
Where to Put Your Meme Coin Profits: Secure Your Gains for the Long Term
Oct 25, 2024
5 min read
So, you’ve made it big in the world of meme coins or other crypto wins—congratulations! But what now? Knowing how and where to secure your profits is crucial to protecting your gains, especially in a market known for its volatility. While meme coins might bring short-term excitement and quick profits, finding a stable, long-term store of value is essential. Let’s explore the best options available, with a focus on stability, censorship resistance, and long-term growth.
1. Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC): The Premier Stores of Value
When it comes to securing profits in the crypto space, Ethereum and Bitcoin are the most reliable long-term options. Both networks have proven their durability, security, and decentralization over the years, making them the go-to assets for preserving value.
• Bitcoin (BTC): The most decentralized and censorship-resistant network, Bitcoin is often referred to as digital gold. It offers a robust, long-term store of value, and with the largest and most distributed network of nodes, it has shown itself to be resistant to state intervention and protocol manipulation. Bitcoin’s simplicity and the predictability of its fixed supply make it a safe harbor for profits when the crypto seas get rough.
• Ethereum (ETH): Ethereum has also established itself as a resilient network, with a strong focus on decentralized applications and smart contracts. The shift to proof of stake has increased its energy efficiency, while its extensive developer ecosystem continues to build out new financial tools and innovations. Holding ETH allows you to participate in the DeFi ecosystem, where you can earn additional yield through staking or liquidity provision.
Pro Tip: Consider Aave, Curve, or Yearn Finance for earning yield on your ETH. These long-standing DeFi protocols are trusted, have undergone extensive audits, the rest of time and offer diversified ways to grow your ETH or stable coin holdings.
2. Stablecoins: Finding Security Without Freeze Functions
If you prefer the stability of pegged assets, stablecoins can be a great way to park profits. However, not all stablecoins are created equal. Most of the biggest have built-in freeze functions, which allow the issuer or protocol to blacklist and freeze funds at specific addresses—potentially putting your assets at risk. Most are happy with this potential risk but for those more cautious and for some added diversification you can consider other options.
Options Without Freeze Functions:
• LUSD (Liquity USD): A decentralized stablecoin without any freeze functionality. LUSD is only collateralized by ETH, and its censorship-resistant design makes it a safer option for those seeking decentralization. However, keep in mind that liquidity can be lower compared to more centralized stablecoins like USDC but daily volumes on curve and uniswap are quite good as of writing.
• RAI: A non-pegged, algorithmic stablecoin that offers a censorship-resistant option with no freeze mechanisms. While it is relatively stable and not pegged to USD its liquidity and adoption are still currently very limited compared to other options.
3. Solana (SOL): High Performance, But Beware of Censorship Risks
Solana has been a star performer in this recent cycle, significantly outperforming Ethereum in terms of price. However, its reliance on a more permissions and centralized validator set means it is more vulnerable to potential government intervention and censorship in the future. Solana’s validator network is not as widely distributed as Ethereum or Bitcoin, making it theoretically easier for regulators or powerful entities to influence and crack down by targeting key individual or entities with major influence on the network.
• If you choose to keep some of your profits on Solana, you can use Solend (now called Save.Finance) to earn additional yield. Just be aware of the trade-offs in terms of decentralization and censorship risk and this protocol is overall less battle tested in the wild and over time in comparison to some of the more established ethereum based lending/saving protocols.
4. Decentralized Swaps: Moving Between Chains Safely
Diversification is key to protecting profits. Moving assets between chains like Ethereum and Bitcoin in a decentralized way helps maintain security while diversifying your portfolio. One of the best options for decentralized swapping is Thorchain.
• Thorchain: A cross-chain liquidity protocol that allows you to swap between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported assets without relying on centralized exchanges. Through dApps like ShapeShift, you can trade BTC, ETH, and other assets directly using Thorchain’s decentralized liquidity pools. However, be cautious—some centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized exchanges (DEXs) have started blacklisting addresses associated with Thorchain due to its decentralised nature.
5. Diversification: A Balanced Approach
While Bitcoin and Ethereum offer the most secure long-term storage options, it’s wise to maintain some exposure to other assets, particularly those that might offer yield opportunities or faster transaction times. Diversification across Ethereum, Bitcoin, stablecoins like LUSD or RAI, and assets like Solana ensures that you have a well-rounded portfolio that can handle different market conditions.
However, it’s important to remember that in a severe market crisis, only BTC and ETH are likely to maintain their value and integrity due to their established and secure networks. Holding a diversified mix of assets, while prioritizing BTC and ETH, helps you manage risk while staying exposed to potential growth opportunities.
Another consideration for significant profits is top NFT profile picture (PFP) projects like Pudgy Penguins, which have demonstrated serious potential as long-term stores of value. Their appeal stems not only from universal attraction and strategic leadership but also from the strong commitment to holders and the considerable upside potential they offer. The Pudgy Penguins team is focused on promoting mass consumer adoption of blockchain through Abstract Chain, removing traditional crypto onboarding barriers by prioritizing user-friendly UI/UX design.
These NFTs effectively serve as Veblen goods—where their increased price can make them more desirable, symbolizing prestige and community status. As such, they enable holders to define and refine their digital identity within exclusive communities. Despite fluctuations in floor prices, well-resourced projects with clear roadmaps and strong vision are building ecosystems that elevate personal branding and reputation. Modern branding increasingly centers around personal brand over faceless companies, and NFTs support this shift. The true value of NFTs will increasingly lie in an individual’s digital character, with the potential for monetizing the influence and reputation built around it. As digital personas and character-building grow within these ecosystems, viable monetization pathways could emerge, adding value to NFT assets and solidifying their role in long-term personal and financial growth.
Adding the right NFT PFP to your diversification portfolio can significantly enhance your long-term personal brand and reputation within the crypto space. Choosing a well-established, high-quality project not only aligns with your values but also reinforces your digital persona. Higher-end projects with strong communities and roadmaps, such as Pudgy Penguins, offer more than just an asset—they become part of your digital identity and social capital. Over time, as the value of these projects grows and you build your reputation, these NFTs serve as a store of value that reflects your personal journey and influence in the digital world.
Overall, If you’ve made significant gains from meme coins or other high-risk ventures in crypto, securing those profits is crucial. Ethereum and Bitcoin remain the top stores of value, given their decentralization, censorship resistance, and network resilience. While other options like Solana, stablecoins, and yield-generating DeFi protocols offer additional ways to grow and secure your assets, it’s essential to understand the trade-offs associated with each.
By using tools like Thorchain for decentralized swapping, leveraging DeFi protocols like Aave, and staying informed about the stability and censorship resistance of assets, you can make well-rounded decisions that safeguard your crypto gains for the long term.