'Crypto is a culture-based ecosystem'

In today’s increasingly digital world, where neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces are being reshaped by remote work and shifting social structures, many people find themselves feeling disconnected.

"We're becoming lonelier by the day," Rami Alame, a financial lawyer and crypto investor, told The Crypto Radio.

With communities no longer bound by physical spaces, the digital realm has become a place where people seek connection—and, for some, memecoins are becoming the currency that bridges these social gaps. These digital assets, driven more by community than by traditional financial fundamentals, have captivated both investors and online communities alike.

Alame, who has a traditional finance background and has been closely following the rise of memecoins, explained that these cryptocurrencies are part of a culture-driven movement rather than just another investment asset. "Crypto is a culture-based ecosystem." 

The heart of memecoins

What makes memecoins different from other cryptocurrencies is the sense of community that fuels them. While traditional assets rely on market fundamentals like supply and demand, memecoins are driven by the collective enthusiasm of their online supporters.

This strong social component makes memecoins more than just speculative investments. They provide a way for people to connect in an increasingly disconnected world, filling a social need that traditional currencies and even other types of digital assets haven’t quite tapped into.

"Memecoins can serve as a bond between one person and another," Alame said, adding that in today’s fragmented society, they provide a sense of belonging that many people are seeking.

"Altcoins right now are trying to be some form of memecoin," Alame said, explaining how even traditional altcoin projects are shifting to embrace the community-driven model that has fueled the success of meme coins.

"They're trying to go for the community. And you see a lot of projects that are really going back to the roots, saying, 'Hey, let's build our community so that we could potentially create that value.'"

This shift signals a growing recognition in the crypto space that genuine community engagement may be as valuable as the technology itself, with projects hoping to foster a loyal following to enhance their value.

Understanding the risks

For those considering investing in memecoins, Alame offered both caution and insight. He believes everyone should experience it for themselves by going "into the trenches".

"You got to get rugged, get wrecked, and then that’s where you learn," he said.

In crypto, being rugged means falling victim to a rug pull, where the creators of a coin suddenly disappear with all the funds, leaving investors with nothing. Being wrecked, or rekt, refers to losing money due to the volatility of the market—a common experience for many who enter the world of memecoins.

Despite these warnings, Alame sees memecoins as part of a broader movement in crypto that is deeply tied to culture and community. He himself is invested in several memecoins, although he also maintains a diversified portfolio that includes major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as NFT projects.

The future of memecoins

Despite the risks, Alame believes memecoins have staying power. "There’s no reason for them not to be relevant [in 5-10 years]," he said, reflecting on how the changing social landscape is driving people toward digital communities.

Memecoins provide a space where people can come together—whether through shared jokes, memes, or the thrill of investment—and form bonds that transcend physical borders.

Looking ahead, Alame is optimistic about their potential for creating wealth, especially for younger generations. "I don’t think that in the next 80 to 100 years, there's going to be an opportunity similar to now for creating generational wealth," he said.

However, he cautioned that the volatile nature of memecoins means they should not be approached without careful thought and preparation. He clarified that he is not giving out financial advice and thinks that anyone prepared to invest should do the necessary work, connect with the right people and do their own research.

Challenges and regulation

Despite their growing popularity, memecoins face challenges. As more people enter the market and governments around the world look to regulate cryptocurrency, memecoins will likely face increased scrutiny.

Alame foresees a future where government oversight in crypto is inevitable, saying, "The government is going to catch up. Regulators are going to catch up." This, he explains, follows the pattern seen in countless historical evolutions where, eventually, authorities "started saying, 'Okay, listen, guys, you gotta pay taxes, you gotta report.'"

While crypto offers freedom and the "ability to make a lot of money", it also has a built-in transparency—one that allows regulators to "look at the blockchain, look at the transactions, and track any kind of thing." Alame describes this as a "catch 22," where the freedom crypto offers is accompanied by an eventual increase in regulatory scrutiny, a development he hopes "gets delayed as much as possible".

 

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or in our Crypto Culture podcast.