MEXC Leads the Way in Meme Token Listings: 51 Initial Launches and 93% Market Coverage

Throughout 2024, the cryptocurrency market observed a notable rise in meme token trading, presenting exchanges with both challenges and opportunities. By November 2024, platforms such as Pumpfun had introduced more than 1.2 million new meme tokens, signaling a surge in activity among retail investors. 

During this time, several trends emerged: WIF's price continued to climb, BOME experienced a 1000x increase after being listed on Binance, and GOAT saw its price spike 100x in just one day. Additionally, meme tokens associated with AI Agents contributed to narratives around on-chain mining, emphasizing the changing dynamics of investor sentiment, exchange listing strategies, and market trends.

Data from DWF indicates that the market capitalization of meme tokens soared by 500% in 2024, hitting $120 billion. The rapid introduction of new tokens is clear, with 1.248 million meme tokens launched on Pumpfun in November alone, highlighting increased retail speculation and market liquidity.

These developments highlight the evolving relationship between investor sentiment, exchange listing strategies, and meme coin market cycles.

An analysis of six major exchanges — Binance, OKX, Bybit, Bitget, MEXC, and Gate.io — shows significant differences in their approach to meme tokens. MEXC has taken the lead in this niche, securing a first-mover advantage with 51 initial launches. It's followed by Gate with 9 first listings and Bitget with 7, while Binance, OKX, and Bybit had none.

Beyond these initial launches, MEXC also leads in the total number of meme token listings, offering 72 out of the 77 most popular meme coins (93.5%) on its platform. Gate.io follows with 66 listings (85.7%), significantly ahead of larger exchanges like Binance with 13 tokens and OKX with 17 tokens, which have adopted a more selective strategy.

As the meme coin sector continues to change, the gap between aggressive and cautious listing strategies is influencing how exchanges vie for market share. While platforms like Binance and OKX opt for more conservative approaches, MEXC's quick adoption of trending tokens makes it a preferred choice for meme coin traders.

MEXC's fast-tracked listing processes, which incorporate automated market analytics and real-time liquidity tracking, enable it to list tokens more swiftly than its competitors — often within mere hours. By blending rapid token approval with continuous market monitoring, the exchange caters to traders looking for early access to high-volatility assets, contrasting with larger platforms that focus on regulatory compliance and long-term sustainability.

In 2024, TokenInsight’s 2024 Annual Report placed MEXC 6th globally for spot trading volume and 5th for futures trading volume, distinguishing itself with its liquidity depth. The platform's spot market depth of $31.1 billion is the highest in its category, while its futures market depth exceeds $9.1 billion.