Memecoins take over: Inside the rise of MEMECON

"Let's get wrecked!" exclaimed Julian Paredes, co-founder of the world's first memecoin conference, MEMECON. It’s a fitting rallying cry for a movement that has turned crypto into a playground of viral hype, absurdity, and, for some, serious profits.

Paredes and his co-founder Jax Langston told The Crypto Radio how MEMECON came to life, why memecoins have become the gateway for crypto newcomers, and where this chaotic trend is headed next.

Birth of a meme movement

MEMECON started with a realization: despite the explosive rise of memecoins, there was no event dedicated to their unique culture. That struck Langston—who calls himself a "certified degenerate"—as a missed opportunity. "I was at a point in my life where I didn't have a job, so I was kind of looking for something to do," he said. "And then this idea just came into my head."

Paredes, with his background in gaming and the metaverse, was immediately on board. They pitched the concept to John Carp, founder of Non Fungible Summit in Lisbon. "He was as crazy as us, and he said, 'Okay, guys, let's go,'" Paredes said.

The result? A neon-soaked festival of internet culture, where memecoins are more than just speculative assets—they’re a language, a lifestyle, and, for many, an entry point into crypto.

More than just a joke

Critics dismiss memecoins as unserious, but Paredes sees them as a powerful force. "Memes are the simplest way to understand what is a cryptocurrency," he said. "My parents can finally understand what I am doing."

Langston agreed, arguing that memecoins have mastered the "attention economy" and could dominate the space. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which demand technical knowledge, memecoins lower the barrier to entry. "Memecoins perfectly capture that kind of attention economy, and probably will be king going forward," he said.

Skepticism remains. Some see the tokens as a distraction from "real" crypto innovation. Paredes pushes back: "It's not memecoins or RWA or DeFi or whatever. All those different verticals or products are making what is blockchain." In his view, memes are a natural fit for the internet and a "silver currency" that can onboard millions to crypto.

Trump, memes, and the future

The memecoin craze hit a new level with the launch of tokens linked to Donald and Melania Trump. "It's historical," Paredes noted. "We have never seen a president in history launching a crypto, you know, or a memecoin. He understands the culture." The move, he argues, signals how memecoins—not Bitcoin or traditional finance—are shaping digital ownership and influence.

As for what’s next, MEMECON is already eyeing expansion into new cities, including Paris, Lisbon, and possibly Dubai. "If you are considering coming out to a conference this year, do not go to anything else, apart from MEMECON," Langston said. "There's no point. Do you want to come and have fun? Come to MEMECON. Go all out."

With their boundless enthusiasm and belief in meme culture, Langston and Paredes are betting big that memecoins will remain a dominant force in crypto. If they’re right, the line between finance and internet culture will only blur further—one meme at a time.

 

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