Memecoins are where the real degen stories come from. One guy apes $50 into PEPE and wakes up a millionaire. Another drops $5K into a rug and ends up holding bags of worthless tokens.
But before you chase memes, you gotta know where to buy them. Do you use a CEX (Centralized Exchange) or a DEX (Decentralized Exchange)? Let’s break it down.
Memecoins on CEXs
CEX = Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, Bybit.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly
- Big liquidity once tokens are listed
- Easier fiat on/off ramps
- Customer support if you mess up
Cons:
- Only the biggest memes get listed (DOGE, SHIB, PEPE)
- By the time they list, the insane gains are usually gone
- Full KYC → no privacy, can limit withdrawals
- Still custodial (not your keys, not your coins)
Example: SHIB hit Binance in 2021 after insane hype. Early degens were already x100 up. CEX buyers basically bought the top.
Memecoins on DEXs
DEX = Uniswap, PancakeSwap, Jupiter (Solana).
Pros:
- First place new memes appear
- No KYC → anyone with a wallet can trade
- 24/7, borderless, pure degen playground
- Full custody of your funds
Cons:
- Tons of scams (fake tokens, rugs, honeypots)
- Low liquidity on new coins → high slippage
- Gas fees (ETH can be expensive, Solana is cheap)
- No support → if you ape wrong, you’re wrecked
Example: PEPE launched on Uniswap in April 2023. Early buyers on DEX made insane returns. It only hit CEXs weeks later, when the early x100s were already gone.
DEX vs CEX for Memes
- CEX = safer, later, lower risk, lower reward.
- DEX = riskier, earlier, higher reward potential.
If you want safety → stick to CEXs, grab coins once they’ve proven staying power.
If you want moonshot potential → DEX is the only way, but be ready for rugs.
How to Survive on DEX
- Always check the token contract (from official project socials).
- Watch liquidity — low liquidity = easy rug.
- Use small test buys before going big.
- Stick to chains with low fees (BNB, Solana, Base).
- Don’t go all-in on hype — most memes go to zero.
Real-World Numbers
- DOGE → listed on major CEXs, $10B+ market cap, still around.
- PEPE → launched on Uniswap, early buyers made x100, late buyers rekt.
- Over 70% of new memecoins in 2023 launched on DEXs, not CEXs.
Final Word
CEX is for normies. DEX is for true degens.
If you just want exposure to big names like DOGE or SHIB, a CEX works fine. But if you want to chase the next 100x meme before it hits the news, the only place to hunt is a DEX.
Just remember: the higher the upside, the higher the chance you end up holding a worthless bag. Ape smart, not blind.
Wagmi 🚀
