Meme tokens remain highly volatile, but gaining listing on centralized exchanges like Upbit signifies a rigorous vetting process.
Upbit, a leading South Korean exchange, has historically boosted new assets post-listing. However, its conservative approach means even top meme tokens face scrutiny. For instance:
- BONK listed on October 22 after surging demand.
- PEPE and BRETT required two years of trading history (since August 21) under South Korea’s new regulatory framework.
🔍 Key Requirements for Listing:
- Two-year trading history on major global exchanges (e.g., Binance, OKX).
- Compliance with Korea’s Virtual Asset Protection Act for teamless projects.
Why These Tokens?
Upbit prioritizes liquidity-tested memes:
| Token | Market Cap (Peak) | Current Status |
|--------|-------------------|-------------------------|
| PEPE | $1B+ | Cleared Binance’s risk list |
| BRETT | $1B (now $770M) | Volatile but established |
| BONK | — | Highly volatile |
👉 Explore meme token trends on OKX
Market Volatility and Emerging Competitors
Despite Upbit’s boost, meme tokens face sharp corrections:
- Total market cap dropped from $600B to $563B.
- New contenders (e.g., NEIRO, POPCAT) struggle to meet the two-year rule.
Top Competing Categories:
- Legacy Memes: Dog-themed coins (most liquid).
- SPX6900 Cohort: Promoted by Murad Mahmudov (WIF, MICHI).
- AI-Driven Tokens: High-risk, decentralized (e.g., GOAT).
FAQs
Q: Does Upbit listing guarantee price rallies?
A: No—MEW surged post-listing but faced withdrawals due to thin liquidity.
Q: Which meme tokens qualify next?
A: Only FLOKI currently meets the two-year rule.
Q: Why is South Korea strict on memes?
A: Regulations aim to curb unvetted projects without teams/roadmaps.
👉 Stay updated on crypto listings here
Analysis reflects market conditions as of 2025.