Meme tokens have gained immense popularity, but their tokenomics often involve more complexity than meets the eye. Many meme projects claim that “100% of tokens are launched upfront,” but this doesn’t always tell the full story.

While it’s true that all tokens may be released at launch, a large portion—sometimes over 90%—can be held by the project’s team or insiders. This results in a more centralized token supply than many investors realize. Although centralized ownership isn’t inherently negative, it plays a significant role in how the token’s market behaves.

In low-liquidity markets, where only a small portion of tokens are actively traded, even relatively small trades can have a substantial impact on price. This often leads to higher volatility, especially with meme tokens, which are already driven by hype and speculation.

Centralized ownership doesn’t automatically mean price manipulation, but it’s a crucial factor in understanding how prices move. For investors, it’s essential to consider the distribution of tokens and the available liquidity when evaluating a token’s overall tokenomics.

Binance co-founder Yi He has expressed similar concerns, noting that meme tokens frequently have concentrated ownership. This highlights the need for greater transparency, but it doesn’t mean that every project with centralized ownership is inherently risky.

A recent example is $NEIRO, where research from @nansen_ai revealed that 90% of its supply was allocated to key opinion leaders (KoLs), pushing its market cap to $300 million. This showcases how token distribution can significantly influence price movements.

Ultimately, while meme tokens can provide exciting opportunities, a deeper understanding of their tokenomics—including transparency in distribution, liquidity, and market dynamics—is key to making informed investment decisions.

Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services.

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