Memecoins, inspired by internet memes, have captured the attention of crypto enthusiasts and mainstream investors alike. These tokens often thrive on their community's enthusiasm and the viral nature of memes. While dog-themed memecoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have been popular, 2024 is seeing a rise in cat-themed memecoins. These feline-inspired tokens are making a significant impact in the crypto space, reflecting the internet's long-standing fascination with cats.
As per CoinGecko, cat-themed coins have a combined market cap of over $3.1 billion at the time of writing. The platform lists over 260 cat-themed tokens across leading blockchains, such as Ethereum, Solana, and Base.
What Are Cat-Themed Meme Coins?
Cat-themed memecoins are cryptocurrencies inspired by cats and related internet memes. They leverage the viral appeal of cats in meme culture to attract and engage a dedicated community of users. These tokens often feature playful and humorous elements, creating a fun and engaging experience for their holders.
The popularity of cat-themed memecoins is driven by several factors. Cats have a special place in internet culture, making these tokens highly relatable and shareable. The success of dog-themed memecoins have set a precedent, and now cat-themed tokens are capitalizing on the same meme-driven hype. These tokens are also seeing increased interest due to their ability to foster strong community engagement and their appeal as a fresh and fun investment opportunity.
Why Are Cat-Themed Memecoins Gaining Popularity?
Here’s a look at some of the top reasons behind the rising popularity of cat-themed meme coins in the crypto market:
- The Rise of Telegram Mini-Apps: A significant trend contributing to the popularity of cat-themed memecoins is the emergence of Telegram-based mini-apps. These mini-apps, like Catizen (CATI) and CATS (CATS), offer users interactive experiences, such as play-to-earn games, airdrop participation, and community engagement directly within the Telegram platform. The seamless integration of games and social interaction within Telegram attracts a vast audience, fostering a sense of community and driving the adoption of cat-themed memecoins. This unique blend of entertainment and crypto utilities makes cat-themed tokens particularly appealing in the current market.
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Community Engagement: Cat-themed memecoins benefit greatly from strong community engagement. These tokens thrive because their communities are active and passionate. Members promote the coins on social media, participate in discussions, and create content that keeps the buzz alive. For instance, Toshi (TOSHI) has built a robust community through its MEOW DAO, which allows token holders to participate in governance decisions, fostering a sense of ownership and involvement.
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Viral Trends: The viral nature of internet memes plays a crucial role in the success of cat-themed memecoins. Social media platforms amplify these trends, helping tokens like Popcat (POPCAT) gain traction quickly. Popcat, inspired by the viral meme of a cat named Oatmeal, saw its price spike by over 1,600% shortly after its launch. The interactive game Popcat Click, where users compete globally to make the most clicks, has also contributed to its popularity.
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Market Sentiment: Market trends and investor sentiment are pivotal in the rise of cat-themed memecoins. Investors are drawn to these tokens due to their potential for high returns and the fun, community-driven aspects. For example, Cat in a Dog’s World (MEW) quickly became one of the largest cat-themed memecoins by market capitalization after launching in March 2024. Its strong performance is a testament to the growing interest and positive sentiment in the market towards these tokens.
Top Cat-Themed Memecoins to Watch
We have analyzed the best cat-themed meme tokens for you to watch and potentially consider investing in, based on their popularity, vision, adoption, and market cap. Here’s a look at the top 10 cat coins in the crypto market:
1. Catizen (CATI)
Catizen (CATI) is a blockchain-based game and memecoin that has quickly gained traction within the crypto community. It's part of The Open Network (TON) ecosystem, where players raise virtual cats in a play-to-earn (P2E) format. The game offers unique gameplay elements such as breeding cats, completing mini-games, and participating in daily tasks to earn rewards. Its gameplay mechanics and vibrant community have helped Catizen amass over 34 million active users worldwide in a relatively short period.
CATI serves as the primary cryptocurrency in the game, allowing players to earn and trade real-world assets. Users can earn in-game tokens like vKITTY through various tasks and quests, which can then be converted into CATI tokens. The token was officially launched for trading on major exchanges like KuCoin in September 2024. Catizen also features quarterly airdrop campaigns where players can earn CATI tokens by completing in-game tasks and accumulating points.
Since its launch, $CATI has seen significant market activity, with its price initially ranging from $0.33 to $0.55 during pre-market trading. Currently, it trades around $0.47 with a market cap exceeding $468 million, highlighting its rapid adoption and prominence in the TON ecosystem.
The project's roadmap includes exciting plans such as releasing more than 200 mini-games by 2025 and incorporating AI-driven companions to make the game even more interactive. With its innovative play-to-earn mechanics, active user base, and continuous development, Catizen (CATI) is a noteworthy cat-themed memecoin in 2024.
2. CATS (CATS)
CATS (CATS) is a Telegram-based mini-app and memecoin that has made a significant impact within the TON blockchain ecosystem. The CATS mini-app offers various interactive features and activities to engage users while distributing CATS tokens as rewards. Users can participate in daily tasks, interact with the community, play partner games, refer friends, and even engage in an AI Cat Photo Analyzer feature that rewards unique cat photos with additional tokens.
Since its launch, CATS has rapidly gained traction, accumulating over 47 million holders as of September 2024. The project's viral presence within the Telegram community has made it one of the most notable cat-themed tokens in the crypto market. This popularity is further driven by its extensive airdrop campaigns, rewarding users based on their Telegram account's age, activity, and premium status, promoting a highly engaged and dynamic user base.
CATS was listed for pre-market trading on major exchanges like Bitget on August 24, 2024, and KuCoin on September 27, 2024, allowing users to engage with the token before its broader market release. With a total supply of 600 billion tokens, CATS emphasizes community engagement and interactive features, making it a unique project among cat-themed memecoins in 2024.
Learn how to withdraw $CATS tokens to KuCoin after the airdrop.
3. Simon’s Cat (CAT)
Simon's Cat (CAT) is a cryptocurrency inspired by the famous British animated series, "Simon's Cat." Launched on the BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20) platform in 2024, the token has quickly captured the attention of both meme enthusiasts and crypto investors. It leverages the popularity of the animated character to build a unique ecosystem within the crypto market, moving beyond mere speculation to offer utility within entertainment applications and games.
Unlike other memecoins, Simon's Cat integrates itself into entertainment dApps and plans to provide exclusive content and events for its token holders. The project stands out by offering in-game purchases, NFT projects, and collaborations with various entertainment platforms. This approach provides added value to token holders while fostering a community centered around the beloved cat character. The project's connection to the widely recognized animated series adds to its potential for long-term growth and relevance in the meme token sector.
Simon's Cat has a total supply of 9 trillion CAT tokens, with around 6.7 trillion currently in circulation. The token has shown promising market performance, achieving a market capitalization of over $208 million and daily trading volumes of more than $59 million. Despite the high volatility common to memecoins, Simon's Cat has maintained a steady interest from retail investors, thanks to its robust fan base and ongoing development in entertainment platforms.
4. Popcat (POPCAT)
Popcat (POPCAT) is a cat-themed memecoin built on the Solana blockchain, inspired by the viral meme of a cat named Oatmeal with its mouth wide open. The meme's popularity in 2020 spurred the creation of Popcat cryptocurrency in late 2023. With a total supply of 980 million tokens, all currently in circulation, Popcat aims to leverage the playful and community-driven nature of internet culture. The Popcat Project enables users to create and share memes using an AI-powered platform that customizes feeds based on user preferences, fostering a vibrant and interactive community.
Popcat has shown impressive market performance and community engagement since its inception. Trading at around $0.36 with a market capitalization of $351.2 million, it has seen a significant trading volume of $21.6 million in the last 24 hours. The token's success is largely attributed to its active and engaged community, which continuously generates and shares viral content, enhancing the token's visibility and popularity. Popcat's emphasis on community interaction and viral engagement has solidified its position as a notable player in the competitive memecoin market.
5. cat in a dogs world (MEW)
cat in a dog's world (MEW) is a cat-themed memecoin launched on the Solana blockchain in March 2024. It leverages the playful and viral nature of internet memes, positioning itself as a humorous counter to the prevalent dog-themed tokens like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. MEW quickly gained attention due to its unique branding and the strategic decision to burn 90% of its liquidity pool tokens, creating a stable price floor and reducing volatility. This cat-inspired token aims to capture the fun and community spirit often associated with memecoins while challenging the dominance of its dog-themed counterparts.
MEW's key features include its strategic tokenomics, where 90% of its liquidity pool tokens are burned, and 10% are airdropped to the Solana community. This approach helps maintain a stable price and fosters strong community engagement. Since its launch, MEW has shown significant market activity, achieving an all-time high of $0.01 shortly after its debut. As of now, it trades around $0.004, with a market cap of approximately $422 million. The token has attracted a vibrant community and is listed on major exchanges like KuCoin, enhancing its visibility and trading opportunities. MEW's unique positioning and community-driven approach have made it a notable player in the memecoin market.
6. Toshi (TOSHI)
Toshi (TOSHI) is a cat-themed memecoin operating on Coinbase's Base blockchain, launched in late 2023. Named after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's pet cat, Toshi combines the playful essence of meme culture with the innovative capabilities of the Base network. The Base memecoin aims to capitalize on the growing interest in cat-themed tokens, setting itself apart with a strong narrative and community engagement.
Toshi offers unique features such as community-driven governance and potential integration into various decentralized applications (dApps) on the Base network. Despite having no established real-world utility, Toshi has gained significant traction due to its strategic marketing and active social media presence. As of recent data, Toshi trades at approximately $0.000225, with a market capitalization of around $85 million. It saw a 35% price surge recently, driven by increased trading interest and predictions of becoming a major player on the Base network. The community's enthusiasm and robust trading volumes underscore Toshi's potential in the competitive memecoin market.
7. Wen (WEN)
Wen (WEN) is a cat-themed memecoin launched on the Solana blockchain in January 2024. The project draws inspiration from the crypto meme "Wen?" which humorously highlights the anticipation around product releases or price surges. Wen is unique in its approach, representing fractional ownership of a non-fungible token (NFT). This NFT, initially a poem on internet culture turned into a token by its author, resonates with the crypto community. With a total supply of 1 trillion tokens, Wen distributed 70% of its tokens via airdrops to over a million Solana wallets, promoting widespread adoption from the outset.
Wen stands out with its innovative use of fractional NFTs and its introduction of the WNS 0.0 NFT standard on the Solana blockchain. The project also gained significant attention by acquiring the major cat-themed Twitter account, @ShouldHaveCat, which has over 4 million followers. Wen's market performance has been notable, with its price reaching an all-time high of $0.000519 in March 2024, although it currently trades at about $0.00009646. The coin's active community engagement is evident, with over 147,000 followers on social media and significant trading activity across major exchanges like MEXC, Gate.io, and KuCoin. This strong community backing and innovative approach position Wen as a key player in the cat-themed memecoin space.
8. MANEKI (MANEKI)
MANEKI (MANEKI) is a cat-themed memecoin launched on the Solana blockchain, inspired by the Japanese figurine Maneki-neko, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity. The Solana-based meme token aims to blend the cultural significance of this figurine with the viral potential of memecoins. MANEKI was created to attract both crypto enthusiasts and fans of Japanese culture, positioning itself as a token that brings fortune and success to its holders. The project has seen considerable traction due to its unique theme and strong cultural resonance.
MANEKI stands out with its focus on community engagement and its symbolic representation of luck and prosperity. The token has a total supply of approximately 8.8 billion tokens, and it has been actively traded on multiple exchanges, including KuCoin. As of recent data, MANEKI is trading at around $0.007042, with a market cap of $63.66 million. The token reached an all-time high of $0.02774 in April 2024. The community around MANEKI is vibrant and engaged, with the project frequently hosting events and promotions to maintain interest and activity. This strong community support has been a key driver of its market performance and popularity.
9. Bitcoin Cats (1CAT)
Bitcoin Cats (1CAT) is a cat-themed memecoin launched on both Bitcoin and Ethereum blockchains. This token combines the playful and viral nature of cat memes with the robust security and decentralization offered by these major blockchains. The project aims to create an engaging and fun cryptocurrency experience while leveraging the established infrastructure of Bitcoin and Ethereum. 1CAT acts as a utility token within its ecosystem, offering various incentives for holders and participants.
Bitcoin Cats offers unique features such as integration with GameFi and DeFi, providing users with opportunities to earn rewards through gameplay and decentralized finance activities. The token also serves as a ticket for accessing special features within its gaming platform. As of recent data, 1CAT is trading at approximately $0.00212, with significant trading volumes on exchanges like KuCoin. Despite experiencing price fluctuations, Bitcoin Cats maintains a strong and active community, which is essential for its ongoing popularity and market presence. The token's unique combination of utility and community engagement positions it as a notable player in the cat-themed memecoin space.
10. OmniCat (OMNI)
OmniCat (OMNI) is a cat-themed memecoin built on the LayerZero protocol, designed to function seamlessly across multiple blockchains. Launched in early 2024, OmniCat aims to demonstrate and advance omnichain technology, allowing tokens to be transferred across different chains such as Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, and others. This cat-themed cryptocurrency leverages the interoperability provided by LayerZero to maintain its price stability and provide high utility within various ecosystems.
OmniCat’s key features include its omnichain capabilities, enabling seamless transfers and interactions across multiple blockchain networks. This makes OmniCat versatile and highly adaptable in the DeFi space. Additionally, the token benefits from the security and efficiency of LayerZero's technology. As of recent data, OmniCat is trading at approximately $0.0001123 with a market cap of around $4.68 million. The token has seen a significant trading volume, indicating active market participation. The OmniCat community is vibrant and engaged, frequently participating in events and discussions on platforms like Twitter and Telegram, which helps drive the token’s visibility and adoption in the competitive memecoin market.
How to Invest in Cat-Themed Memecoins
You can buy and trade cat memecoins on centralized exchanges like KuCoin and decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Here’s how to get started:
Steps to Buy and Trade on Platforms Like KuCoin
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Create an Account: Sign up on KuCoin or another centralized exchange that lists cat-themed memecoins. Complete the KYC verification process by providing necessary identification.
- Deposit Funds: Add funds to your account, such as USDT or USDC. You can use various methods such as bank transfer, credit card, or transferring cryptocurrency from another crypto wallet.
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Search and Trade: Find the specific cat-themed memecoin you want to buy, such as MEW. Select the appropriate trading pair (e.g., MEW/USDT) and place your order. You can choose between a market order or a limit order based on your preference. Use stop-loss and take-profit orders to manage risks and secure profits.
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Store Your Tokens: Transfer your purchased tokens to a secure crypto wallet. Using a self-custodial wallet like MetaMask ensures you have full control over your assets.
Using Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) with Wallets
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Get a Compatible Wallet: You can use an EVM-compatible wallet like MetaMask to buy memecoins on Uniswap or SushiSwap.
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Set Up a TON Wallet for TON-based Cat Meme Coins: You can set up a TON-compatible wallet, e.g., Tonkeeper, to buy TON-based coins such as CATS or Catizen.
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Cover Gas Fees: Make sure your wallet has enough ETH or the relevant base currency to cover the transaction fees. If you are on the TON network, ensure your TON wallet is funded with Toncoins to cover gas fees.
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Select the Memecoin: Search for the cat-themed memecoin you want to trade by pasting its contract address into the DEX search bar.
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Swap Tokens: Specify the amount you want to trade, review the transaction details, and confirm the swap. The tokens will be transferred to your wallet once the transaction is complete.
Important Considerations for Using DEXs Effectively
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Verify Token Contracts: Always ensure you are interacting with the correct token contract to avoid scams.
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Understand Slippage: Adjust the slippage tolerance to ensure your transaction goes through without significant price changes.
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Be Aware of Gas Fees: Monitor the gas fees and execute transactions when fees are lower to save costs.
How to Manage Risks When Investing in Cat-Based Meme Coins
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Do Your Own Research (DYOR): Look into the team behind the project and their track record. Read the whitepaper to understand the project's goals and roadmap. Engage with the community on platforms like Telegram and Twitter to gauge the overall sentiment and activity level.
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Evaluating Tokenomics: Understand the total supply of the token and how it is distributed. A balanced distribution can indicate a healthier project. Check if the token has real-world applications or unique features that provide value beyond speculation.
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Diversify Your Investments: Don't put all your funds into a single memecoin. Invest in a mix of established cryptocurrencies and promising new tokens. Include a variety of asset types to mitigate risk and enhance potential returns.
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Keep Up with Market News and Trends: Stay updated by following influencers and analysts on social media who provide insights into the crypto market. Participate in discussions on platforms like Reddit and Discord to stay informed about the latest developments and trends.
Closing Thoughts
Cat-themed memecoins are carving out their niche in the crypto space, driven by vibrant communities, viral trends, and favorable market sentiment. As these tokens continue to gain popularity, they offer a unique blend of investment potential and community engagement.
As you explore investment opportunities in these tokens, it's important to stay informed and conduct thorough research before making any real investments, considering the volatile nature of memecoins and their associated risks.
Further Reading