1. Introduction

In the context of the increasingly developing and diverse cryptocurrency market, tokens classified into various categories such as MEME, Solana, AI, and DeFi have attracted significant attention from the investor community. This analysis will focus on the price trends of tokens belonging to two main groups: non-MEME tokens (including MEME, Solana, AI, DeFi categories) and MEME tokens (including specific tokens like $WIF

Chart 1: Displays the growth rate of non-MEME token categories.

Chart 2: Focus on the performance of specific MEME tokens.

The goal of this analysis is to assess performance, price volatility, and provide academic observations on the potential and risks of these token categories. The analysis will provide a scientific basis for investors to make strategic decisions in a volatile market context.

2. Data Analysis

2.1. Chart 1: Performance of Non-MEME Tokens

Chart 1 shows the price growth rates (in %) of token categories from December 5 to May 22, 2025. The analyzed categories include:

  • MEME: +15.56%

  • Solana: +9.50%

  • AI: +8.76%

  • DeFi: +4.82%

2.1.1. Overall Performance

All categories recorded positive growth during this period, with a range from 4.82% (DeFi) to 15.56% (MEME). This reflects an overall positive trend in the cryptocurrency market during the analyzed period. Specifically:

  • The MEME category leads with a growth rate of 15.56%, indicating significant market interest in tokens within this category. This may stem from factors such as crowd psychology, social media trends, or specific events driving the value of MEME tokens.

  • Solana and AI achieved growth rates of 9.50% and 8.76%, respectively, reflecting quite good performance and showcasing the potential of high-performance blockchain platforms (Solana) and artificial intelligence (AI).

  • DeFi, with the lowest growth rate (4.82%), still maintains a positive growth momentum, indicating the relative stability of the decentralized finance sector during this period.

2.1.2. Price Volatility

Chart 1 also provides information about the price fluctuations of categories throughout the period:

  • MEME (blue) exhibits the most volatility, peaking at over 150% growth around December 5. However, the price then sharply fell to nearly 0% and fluctuated before rising again towards the end of the period. This significant volatility reflects the high-risk nature of the MEME token, which is often influenced by non-financial factors such as market psychology and social media trends.

  • Solana (orange) also recorded notable volatility, with an approximately 100% increase at the beginning of the period, but then sharply decreased and fluctuated around 0% before a slight increase at the end of the period. This indicates that Solana remains a category with growth potential, but is also subject to short-term fluctuations.

  • AI (pink) and DeFi (purple) exhibit less volatility, primarily fluctuating around 0% with some minor ups and downs. The stable performance of these two categories suggests they may be safer options in a volatile market context.

2.1.3. Observation

The MEME category shows the highest growth potential but comes with significant risks due to high volatility. In contrast, DeFi and AI exhibit more stable performance, suitable for investors prioritizing safety. Solana occupies a middle ground, with decent growth potential but still influenced by market fluctuations.

2.2. Chart 2: Performance of MEME Tokens

Chart 2 focuses on the price trends of specific tokens within the MEME category, including WIF, PEPE, BONK, and BOME, during the same period from December 5 to May 22, 2025. The recorded growth rates are as follows:

  • WIF: -4.70%

  • PEPE: +0.73%

  • BONK: -6.90%

  • BOME: -2.41%

2.2.1. Overall Performance

Unlike the MEME category in Chart 1 (growing at 15.56%), specific MEME tokens in Chart 2 show poor performance, with most recording price drops or negligible growth:

  • PEPE is the only token with positive growth (+0.73%), but this increase is very small, insufficient to make a significant impact.

  • BONK performed the worst (-6.90%), followed by WIF (-4.70%) and BOME (-2.41%). These figures suggest that most MEME tokens in this category did not attract market interest during the analyzed period.

2.2.2. Price Volatility

The price fluctuations of MEME tokens in Chart 2 are also noted:

  • BOME (purple) exhibits the most volatility, with a spike of nearly 40% around December 5, but then sharply dropped below 0% and fluctuated around negative levels. This volatility is similar to the MEME category in Chart 1, but the final outcome is negative.

  • WIF (blue) also shows significant volatility, rising to about 20% at the beginning of the period, but then sharply decreased and remained in negative territory. This indicates that the WIF token did not sustain its initial growth.

  • PEPE (orange) and BONK (pink) show less volatility, fluctuating around 0% with some minor ups and downs. At the end of the period, PEPE increased slightly (+0.73%), while BONK dropped significantly (-6.90%).

2.2.3. Observation

The poor performance of MEME tokens in Chart 2 indicates unevenness within this category. While the MEME category as a whole performs well in Chart 1, specific tokens like WIF, BONK, and BOME fail to capitalize on this positive trend. This may be due to a lack of community interest or specific negative factors (such as bad news, market psychology) affecting each token.

3. Comparison and Evaluation

3.1. Performance

  • The MEME category in Chart 1 shows outstanding performance (+15.56%), but specific MEME tokens in Chart 2 exhibit poor performance (mostly declining). This indicates that only a few standout MEME tokens (not listed in Chart 2) have pulled the overall performance of this category up, while the majority of other MEME tokens did not perform well.

  • Categories such as Solana, AI, and DeFi in Chart 1 have more positive and stable performance compared to individual MEME tokens in Chart 2. This reflects the high-risk nature of MEME tokens compared to other categories.

3.2. Volatility

  • Both charts indicate that MEME tokens exhibit significant volatility, with sharp spikes and drops over short periods. This aligns with the nature of MEME tokens, which are often affected by market psychology, social media events, and cultural trends.

  • Categories like DeFi, AI, and Solana in Chart 1 show less volatility, indicating they are less risky and may be suitable options for long-term investors.

3.3. Influencing Factors

  • MEME Tokens: The performance and volatility of MEME tokens largely depend on crowd psychology, social media trends, and short-term events. This explains why the MEME category as a whole can experience strong growth, but specific tokens show uneven results.

  • Non-MEME Tokens: Categories like Solana, AI, and DeFi are often supported by stronger fundamental factors, such as underlying technology (Solana), practical applications (AI), and financial models (DeFi). This helps them maintain more stable performance during the analyzed period.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

4.1. Conclusion

  • Non-MEME Tokens (Chart 1) show a positive growth trend, with the MEME category leading in performance (+15.56%). However, other categories like Solana, AI, and DeFi also record stable growth, suitable for investors prioritizing safety.

  • MEME Tokens (Chart 2) largely show poor performance, with significant volatility and high risk. This suggests unevenness within the MEME category, where only a few standout tokens may achieve high performance, while the majority suffer from negative market influences.

  • The difference between the two charts emphasizes the high-risk nature of MEME tokens, as well as the potential of categories like Solana, AI, and DeFi in providing more stable performance.

4.2. Recommendations

  1. For Short-term Investors:

    • MEME tokens have high growth potential in the short term (as shown in Chart 1), but come with significant risks. Investors need to closely monitor factors such as market psychology, news, and social media trends to make timely decisions.

    • It is advisable to avoid poorly performing MEME tokens (like WIF, BONK) during this period, unless clear signs of recovery emerge.

  2. For Long-term Investors:

    • Categories like Solana, AI, and DeFi are safer options, with stable growth performance and less volatility. Long-term investors may consider allocating capital to these categories to minimize risk.

    • Further research is needed on the fundamental factors of each category, such as technology, development teams, and practical applications.

  3. Further Research:

    • To better understand the unevenness in the MEME category, investors should analyze specific tokens (such as which tokens have lifted the performance of this category as seen in Chart 1).

    • Additional market factors at the current time (May 25, 2025) need to be monitored to assess whether this trend continues.

5. Limitations and Next Research Directions

5.1. Limitations

  • This analysis is based solely on data from December 5 to May 22, 2025, and does not include long-term factors or specific events that may affect token prices (such as news, regulatory policies, or market events).

  • Chart 2 does not provide information on high-performing MEME tokens, thus failing to fully reflect the picture of this category.

5.2. Next Research Directions

  • Deeper analysis of specific MEME tokens that perform well to identify their success factors.

  • Compare the performance of token categories across different time periods to evaluate the sustainability of trends.

  • Consider external factors (such as market psychology, media events) to better explain the price fluctuations of the MEME token.

This analysis provides a detailed and academic view of cryptocurrency token price trends from December 5 to May 22, 2025, while also offering scientifically grounded recommendations for investors. If further information or deeper analysis is needed, I can assist in searching for and analyzing additional data!