CryptoQuant CEO Says Meme Coins Are Basically Modern Art

Ki Young Ju compares memecoins to art — both are valuable because of the stories we tell about them.

Meme coins might seem like a joke to some, but according to CryptoQuant’s CEO Ki Young Ju, they’re more like modern-day art than anyone gives them credit for.

In a recent tweet, Ju argued that meme coins and art actually have a lot in common. Both, he said, “legitimize intangible value through narrative.” In other words, it’s not about what they do—it’s about the stories and culture that form around them. Sound familiar? That’s exactly how collectors decide which art pieces are worth millions.

Narrative = Value

Ju didn’t deny that the meme coin space has its issues—scams, pump and dumps, rug pulls—you name it. But he compared that to how people once viewed Bitcoin. A decade ago, critics labeled BTC as a shady tool for crime. Now? It’s seen as digital gold.

His take: meme coins might be going through a similar phase. Over time, the bad actors will get weeded out, and better systems will emerge. And just like Bitcoin, meme coins could evolve into something more solid, more respected.

“If meme coins are scams, then so is art,” Ju said (essentially). The meme coin market is currently worth over $88 billion, while the global art market is around $550 billion. So if we’re trusting art based on vibes and storytelling, why not memes?

Looking Ahead to 2030

Ju thinks the meme coin frenzy is peaking now, but that doesn’t mean it’s going away. Instead, he sees the market gradually maturing—like any other tech or cultural trend. By 2030, he believes meme coins will have evolved well past the jokes and chaos we see today.

“Sure, the hype will cool down,” he said. “But the market isn’t going to vanish.”

With thousands of meme coins popping up daily—yes, daily—Ju’s perspective adds a bit of clarity to the noise. As more serious players enter the space (including celebrities and even some government figures), the big question is: can meme coins shift from being pure fun to something with real staying power?

Only time will tell. But if Ju’s right, we’re watching the early days of a cultural movement—one tweet at a time.