Memecoins Wiped Out As 11.6 Million Tokens Fail In Brutal Year: Research

Memecoins faced a devastating year in 2025, with approximately 11.6 million tokens ceasing trade or becoming inactive, according to CoinGecko research. The collapse was particularly severe in the fourth quarter, accounting for 7.7 million of these failures, triggered by a market upheaval on October 10 that saw over $19 billion in crypto liquidations in a single day.

Small, illiquid tokens bore the brunt of the fallout, with memecoins and low-effort projects dominating the list of casualties. Many lacked active development or meaningful trading depth, leaving investors to sift through the wreckage.

The ease of token creation exacerbated the issue. Platforms simplifying launches led to a flood of new, hastily issued coins. When demand evaporated, these tokens found no buyers. In contrast, established cryptocurrencies with robust liquidity and clear utility weathered the storm more effectively. The scale of the collapse is stark—1.3 million tokens failed in all of 2024, underscoring the severity of 2025’s downturn.

For traders and exchanges, the aftermath raises questions about sustainability and due diligence in a market increasingly saturated with speculative assets.