NAIROBI (CoinChapter.com) — The Chill Guy meme coin, inspired by the viral TikTok sensation “Just a Chill Guy,” has taken the crypto world by storm. Within a week of its Nov. 15 launch, the token reached a $420 million market cap, attracting 120,000 holders on the Solana-based PumpFun platform. However, legal disputes threaten its meteoric rise.
‘Chill Guy’ Meme Sparks Frenzy Amid Legal Pushback
The Chill Guy meme, a smirking cartoon dog in casual attire created by artist Philip Banks, has gained massive traction on social media. Fans resonate with its laid-back persona, propelling the Chill Guy coin to prominence. Despite the hype, Banks warned on Nov. 21 that the character is copyrighted and announced plans to issue takedowns against profit-driven projects using his creation.
ChillGuy/SOL market activity on Raydium. Source: DexScreener
The announcement caused Chill Guy coin’s value to drop by 54% from $500 million to $220 million. It has since recovered to $375 million, bolstered by community efforts. Supporters created a donation wallet holding $300,000 in tokens, including Chill Guy coin, to gain Banks’ approval. However, Banks has taken his X account private and has not shown interest in resolving the matter.
Retail Investors Flood Crypto Amid Memecoin Craze
The rise of Chill Guy coin highlights a growing trend of retail investors diving into memecoins. Moonshot, a Solana-focused app in partnership with MoonPay, reported record single-day onramp activity on Nov. 19. Meanwhile, wallets like Phantom and Coinbase have climbed app store rankings, reflecting retail demand.
Mark Kacy’s TikTok profile with popular videos. Source: TikTok
On Nov. 21, TikTok creator Mark Kacy promoted a KACY token, which quickly reached a $70 million market capitalization. However, the volatile nature of the memecoin sector has made it a risky space for new entrants.
Above all, Chill Guy coin’s trajectory hinges on resolving its copyright dispute with Banks. Whether it can maintain its viral momentum or fall victim to legal complications remains to be seen.
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