A Wild Ride with Labubu: The Meme Coin and Toy Phenomenon
In a nutshell
- Unofficial Labubu meme coin on Solana, inspired by the viral Labubu dolls, has skyrocketed to a market cap of $49.16 million over the past two weeks.
- A popular trend, Labubu dolls have been removed from shelves due to safety concerns and violent customer responses.
- Originating from Pump.fun in October 2024, the meme coin's price has surged after gaining traction among Labubu fans.
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Solana Labubu Meme Coin Experiences Surge to $49 Million Following Pause in Toy Sales Popularity
An unofficial Labubu meme coin, inspired by the adorable Labubu toy range, has witnessed astronomical growth over the past two weeks, currently holding a market cap of $49.16 million. The coin's popularity surged alongside the Labubu dolls' viral fame.
The chaos surrounding these cute collectibles led to an unprecedented situation where stores had to pull them from shelves to prevent violent confrontations between eager customers.
Dating back to October 2024, the Labubu (LABUBU) meme coin was born on Pump.fun. After briefly hitting a $10 million market cap, it retraced, only to bounce back to $18.5 million before plummeting back to under a million—where it lay dormant for months.
According to DEX Screener, the LABUBU meme coin went from a market cap of $814,710 in October 2024 to its current $49.16 million, seven months later. After a 15% recent retracement, the token now stands at $41.55 million.
Pop Mart, the retailer for Labubu dolls, spoke to BBC News, sharing their decision to halt sales in their stores to address potential safety issues. Incidents of fighting and chaos erupted in stores across the UK as customers vied for the sought-after toys.
What are Labubu toys?
Labubu collectible toys are an eccentric blend of furry bunny rabbits and wacky monsters, sold in blind boxes. The thrill of not knowing which version you'll receive adds to the toy's appeal. Multiple versions of Labubu dolls exist, but soft bag charms have gained popularity as fashion accessories, with celebrities like Rihanna sporting them.
The whimsical figure originated in 2015 as part of a picture book series titled "The Monsters" by Hong Kong-born artist Casing Lung. After settling in the Netherlands, he drew inspiration from Nordic folklore and childlike fantasies. The Labubu toy line was officially introduced by How2Work, a Hong Kong-based company, in 2015. In 2024, Labubu saw a significant spike in popularity after K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink was seen with a Labubu keychain, causing a trend among fans in Southeast and East Asia.
Labubu's popularity reached new heights in 2025 due to the trend of blind boxes, the TikTok phenomenon, and celebrity endorsements. With the toys being removed from shelves, Labubu fans are turning to the meme coin to quench their insatiable thirst for the viral toy.
"I bought $LABUBU because having Labubus just wasn't enough," tweeted LadyETH, a pseudonymous crypto trader and Labubu devotee.
Learn More:
- Labubu's origins, from conception to rise, showcasing an amalgamation of Chinese creativity, Nordic folklore, and global cultural influences.
- Delve into how the trend of blind boxes contributed to Labubu's popularity and its comparison to other collectible sensations.
- Explore the controversy surrounding Labubu's safety concerns and their impact on fan behavior.
Written by Stacy Elliott
- The Labubu meme coin, inspired by the adorable Labubu toy range, has witnessed significant growth, currently holding a market cap of $49.16 million.
- In the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), a new social-media trend has emerged around Labubu, with fans turning to cryptocurrency trading platforms to invest in the $LABUBU token.
- The entertainment industry has seen an unusual intersection with crypto and pop-culture, as Labubu meme coin continues to thrive amidst the viral fame of these collectible toys.
- Fans of Labubu, the viral toy phenomenon, are now actively participating in the decentralized ecosystem, with the entertainment/toy industry and the crypto sphere both experiencing a remarkable blend of culture and finance.
