article
    1. 1) Define The Purpose and Theme
    2. 2) Choose a Blockchain Network
    3. 3) Create a Crypto Wallet
    4. 4) Create Your Meme Coin Smart Contract
    5. 5) Audit the Smart Contract (Optional)
    6. 6) Deploy the Token to Your Chosen Blockchain
    7. 7) Create Liquidity Pool (Required to Enable Trading)
    8. 8) Launch Website and Whitepaper
    9. 9) List Your Coin on DEXes or CEXes
    1. 🟢 Use a DIY Meme Coin Generator: $0 - $200
    2. 💰 Custom Smart Contract Development: $500 - $3000+
    1. 🟢 Basic Automated Audit: $100 - $500
    2. 💰 Professional Security Audit: $2,000 - $10,000+
    1. 🟢 Basic DIY Website: $50 - $300/year
    2. 💰 Professional Site and Whitepaper Design: $1,000 - $5,000+
    1. 🟢 Organic Strategy (Socials + Memes): $0 - $500
    2. 💰 Influencer Marketing/Paid Ads: $1,000 - $20,000+
    1. 🟢 Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Liquidity Pool: $500 - $10,000+
    2. 💰 Centralized Exchange Listings: $2,000 - $100,000+
    1. Grow Social Media Profiles Before Launch
    2. Partner with Influencers for the Launch
    3. Running Contests, Giveaways, and Airdrops
    4. Piggyback on Trends and Pop Culture
    1. Build a Meme Coin with Real Utility
    2. Tap into Trending Events and Communities
    3. Locked Liquidity and Full Transparency
  1. In This Article
    1. 1) Define The Purpose and Theme
    2. 2) Choose a Blockchain Network
    3. 3) Create a Crypto Wallet
    4. 4) Create Your Meme Coin Smart Contract
    5. 5) Audit the Smart Contract (Optional)
    6. 6) Deploy the Token to Your Chosen Blockchain
    7. 7) Create Liquidity Pool (Required to Enable Trading)
    8. 8) Launch Website and Whitepaper
    9. 9) List Your Coin on DEXes or CEXes
  2. Show Full Guide
    1. 🟢 Use a DIY Meme Coin Generator: $0 - $200
    2. 💰 Custom Smart Contract Development: $500 - $3000+
    1. 🟢 Basic Automated Audit: $100 - $500
    2. 💰 Professional Security Audit: $2,000 - $10,000+
    1. 🟢 Basic DIY Website: $50 - $300/year
    2. 💰 Professional Site and Whitepaper Design: $1,000 - $5,000+
    1. 🟢 Organic Strategy (Socials + Memes): $0 - $500
    2. 💰 Influencer Marketing/Paid Ads: $1,000 - $20,000+
    1. 🟢 Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Liquidity Pool: $500 - $10,000+
    2. 💰 Centralized Exchange Listings: $2,000 - $100,000+
    1. Grow Social Media Profiles Before Launch
    2. Partner with Influencers for the Launch
    3. Running Contests, Giveaways, and Airdrops
    4. Piggyback on Trends and Pop Culture
    1. Build a Meme Coin with Real Utility
    2. Tap into Trending Events and Communities
    3. Locked Liquidity and Full Transparency

What is a Meme Coin?


A meme coin is a type of cryptocurrency coin or token that’s inspired by a meme, a slice of internet culture, or a point of view. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which solve a problem by providing utility, meme coins typically have no utility whatsoever. Their reason for existence typically centers on fun, although some, like Shiba Inu or Floki, have evolved to become much larger projects.

Meme coins often use a mascot, with dogs and frogs among the most popular. These coins may be true coins (with their own blockchain), but more often, they are tokens that exist on another blockchain. For example, Dogecoin has its own chain, whereas PEPE is a token on the Ethereum blockchain. Communities gather around these coins, investing and trading their favorites.

How to Create a Meme Coin in 9 Steps


Creating a meme coin can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires a clear understanding of the steps involved. In this section, we’ll break down the process into manageable steps, providing guidance and tips along the way. Let’s get started with the reason your token exists.

1) Define The Purpose and Theme

Start by defining the why, and then flesh out the details. It’s time to define the tone, personality, and unique characteristics of your coin. What makes it funny, relatable, or interesting? What kind of community do you want to attract?

Consider these questions:

  • What is the main idea, viral trend, or joke behind your meme coin?
  • Is there a tone you want to convey: humorous, sarcastic, ironic, or playful?
  • What kind of community do you want to attract: degens, gamers, artists, musicians, or fans of a particular TV show or movie?
  • Which core values and principles does your project embrace?

Having a clear purpose and theme will help guide the rest of your project and help ensure that the community understands it as well as you do.

meme coin themes

2) Choose a Blockchain Network

With your purpose and theme defined, it’s time to select a blockchain network on which to build your meme coin. The choice of network will depend on several factors, including the size of your community, the complexity of your coin, and your budget. However, it is also essential to know which chain your target audience calls home. That alone may drive the decision.

Here’s a brief overview of some popular blockchain networks for meme coins.

Blockchain Network Avg. Smart Contract Cost Pros and Cons
Solana Relatively low (e.g., $1 – $10 per simple contract deployment, though complex contracts can be more) Pros: Fast transaction speed, Low transaction fees, Growing ecosystem, Booming meme coin market.
Cons: Smaller ecosystem compared to Ethereum, Network congestion issues, Occasional outages.
Ethereum High (e.g., $50 – $500+ per simple contract deployment, significantly more during high gas periods) Pros: Largest DeFi ecosystem, High liquidity, Strong security, Highly decentralized.
Cons: High transaction fees, Slower transaction speeds.
Binance Smart Chain (BNB Chain) Low (e.g., $0.50 – $5 per simple contract deployment) Pros: Low transaction fees, Faster transaction speeds than Ethereum, EVM-compatible.
Cons: More centralized compared to Ethereum and Solana, Concerns about censorship resistance, Less developer tooling.
Base Chain Very low (often pennies or fractions of a penny for simple contract deployments) Pros: Low transaction fees, Fast transaction speeds, Backed by Coinbase, EVM-compatible.
Cons: Newer network, Smaller ecosystem compared to Ethereum and Solana, Still evolving infrastructure.

For many meme projects, Solana may be the right choice. Although Ethereum offers more liquidity and Base has low fees, Solana is already known for its vibrant meme coin communities and offers a generally inexpensive way to deploy to the chain.

3) Create a Crypto Wallet

With your blockchain network chosen, it’s time to create a crypto wallet to manage your meme coin’s funds and interact with the blockchain. To maintain privacy and keep your project’s funds separate from your personal funds, consider setting up a new wallet dedicated solely to your project.

Depending on your chosen blockchain, there are different wallets you can choose from. Best Wallet is a leading multi-chain wallet that is a top choice for ease of use, or you can consider MetaMask for Ethereum or Phantom for Solana.

Visit Best Wallet

Having a dedicated wallet for your project will make it easier to manage your funds, pay for transaction fees, and interact with other users and developers on the blockchain. It’s an essential step in building a successful meme coin project. Expect a few crypto sleuths to investigate the wallet. For privacy, it’s best to create a new wallet and fund it directly from an exchange.

Guide: How to Choose a Crypto Wallet

4) Create Your Meme Coin Smart Contract

Let’s explore ways to create the meme coin token contract that controls your token’s characteristics and defines which wallets can interact with the token. We’ll start with the cheapest option: token generators and meme launchpads.

A) Use a Token Generator (Free/Low-Cost)

Let’s learn how to create a meme coin for free. In this example, we’ll only pay gas fees. Several platforms allow you to make a meme coin in just a few steps. We’ll use the Ape Store Meme Coin Generator on the Base network. Ape Store also supports Ethereum and BSC. Similar platforms support Solana.

1. Click on Create Token and connect your wallet. As discussed earlier, it’s wise to start with a fresh wallet funded from an exchange.

ape store connect wallet

2. Add the token’s details. Choose your chain and enter the token’s details, including its name, ticker symbol, image, and description. If you have a website and accounts on social media platforms, you can link them here.

ape store add token details

3. Deploy your token. You will have the opportunity to purchase some of the token supply at this stage.

ape store deploy token

4. Sign the transaction and the token creation begins. If you didn’t buy any of the token supply when deployed, your costs should be minimal. We paid $0.03 in gas fees.

cost to make a meme coin

After deploying your token, your meme coin is live on the Ape Store platform. Here, speculators bid up the price but can also sell if they doubt the coin’s success. Ape store uses a bonding curve that increases the token price as more of the supply is purchased.

If or when the token’s market cap reaches $69,000, the Ape Store creates a liquidity pool on Uniswap, allowing more buyers to trade the token.

meme coin token

Similar platforms exist, including Pump.Fun on Solana and PinkSale, which supports several blockchains and offers more options for tokenomics.

B) Write a Custom Smart Contract

While generators can be a convenient and cost-effective way to create a smart contract, writing a custom smart contract can offer several advantages. The earlier example using Ape Store creates a billion tokens with no options for taxes, automated burns, or eligibility rules. A custom contract allows for more complex functionality.

If you decide to outsource the development of your custom smart contract, you’ll need to provide a clear and detailed specification of your requirements to the developer.

  • A description of the token’s purpose and functionality
  • The desired tokenomics, including supply, distribution, and vesting schedules
  • Any specific features or mechanics you want to include
  • Information about the blockchain network you’re using (e.g., Solana, Ethereum, etc.)
  • Any relevant technical requirements or constraints

You can find developers through online marketplaces, such as Upwork or Fiverr, or by connecting with professional networks, including GitHub or LinkedIn. Ask your prospective hire which other coins they have created.

  • Clearly define your project’s requirements and scope
  • Establish a budget and payment terms
  • Agree upon a timeline and milestones
  • Ensure the developer has experience with your chosen blockchain network and smart contract language (e.g., Solidity for EVM chains, Rust for Solana, etc.)

Although slower and more costly, hiring a developer allows for more customization, enabling you to build the token ecosystem you envision.

hire a smart contract dev on fiverr

5) Audit the Smart Contract (Optional)

Auditing your smart contract can help identify potential security vulnerabilities. This can be especially important for complex contracts. An exploit can destroy a project.

Online tools like Honeypot.is and Tokensniffer can perform basic tests on your contract once it’s been deployed. For more advanced audits, consider hiring a professional auditing company like Trail of Bits or CertiK.

certik smart contract audit

6) Deploy the Token to Your Chosen Blockchain

Launch platforms like Ape Store and Pump.Fun automatically deploy your token contract to the blockchain.

If you have a custom-coded contract, it’s time to deploy your token to your chosen blockchain.

Compile the code. For example, you can use a Solidity compiler, such as solc, for an ERC-20 token. Then, use a wallet or infrastructure provider to deploy it to the blockchain network. You’ll pay gas fees for the transaction.

Once deployed, your token will be live and accessible to the public. Test and verify everything is working as expected before announcing your token’s launch to the community.

7) Create Liquidity Pool (Required to Enable Trading)

A liquidity pool provides a way for investors to buy and sell your coin. If you’re using a launch platform, this happens automatically after bonding is complete. To create a liquidity pool manually, use a popular decentralized exchange, such as Uniswap (EVM chains) or Orca (Solana).

A full-range pool requires equal values of your token and the paired token (usually ETH or SOL). Many times, meme coin developers lock the liquidity in a smart contract or burn it by sending it to an unrecoverable wallet address.

liquidity pool

8) Launch Website and Whitepaper

Once your token is live or shortly before, push your website to the server along with your whitepaper. This allows potential buyers to learn more about your token and its features.

9) List Your Coin on DEXes or CEXes

At a minimum, many meme coin developers list their coin on Dexscreener ($299), a high-traffic liquidity pool data site featuring charts and links to coin data. Other options include Dextools and Gecko Terminal.

You can also list with token data sites like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko. However, these platforms typically use a more robust screening process and can be costly. For example, CoinMarketCap listings cost $5,000.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Meme Coin?


The cost of starting your own meme coin can vary significantly, especially around your marketing strategies. While there are free options, many meme coin developers invest thousands to launch a project. Paid options often include marketing support, audits to reduce exploit risk, and other services.

If you’re the DIY type or you’re working with a tight budget, a barebones launch may offer the best option. Costs generally range from $0 to $1,500. Expect to invest more time. You’ll often become the face of the project, responsible for building and maintaining the website, social media, and meme galleries.

Paid options range from $3,000 up to $100,000 or more. In this case, you’re paying experienced teams or using established platforms to launch your meme coin. Added features may include additional marketing, custom websites to showcase your meme, and audits to ensure the token’s security.

How much does it cost to create a meme coin?

Meme Coin Launch Type Estimated Cost Key Features
Barebones DIY $0 – $1,500 Limited marketing, basic website, no smart contract audit (or free basic audit)
Mid-Range $3,000 – $10,000 Social media marketing, custom website, basic smart contract audit
Professional Launch $10,000 – $100,000+ Comprehensive marketing, advanced website, thorough smart contract audit

We’ll explain each of these in more detail in later sections, providing examples of both low-cost and premium options. We’ll also detail the individual elements, such as token creation platforms, smart contracts and whitepapers, so you have a better understanding, whether you’re creating a DIY token or paying for services.

Let’s start with the token and its associated smart contract.

1) Token Creation and Smart Contract Costs


First, let’s cover some basic mechanics. A smart contract refers to a computer program that works on the blockchain. In this case, the smart contract is responsible for creating tokens in a process called minting.

The smart contract defines the rules for the token, including its ticker symbol, the total number of tokens, whether additional tokens can be minted, and which wallets are authorized to buy or sell the token.

Your token’s smart contract automatically enforces all these rules, ensuring the token behaves consistently and transparently. However, a vulnerability in the smart contract could lead to an exploit, such as minting new tokens. We also discuss the importance of audits in more detail.

Now, let’s explore some budget-friendly DIY options.

🟢 Use a DIY Meme Coin Generator: $0 – $200

You don’t need programming skills to create a meme coin and its smart contract. A DIY meme coin generator is a tool that allows you to create a token and a smart contract by using a template and choosing options.

For example, platforms like Coin Factory allow you to generate meme coins for Solana or EVM-compatible networks (Ethereum Virtual Machine chains, such as Base, Arbitrum, or Polygon) using pre-built templates.

The costs for these services start around $50, depending on the specific blockchain network.

pump fun meme coin creator

As an alternative, launchpads like Pump.Fun (Solana) or Ape Store (Base) provide a streamlined way to launch your meme coin with minimal upfront costs. These platforms use simplified templates with limited customization options, enabling you to deploy a token in minutes for a few dollars.

Tokens created on launchpads often start life on the platform itself, where speculators bid on new projects. Popular platforms require your token’s market cap to reach a threshold (e.g., $69,000) before it can be deployed across the best decentralized exchanges.

While DIY options are cost-effective, expect some tradeoffs:

  • Immediate marketing pressure: If you use a launchpad, you’ll need to promote your token aggressively on social media to reach the market cap required for DEX deployment.
  • Limited customization: Meme coin generators and launchpads often restrict advanced features, such as custom tokenomics or unique utility.
  • Hidden costs: Budget at least $300+ for eventual DEX listing fees (discussed later).

For projects needing tailored rules or advanced mechanics, hiring a developer for custom smart contract work may be necessary. Let’s explore that next.

💰 Custom Smart Contract Development: $500 – $3000+

DIY token creation is effective for basic memes, where community involvement and meme content drive success. But specialized mechanics require custom development. For example, you may want to tie your token to non-fungible token (NFT) ownership or reward holders with a yield paid from transaction fees. Your smart contract can automate these features or others you might need.

  • NFT-gated access: Restrict token purchases to holders of a specific NFT.
  • Holder rewards: Share transaction fees automatically with wallets that hold your token.
  • Deflationary burns: Destroy tokens with every trade to reduce supply.

Custom smart contracts bypass template limitations, giving you full design control — but at a higher cost. Look for a blockchain developer skilled in Solidity (for Ethereum/EVMs) or Rust (for Solana). Costs vary by complexity.

  • Basic setups ($500–$1,500): Includes features such as fixed supply or transaction taxes (fees paid by buyers or sellers, often used to fund marketing or project costs).
  • Advanced builds ($1,500–$3,000+): Covers mechanics like NFT integrations or tiered taxes. For example, your contract may charge higher transaction fees for short-term traders.

Freelance platforms like Upwork enable you to vet developers based on ratings and reviews. Prioritize candidates with proven experience in meme coins.

While pricier upfront, custom contracts with features like automated burns or revenue sharing help your project stand out in a crowded market dominated by generic template-based tokens. As a caveat, increased customization also increases complexity, which can potentially lead to higher audit costs.

2) Smart Contract Auditing


Even the most carefully coded smart contracts can contain hidden vulnerabilities. Audits test for unexpected behaviors and search for potential security flaws or logic errors before your meme coin goes live. Think of it like proofreading code — except mistakes could lead to exploits that drain funds or mint unlimited tokens.

In May 2024, the popular $NORMIE token on Base suffered a hack in which the attacker found a way to mint new tokens. After the token’s market cap fell from $41 million to $35,000, the team was forced to relaunch with a more secure token. After the relaunch, the token plummeted.

normie meme coin relaunch

While basic automated checks offer affordability, professional audits provide deeper analysis. Audits can bolster investor confidence and prevent exploits by giving you a chance to fix the code before launch.

Let’s break down the two main approaches: basic automated audits and professional security audits.

🟢 Basic Automated Audit: $100 – $500

Smart contract automated audits use software tools to scan your code for known security vulnerabilities and errors. These tools can help identify common issues, such as reentrancy attacks, integer overflows, and uninitialized variables. The cost of a basic automated audit typically ranges from $100 to $500, depending on the contract’s complexity and the tool used.

For example, Consensys Diligence Fuzzing offers access to automated tools for scanning vulnerabilities. The platform stress-tests your smart contract with millions of transactions, simulating an attacker. While the service offers a free plan, paid plans provide longer durations and raise caps on runs.

consensys diligence fuzzing

However, basic automated audits may not catch all vulnerabilities. Concerns unique to your contract or requiring a deep understanding of the code’s intent and functionality may be missed. As contract complexity increases, automated audits may become less viable.

💰 Professional Security Audit: $2,000 – $10,000+

Professional audits involve a thorough, manual review of your smart contract code by experienced security experts. As mentioned, complex contracts often benefit from a hands-on approach and a deeper understanding of contract functions. A professional audit will provide a summary of findings and recommended fixes.

For example, companies like Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin, and CertiK offer professional security audit services. CertiK’s approach combines the benefits of automated testing with the expertise of human auditors.

certik meme coin audit

Professional security audits cost more than basic automated audits, with costs ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, but they contribute to your project’s long-term success. Prices vary depending on the complexity of the contract and the scope of the audit.

While costlier, professional audits provide a higher level of assurance that your contract is secure. The investment helps avoid catastrophic exploits and reputational damage, but can also act as a selling feature.

3) Website and Whitepaper Creation


One of the first things a prospective buyer will do is visit your website. First impressions count, so ensure the site is visually appealing and provides all the information a buyer would need.

Consider adding this content to the site:

  • Token contract address and chain
  • How to buy
  • Tokenonics (max supply, mintable, locked tokens, burned supply, taxes)
  • Special features or requirements
  • Narrative or storyline
  • Links to meme content, whitepaper, and other related content
  • FAQ section

Optionally, add a team section. However, many meme coin developers and teams prefer to use pseudonyms.

A whitepaper is a detailed document that outlines the project’s technical specifications, use cases, and potential applications. In many cases, this isn’t strictly necessary. Dogecoin didn’t launch with one.

However, if your token contract offers more complex features, such as fee-sharing or automatic burning, this might be the best place to detail how they work.

You can create the website and the whitepaper on your own, or you can outsource the work. The costs of creating a website, its artwork, content, and whitepaper can vary widely. Simpler sites can cost $1,000 or less, whereas more elaborate sites might cost as much as $10,000 or more.

If you outsource, service providers may offer all of these as a bundle.

🟢 Basic DIY Website: $50 – $300/year

For a DIY approach, in whole or in part, you’ll need to invest in the following.

  • Domain name
  • Hosting
  • SSL certificate (for HTTPS secure web connections)

Hosting is likely to be the most expensive of these, although budget shared hosting packages can cost less than $5 per month. Choose a domain name that represents your meme coin well and purchase (or generate) an SSL certificate.

meme coin website templates

Several providers now offer meme coin website templates as a one-time purchase. You provide the content and artwork. Typical costs range from $20 to $30 for a basic template.

💰 Professional Site and Whitepaper Design: $1,000 – $5,000+

If you decide to outsource content creation or the website itself, expect to invest more, although much of this expenditure will be a one-time expense. Look for someone familiar with the space for your artwork and content. This helps ensure you connect with your target audience.

Expect to invest between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the complexity of your design and whitepaper. Similar to outsourcing the smart contract, you can find freelancers on platforms like Upwork or search for a full-service web design company.

4) Marketing and Community Building Costs


Your website acts as a hub for your meme coin, but you need to drive traffic and create awareness. The basics include social media accounts and memes. If you need a boost, consider influencer marketing or paid advertising to increase your visibility. Let’s look at what each entails.

🟢 Organic Strategy (Socials + Memes): $0 – $500

Most meme coins have a verified X account. This is a monthly subscription, currently $8 per month. Many meme coin developers also use a Telegram group as a gathering place for the community. A Telegram premium account may help protect your group from getting deleted and provide some premium features for the account owner. These include custom emojis for buy bots.

brett buy bot

If you choose to create a Telegram group for your meme coin, you’ll likely encounter some other expenses, such as sticker artwork, custom emojis, and buy-bot banners. You may also want to consider investing in community moderators or hiring a community manager. You’ll likely find some volunteers in your community, but be careful about setting permissions for mods and admins. A rogue admin can sink the ship.

💰 Influencer Marketing/Paid Ads: $1,000 – $20,000+

Optionally, you can advertise on DEX analytics sites, such as Dexscreener or Gecko Terminal, to help with your viral marketing. Many opt for Dexscreener due to the lower ad cost and higher traffic on the site. Prices start at about $300.

To maximize your exposure, consider collaborating with an influencer on X, YouTube, or other relevant platforms. These people already have a large audience and can drive traffic to your token. In some cases, the influencer will want a percentage of the meme coin’s supply. In other cases, they accept SOL or ETH for promoting your coin.

Many projects collaborate with a Key Opinion Leader (KOL), who is recognized for their expertise in the field. As with other outsourced areas, vet your prospects carefully. Given the larger amounts of money typically involved, impersonators and scams abound.

5) Exchange Listing Fees and Liquidity


Getting listed on crypto exchanges is crucial in making a successful meme coin. Listing provides liquidity, visibility, and accessibility to a wider audience. However, exchange listing fees can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000.

Most meme coins begin trading on decentralized exchanges. A much smaller subset makes it to centralized exchanges, such as Coinbase or Binance. Let’s explore the options and costs.

🟢 Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Liquidity Pool: $500 – $10,000+

A liquidity pool (LP) refers to tokens deposited in a smart contract. Traders can connect their crypto wallet and trade Token A for Token B.

The cost of starting the pool itself is often minimal. Think of the pool as a trading pair. For example, buyers can swap ETH for your token on an EVM chain or SOL on Solana. However, liquidity pools price each token relative to the supply of the other token.

A brand new pool will have a supply of the new meme token and likely very little of the paired token. This keeps the cost of starting the pool low. However, adding more of a paired token (such as ETH or SOL) will provide a better trading experience with reduced slippage.

DEX apps like Uniswap (EVM chains) and Orca (Solana) enable you to quickly build an LP. Orca even lets you create a token and pool simultaneously.

orca create pool

Creating the pool is the first step. To get eyes on your meme coin, you’ll also want at least one DEX listing. Most smaller projects opt for Dexscreener, which costs $300 for a listing. This provides a page where traders are already searching for meme coins. The page provides a chart, tokenomics, a description, a banner, and simple audit tools.

brett meme coin dexscreener

💰 Centralized Exchange Listings: $2,000 – $100,000+

Getting listed on a centralized exchange (CEX) typically takes a considerable amount of time and marks a significant milestone for a meme coin project. CEXs like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken offer high liquidity, visibility, and credibility, which can attract more investors to your project.

However, the process of getting listed on a CEX is often more rigorous and expensive than on a DEX. CEXs typically require a more extensive review of your project, but does increase your chances of a successful meme coin.

Centralized exchange listings can range from $2,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the exchange and the specific requirements. Some CEXs may charge a flat listing fee, while others may charge a percentage-based fee or require a minimum trading volume.

Additionally, CEXs often require projects to meet certain criteria, such as having a minimum market capitalization, trading volume, or community size. Exchanges like Kucoin, MEXC, or Gate.io typically list a wider selection of coins, possibly improving your odds of being accepted for a listing.

Why Create a Meme Coin?


Many might see profit as the primary reason to create a meme coin, but there are several reasons people aim to create the next best meme coins, ranging from community building to profit potential. Regardless of your reason, it’s often fun, both for the creator and the community.

Let’s examine some of the reasons people immortalize memes on the blockchain.

  • Community building: Meme coins often create a sense of community around a shared interest or joke. By creating a meme coin, you can build a community of like-minded individuals who share your sense of humor and values. Those community members also become an army of publicists, fighting to keep the chart moving up.
  • Creative expression: Meme coins offer a unique way to express yourself creatively and bring your ideas to life. Memes offer a perfect playground for artists, writers, developers, or anyone who can create new content. With the right community, the community itself will create new content to create awareness.
  • Profit potential: With some meme coins reaching millions or even billions in value, the profit motive becomes a popular reason to start a meme coin. However, if you want your coin to last, be prepared to hold your position for a while.
  • Low barriers to entry: You don’t need to create a new blockchain or a decentralized application to launch a meme coin. Many times, meme coins are relatively inexpensive to launch, although you may pay in sweat equity as you work to attract community members.
  • Marketing and promotion: Creating a meme coin can help you promote a brand, product, or service. Memes also raise awareness about specific issues or causes. Meme coins utilize social media platforms and online communities in innovative ways to increase awareness.

How to Market Your New Meme Coin


Marketing helps build active community engagement and grow awareness. Let’s discuss some effective ways to market your new meme coin.

Grow Social Media Profiles Before Launch

Before launch, focus on building a community on platforms like Twitter, Telegram, Discord, and Instagram. Share engaging content, respond to comments and messages, and collaborate with other projects to build your following.

create a telegram group

Partner with Influencers for the Launch

Identify influencers with a large following in the cryptocurrency and meme coin space, and reach out to them to collaborate. You can offer them a fee or a portion of your coin’s supply in exchange for their promotion. If you strike a deal, expect a pump, but the coin might lose some of its gains as the hype passes.

Running Contests, Giveaways, and Airdrops

Contests, giveaways, and airdrops can also help create a buzz around your coin and attract new followers. Targeted airdrops, which involve sending tokens to specific wallets, can also be an effective way to distribute your coin to a wider audience and create buzz around your project. Start slow and measure your success.

Piggyback on Trends and Pop Culture

Follow current events, viral trends, and pop culture happenings. Then, find ways to tie your coin to them. You can create memes, jokes, or other content that references current events or trends, sharing them on social media platforms. This approach leverages hot topics on social media sites to create awareness for your meme coin.

How to Make Your Meme Coin Stand Out


With so many meme coins on the market, it can be challenging to make yours stand out. However, you can differentiate your coin and attract a loyal following using a few key strategies.

Build a Meme Coin with Real Utility

Consider creating a coin that has a practical use case, such as a token that can be used to purchase merchandise or access exclusive content (token gating). Some projects also enable staking. Real-world applications encourage long-term holders.

Tap into Trending Events and Communities

Consider creating content that references current events or popular culture. You can also partner with influencers or communities that are relevant to your coin’s theme. The excitement surrounding trending events and an active community can create a buzz around your coin, attracting new users.

Locked Liquidity and Full Transparency

Finally, consider locking the liquidity pool and share the details with your community. DEX platforms will also show the liquidity as being locked. This step ensures that buyers can still sell to the liquidity pool if needed. Buyers want to know your coin isn’t a rug pull.

Trust begins with transparency. Share your roadmap and plans for the token. Help users find the information they need to feel confident about their investment. As you encounter questions, consider adding these to an FAQ section on your project website.

Is it Legal to Create a Meme Coin?


According to a recent statement by the SEC, typical meme coins do not constitute “securities” under federal law. However, this does not necessarily mean that creating a meme coin is entirely risk-free. A key distinction may center on whether your coin provides a yield and whether that yield paid to holders comes from the effort of others. This could render it an investment contract, as defined by the Howey Test.

Check the regulations for your state as well as federal rules. In some cases, states have stepped in where the federal government has not. For example, New Jersey sent a cease and desist order to Coinbase regarding its staking products.

Another consideration centers on copyrights. Memes that “borrow” intellectual property could draw legal trouble. Win or lose, the court process is costly.

How Can You Profit From Launching a Meme Coin?


There are several ways to profit from a meme coin, some of which may not be obvious. Let’s explore some of the possibilities.

  • Transaction fees: You can collect transaction fees from users who buy, sell, or trade your meme coin. Taxes can accomplish this goal if the feature is included in your token contract.
  • Token appreciation: If your meme coin gains popularity and its value increases, you can sell your holdings at a profit.
  • Liquidity pools: Creating a liquidity pool allows you to collect fees from users who trade your meme coin.
  • Merchandise and branding: You can sell merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, or other items, with your meme coin’s branding.

However, the likelihood of profiting from a meme coin is relatively low. The meme coin market remains highly competitive. Most projects fail to gain traction or retain value over time. While launching a meme coin can be highly profitable in some cases, it is essential to consider the risks as well.

What Are The Risks of Making a Meme Coin?


Creating a meme coin can be a fun and exciting venture, but it’s essential to understand the potential risks involved. Some of the risks include:

  • Market volatility: The value of your coin can fluctuate rapidly, and you may lose some or all of your investment.
  • Lack of adoption: The meme market is extremely crowded, so there’s no guarantee that your coin will gain traction.
  • Regulatory risks: The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies changes regularly. New or changing regulations could negatively impact the value or usability of your coin.
  • Security risks: As with any cryptocurrency, there’s a risk of hacking, phishing, or other security breaches. Audits can reduce this risk at the token level.
  • Reputation risks: If your coin is perceived as a joke or a scam, it can damage your reputation and reduce your chances of a thriving community.
  • Financial risks: Even if you make a meme coin on a budget, you’ll find that costs add up over time. There is no guarantee that you will ever recover your investment.

While meme coins are entertaining, it’s essential to consider the risks beforehand and plan for contingencies.

Conclusion


Now that you know how to create your own token, will your newly minted meme coin moon or will it sputter and spark on the launchpad? Launching a successful meme coin requires careful planning, execution, and marketing. However, luck plays a role as well. A detailed plan should consider the unexpected.

The industry thrives on fun and camaraderie. You’ll learn how to build community engagement, make new friends, and establish new connections. These benefits alone can make the process worthwhile. However, with careful planning, team building, and some good luck, you can send your meme coin to the moon and beyond.

FAQs


Do you need programming skills to make your own meme coin?

How long does it take to build and launch a meme coin?

What is the cheapest way to create a meme coin?

Can you make money from launching a meme coin?

What is the best network to launch a meme coin on?

How much money do you need for a successful launch?

References:

  1. Normie Incident Analysis (certik.com)
  2. Let’s go next level smart contract security with Diligence Fuzzing. (consensys.io)
  3. Staff Statement on Meme Coins (sec.gov)
  4. Framework for “Investment Contract” Analysis of Digital Assets (sec.gov)
  5. New Jersey Bureau of Securities Brings Action Against Coinbase (njoag.gov)
Logo

Why Trust Cryptonews

2M+
Active Monthly Users Around the World
250+
Guides and Reviews Articles
8
Years on the Market
70
International Team Authors
editors
+ 66 More

Best Crypto ICOs

Discover trending tokens still in presale — early-stage picks with potential

Explore Our Tools

Smart tools made for everyday crypto users

Market Overview

  • 7d
  • 1m
  • 1y
Market Cap
$3,494,106,041,117
0.68
Trending Crypto
Crypto News in numbers
editors
Authors List + 66 More
2M+
Active Monthly Users Around the World
250+
Guides and Reviews Articles
8
Years on the Market
70
International Team Authors

About Cryptonews

Our goal is to offer a comprehensive and objective perspective on the cryptocurrency market, enabling our readers to make informed decisions in this ever-changing landscape.

Our editorial team of more than 70 crypto professionals works to maintain the highest standards of journalism and ethics. We follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure the integrity and credibility of our content.

Whether you’re looking for breaking news, expert opinions, or market insights, Cryptonews has been your go-to destination for everything cryptocurrency since 2017.