Deep Dive
1. SEC Policy Shift (29 Dec 2025)
Overview:
SEC Deputy Director Cicely LaMothe retired after 24 years, having shaped critical policies on meme coins and staking. Her exit creates regulatory uncertainty as new leadership takes over during ongoing crypto rulemaking.
What this means:
This is neutral-to-bearish for MEME in the short term. LaMothe's frameworks enabled compliance pathways for meme projects – her replacement's stance on "community tokens" remains unclear. The SEC acknowledged her contributions but hasn't signaled policy changes (CoinMarketCap).
2. KuCoin Delisting (23 Dec 2025)
Overview:
KuCoin removed MEME from Cross Margin Trading, forcing position closures and asset transfers. The exchange cited "risk management" but didn't specify MEME-related issues.
What this means:
Bearish liquidity signal. MEME's 24h volume surged 124% post-announcement (to $28M), likely from forced selling. Turnover ratio remains low at 0.397, suggesting ongoing thin markets despite the spike (KuCoin).
3. 2025 Memecoin Autopsy (30 Dec 2025)
Overview:
Analysts declared 2025 the "year memecoins grew up" after Trump/Melania tokens crashed 75-90%, while infrastructure plays like Pump.fun earned $834M. Traders now eye "AI Agent Memes" and cultural staples like DOGE for 2026.
What this means:
Mixed for MEME. While the broader memecoin sector bled (-73% market cap), MEME showed relative resilience with a 15% weekly gain. However, its 90-day -51% drop reflects lingering "tourist capital" exodus (U40-Crypto).
Conclusion
MEME faces headwinds from regulatory transitions and exchange risk management, but its position as an established memecoin (vs. 2025's failed political tokens) provides relative stability. With turnover low and the Fear & Greed Index at 34, will MEME become a "blue chip meme" or fade in 2026's utility-focused market?