How memecoins can reach ‘gradual maturation’ by 2030, per analyst

• Ki Young Ju predicted that memecoins could mature into stable, legitimate assets by 2030.
• For memecoins to evolve, they must expand utility, gain regulatory clarity, and maintain community engagement.

The memecoin market has often been viewed with skepticism, criticized for its speculative nature and reliance on hype. However, Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, envisions a brighter future for memecoins.

He predicted,

“The market will enter the trough of disillusionment, followed by years of gradual maturation.”

According to him, by 2030, memecoins could transform into a more stable and legitimate part of the crypto landscape. Despite their current volatility, Ki remains optimistic about their long-term potential.

But how will memecoins make this transition?

Ki Young Ju’s prediction

Source: X

Ki’s perspective aligns with the crypto hype cycle he has discussed. He suggests that memecoins are currently at the “Peak of Inflated Expectations.”

While they thrive on speculative frenzy, they face criticism due to their limited real-world application.

As the market enters the “Trough of Disillusionment,” hype is expected to fade, leaving behind only those focused on innovation and sustainability.

By 2030, Ki believes memecoins could reach the “Plateau of Productivity,” contributing meaningfully to the crypto ecosystem.

This evolution would blend their community-driven origins with enhanced utility, regulation, and legitimacy.

Speculative nature of memecoins today

The speculative nature of memecoins remained a defining characteristic, as evidenced by the volatile trends seen in their prices and social media activity.

According to the data, coins like Dogecoin [DOGE], Shiba Inu [SHIB], and Pepe [PEPE] have experienced significant price declines over the past week, with drops as steep as 27%.

Source: CoinGecko

This is coupled with sharp fluctuations in social volumes, as shown in recent Santiment data, which highlights the impact of hype cycles on market behavior.

Despite these challenges, the memecoin market cap has risen to an impressive $97.5 billion, highlighting their growing prominence.

Source: Santiment

This rise suggests a dual narrative: while speculation remains dominant, memecoins are gradually carving out a niche within the broader crypto ecosystem.

To transition into a more stable and mature market, memecoins must address several key factors.

Expanding their utility beyond hype is essential: real-world applications such as payments, gaming, or decentralized apps could help transform them into functional assets.

Improved regulatory clarity will reduce uncertainty and attract institutional interest, while technological advancements will enhance scalability and adoption.

Additionally, the vibrant communities surrounding memecoins must remain engaged through partnerships and shared goals.

Over time, market consolidation will likely favor stronger projects, paving the way for memecoins to evolve into legitimate and enduring assets.