🛋️ Memecoins mean serious business

In this week's newsletter, we're looking the growing presence of memecoins in the crypto space.

Memecoins now account for 11% of the total crypto market, nearly tripling since 2022, though still below 2021 peaks. 

We'll look at the drivers, from token launch changes to younger investor appeal, and explore the advantages and risks of this emerging asset class.

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🛋️ Memecoins mean serious business

The numbers coming out of the memecoin market are starting to turn heads. Since 2022, memecoins have nearly tripled their share of the crypto market, growing from 4% to 11%. While that's big, it's still below their 2021 peak when DOGE and SHIB hit staggering market caps of $80B and $39B.

What's behind the growth?

A few key things are driving this trend. Back in the 2017 ICO boom, anyone could participate in new token launches at the same time. That's changed - most new crypto projects now start with private VC rounds, leaving retail investors waiting for public launches. Memecoins are bringing back that early access for everyone.

Young investors are also looking at memecoins differently. With inflation making everything from houses to daily expenses more expensive, many are questioning traditional investment approaches. About 94% of crypto buyers are Millennials and Gen Z, and they're drawn to investments that feel more accessible and fair.

Why people are buying in

When you look at why memecoins are gaining traction, it's not just about price movements. There's something fundamentally different about how these tokens work that's attracting both new and experienced crypto investors.

Memecoins have some unique advantages:

• Everyone gets an equal shot - no special access for big investors
• They're easy to understand compared to complex crypto projects
• Communities form quickly around shared ideas
• The time from launch to major growth can be incredibly fast - WIF hit $1B in just 104 days

These features have helped memecoins capture attention in ways that traditional crypto projects haven't been able to match. But with rapid growth comes significant risks that investors need to understand.

The real risks of meme coins

The success stories in the memecoin space can be exciting, but just like the early days of crypto, there's a dark side to this explosive growth that every investor needs to consider.

• About 97% of memecoins end up failing completely
• Some groups manipulate prices through coordinated pumps and dumps
• The focus on memes could be pulling resources away from real tech development

These challenges raise important questions about the long-term impact on crypto innovation. It also brings us to the question of where the memecoin trend is actually headed.

What’s next?

Memecoins are showing us something important about how crypto markets work. When everyone gets fair access, retail investors can build something valuable. But to stick around, these coins need more than just a good meme.

The Binance Research report suggests two important paths forward for memecoins:

1. For memecoin creators: Successful memecoins that maintain long-term appeal will need to develop a compelling story that resonates with a large community (similar to how brands use storytelling to build a community around them).
2. For the broader crypto ecosystem: Memecoins have actually taught us valuable lessons in community building and fair token launches. They've shown blockchain's incredible power in uniting people around shared ideas. But at the same time, if everyone gets caught up in the meme craze, we might lose sight of the real impact happening in crypto.

The most promising projects will blend community excitement with actual value. They'll need to give people a reason to care beyond just making a quick profit.

This doesn't mean every memecoin needs to be a complex tech project. It's about creating something people actually want to be part of - something that feels meaningful and fun.

In many ways, this shows how younger generations are changing the rules of investing and community.

📌 What's the biggest risk you see with the rise of memecoins?

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Now, a quick break for your wellness. Chief Wellness Officer at FAB Diego Carrete is on a mission to help executives get fit, increase their energy, and live longer.

Today he shares a 5-step sleep strategy for the traveling executive.

Hey amigos,

This week has been a busy one—especially for some of you. Four of you traveled long-haul, which kept me on my toes.

By strategically managing your body’s internal clock, you can minimize the effects of jet lag and maximize your performance.

In this email, I’ll walk you through 5 practical steps to help you quickly adapt to new time zones and stay at the top of your game.

Step 1: Prepare Before You Fly

Your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) is a finely tuned mechanism influenced by light exposure, sleep, and habits. To lessen the shock of jet lag, start preparing days before your trip:

• Adjust Your Sleep Schedule: Gradually shift your bedtime by 30-60 minutes each day for 3–4 days leading up to your trip.
• Strategic Melatonin Use: When flying east, take melatonin 30 minutes before your adjusted bedtime (0.3-1 mg is optimal). Melatonin helps reset your internal clock by signaling that it's time to sleep.

Step 2: Leverage Light Exposure

Light is the most powerful external factor in resetting your body’s clock:

• Traveling East: Expose yourself to morning light at your destination, but avoid bright light in the evening. Wearing sunglasses in the late afternoon can help you adjust more quickly.
• Traveling West: Seek out afternoon sunlight and avoid morning light during the first few days to delay your internal clock.

For trips crossing more than 8 time zones, the body can confuse morning with evening light. Use sunglasses to limit exposure in the morning when traveling east, and get as much light as possible in the late afternoon.

Step 3: Stay Hydrated and Optimize Nutrition

Dehydration and poor nutrition can worsen the effects of jet lag:

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight. Dehydration exacerbates symptoms like fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they contribute to dehydration and interfere with sleep.
• Pre-Sleep Snack: Consider a light snack with melatonin-rich foods like pineapple and nuts, which can naturally support sleep.

Foods with a higher content of melatonin: tart cherries, goji berries, eggs, salmon, and milk.

Step 4: Exercise to Reset Your Clock

Exercise is a potent tool for resetting your circadian rhythm. Depending on the direction of your travel, the timing of your workout is key:

• Eastward Travel: Engage in light morning exercise to help stimulate wakefulness. This signals to your body that it’s time to be alert.
• Westward Travel: Opt for late afternoon exercise to ease your body into the new schedule and prevent early fatigue.

Step 5: Boost Productivity Upon Arrival

Once you arrive, aim for maximum exposure to natural light, avoid napping, and schedule lighter tasks for the first day:

• Morning Routine: If you arrive in the morning, get outside as soon as possible for a walk in natural light. Movement and sunlight are key to syncing your body’s clock.
• Evening Routine: Take a cool shower or bath before bed to lower your core body temperature, helping you fall asleep faster.

If you feel foggy or fatigued, limit naps to 20–30 minutes early in the day to avoid disrupting nighttime sleep.

Case Study: New York to London

Pre-Trip (Start 4 Days Before):

• Shift Sleep: Move your bedtime 30 minutes earlier each day to match London's time zone (5 hours ahead).
• Light Exposure: Get more morning sunlight to support earlier wake-up times or use red light therapy for 10-20 minutes in the morning to help shift your circadian rhythm.

During the Flight:

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water with electrolytes. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Sleep Strategy: Sleep 4-6 hours if landing in the morning. If not, limit naps to 30 minutes and relax with breathing techniques.
• Meal Timing: Eat closer to London’s schedule to help sync your body clock.

Upon Arrival:

• Sunlight: Get 30-60 minutes of afternoon sunlight to reset your internal clock. Pair this with a 20-minute brisk walk for maximum impact.
• Melatonin: Take 0.5-3 mg 30 minutes before your new bedtime. Avoid screens in the evening.

That’s it for now. Found this helpful? Share this with someone who needs it.

See you next week, where we'll talk about How you were given the wrong information about carbs.

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