Why Virality Doesn't Always Equate To Big Gains: A Lesson In 4k

Written by Jason Krutzky, Chartered Meme Technician at Spot Trading.

If you were on the internet at any point yesterday, you probably saw it: the "Caught In 4k" Coldplay concert video. 

A couple on the jumbotron, happy and hugging, suddenly realize they’re on camera. The woman covers her face, and the man ducks for cover. Why the panic? It turns out he’s a CEO, and she’s his HR head. Ruh roh. 

Embarrassing? Sure. Viral? Absolutely. 

📉 Why Virality Doesn't Always Equate To Big Gains

The video exploded. It was everywhere, and naturally, it got ‘coined’. $4k (Caught In 4k) was born, going from zero to a $3.5 million market cap in about six hours. Pretty wild gains, especially if you were early. 

Based solely on the virality of the video, it seemed as though the coin would be a sure winner. We haven’t seen a video go this viral since the Morning Routine guy, after all, and his coin went to $19m. 

But then, just as fast as it rose, it crashed.

By day’s end, $4k could have been called $2k, because its market cap was sliced in half. By this morning, it was down nearly 90% from its high, trading at just $400k. 

So, how did a coin tied to such a viral moment with huge engagement and memetic value die so quickly? Are memecoins dead? Is virality no longer enough?

I think the answer is simple: the coin died because the story, at its core, was a tragic one.

 📈 What Makes A Memecoin Actually Work?

To understand why $4k flopped, we need to get what makes a memecoin actually work. Virality is just the first step. Here’s what else you need:

1. It Must Be Fun, Silly, and Unserious first. If it makes people lol or shake their heads in disbelief, you might have something. Humor and silliness are universal. Positive vibes may not spread as fast, but they certainly last longer than any scandal.

2. It Must Be Universal. The more people it resonates with—across languages, cultures, and timelines—the more power it has. 

3. It Must Be Remixable. A good meme isn’t a dead-end; it’s a launchpad. It should be able to express a dozen feelings at once, adapting and evolving. 

4. It Must Have A Narrative That Can Attract A Community. Beyond the meme, a strong, engaged community that can rally around a shared story is key. 

While there are other factors at play, like tokenomics and holder count/distribution, the above criteria are the bare minimum. Without them, a memecoin is DOA.

 📝 The Lesson In $4K

$4k’s quick fall was harsh, but it offers us an important reminder: Not all virality is created equal. 

A sudden burst of attention can offer solid returns if you’re quick to the draw, but real, sustainable growth in the memecoin world comes from positive sentiment, universal relatability, and ongoing creative engagement. 

Remember to consider these things next time you ape, my friends. I will do the same.

And, hey, at least we got this fun game out of it, right?