Copycats and Originals: The Ethics of Meme Coin Imitation

Introduction: When Every Dog Has the Same Hat

Walk through the memecoin lists on any given day in 2025 and you’ll see dozens of tokens riffing on the same themes: dog coins, cat coins, frog coins, AI coins, politician coins. Many are blatant clones—down to the ticker and logo—with minor tweaks to supply or tax structure. Others claim originality but copy contract code verbatim. At what point does inspiration cross into plagiarism? And why should traders care?

This article examines the proliferation of copycat meme coins, how they impact the broader ecosystem, and why originality (or at least ethical licensing) matters. We’ll discuss examples of both honourable homage and shameless rip‑offs, and we’ll explore how platforms like dexcelerate.com can help you differentiate between them.

The Meme Copy Machine

Meme coin culture thrives on remixing. After Dogecoin and Shiba Inu went viral, countless dog and cat variants emerged. When Fartcoin launched on pump.fun with its digital fart sounds and AI‑driven engagement, copycats quickly surfaced with names like “FartInu” and “GasCoin.” In the AI meme category, KiboShib’s status as the first AI‑generated meme coin from 2022 spawned dozens of “AI Doge” and “ChatPEPE” clones. Sometimes the clones add unique features, but often they simply replicate supply and branding to siphon off hype.

While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it can dilute value. If ten identical dog coins split the same audience, none may achieve escape velocity. Worse, scammers use copycat names to trick buyers into purchasing the wrong token. For example, there are at least three “Pepe” tokens that are unrelated to the original and exist solely to piggyback on the meme.

The Case for Licensing and Originality

The TROLL memecoin offers a blueprint for ethical brand usage. In August 2025, TROLL secured an exclusive global license to use the famous Trollface artwork, paying a six‑figure fee and agreeing to an 11% royalty on merchandise revenue. By formalizing content rights, TROLL reduces copyright risk and sets a precedent for memecoins to respect intellectual property. That legitimacy can help projects get listed on major exchanges and gain trust.

Originality can also drive performance. The AInvest report notes that tokens with unique narratives and utility—like Brett and Snek—saw outsized returns. Brett’s comic inspiration and Snek’s Cardano roots differentiate them from clones. Memes that offer real innovations, such as PENGU’s NFT integration or WEPE’s cross‑chain staking, give holders more reasons to stick around.

Why Copycats Persist

1. Low Barrier to Entry: Deploying a token costs a few dollars on chains like Solana. Even if a copycat rug pulls, the creator can launch another.
2. Pump Hopping: Traders chase whichever meme is pumping that day. Copycats hope to ride that wave for a quick 2× before the original resurges.
3. Search Engine Confusion: On DEX interfaces and scanners, similar tickers can mislead traders. “DOGE2.0” or “WIFHAT” may appear next to the real Dogecoin or Dogwifhat.
4. Regulatory Vacuum: Since most meme coins aren’t regulated securities, there’s little deterrent for plagiarizing branding. That could change as lawsuits mount.

Evaluating a Clone: Checkpoints

Before aping into what looks like a familiar meme, ask yourself:

• Is the Contract Renounced? Renounced contracts and disabled mint authority reduce rug risk. Dexcelerate’s audit flags help you see if the dev can mint infinite tokens.
• What’s the Supply and Tax Structure? Copycats often change supply or taxes to enrich insiders. Compare to the original.
• Does It Offer Anything New? A clone with no new features is purely speculative. If it adds AI‑driven governance, cross‑chain staking or NFT integration, it might warrant a second look.
• Are There Licensing Rights? If a token uses a famous meme without permission, it could face takedowns. TROLL’s licence is a model. Ask if the team did something similar.
• Who Is Promoting It? If only shady call channels shill the coin, be careful. Projects with legitimate innovation often have broader media coverage.

How Dexcelerate Helps Filter Copycats

With thousands of tokens launching each month, manual screening is impossible. Here’s how dexcelerate.com can help:

• Contract Flagging: The scanner shows whether contracts are renounced and mint/freeze authorities are disabled, helping you avoid backdoor rug pulls.
• Channels Leaderboards: You can see which callers consistently pick winners versus those who spam copycats. This helps curate your influencer feed.
• Watchlist Keyword Filters: Set filters to exclude tokens containing certain substrings (e.g., “2.0,” “v2”) or to highlight tokens with licensing announcements.
• Liquidity and Volume Metrics: Copycats often have low liquidity. Dexcelerate displays liquidity and volume so you can avoid illiquid traps.

Conclusion: Originality Has Value

Copying memes is as old as internet culture, but in a financial context it affects real capital. While some clones add genuine innovation, many exist solely to siphon hype from originals. Respect for intellectual property—like TROLL’s licence deal—and creative twists can make a meme coin stand out in a sea of clones. Before investing, evaluate whether the project is pushing the meme forward or just hitching a free ride. Tools like dexcelerate.com can assist by providing on‑chain safety checks and filtering influencer noise. In the end, copycats will always exist, but degens can choose originality over imitation—and get rewarded for it.