Meme coins, a cryptocurrency token category born out of internet memes and community engagement, first emerged in 2013 and gained significant public attention during the 2021 bull run and in subsequent market cycles.
Recent reports show that institutional and development interest in meme coins has picked up in 2025, with the market for meme-coin launches estimated at over US $70 million and top-performing tokens delivering average ROIs near 150%.
This guide will offer illustrated, step-by-step instructions on how to buy meme coins on Coinbase. We will also cover alternative methods, such as utilizing popular cryptocurrency wallets and DeFi apps.
How to buy meme coins on Coinbase: Step-by-step guide
Outlined below are the four simple steps to buy meme coins such as Pepe Coin via a tier-1 cryptocurrency exchange.
Due to the decentralized nature of meme coins, it is strongly recommended that you do your own research and assess your risk appetite before investing in meme tokens.
Step 1: Download Coinbase and create a new account
Our experts have opted for Coinbase for this demonstration, as it remains one of the leading crypto exchanges worldwide in 2025 and a good starting point for traders seeking to buy meme coins.
Coinbase provides cryptocurrency trading services and other web3 products to more than 100 countries worldwide and is recognized as a trustworthy, secure, and compliant crypto platform.
Firstly, visit the official Coinbase site and sign up. For this demonstration, we opted for an Apple iOS mobile device and are accessing Coinbase via a web browser.
Step 2: Set a password and enter personal information
The next step requires entering your legal name as displayed on government-issued ID documentation. The email address will automatically be recognized. However, it is good practice to double-check and ensure it is correct.
Set a secure password using a mixture of alphanumeric and special characters, check the disclaimer, and click “Create Free Account”.
Next, Coinbase will send a verification email to your account, which you must open to activate your account. Click the “Activate Account” button or open the activation link provided in the email in a web browser.
Your account will now be activated successfully.
Step 3: Verify identity documents and link payment method
At the next stage, you must submit Know Your Customer (KYC) information to utilize Coinbase’s full services.
You must upload an official government-issued form of ID, such as a passport or driving license. You must also confirm your primary country of residence and full address, accompanied by two utility or bank statements matching the details provided.
Facial screenshots via KYC and compliance apps such as OnFido may also be requested during registration.
US customers must add a payment method, provide supporting documents, and verify the bank account. Two small verification amounts will be sent to your account, which you must enter correctly in the ‘Payment Methods’ section. You can also opt for “Instant Verification”, which utilizes a third-party app.
Compliant Crypto Exchange: Coinbase is a leader in crypto compliance as of 2025 from a regulatory standpoint. This Web3 corporation is a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ stock index under the ticker symbol COIN. Coinbase is considered one of the most secure crypto exchanges due to its commitment to compliance and stringent regulatory oversight.
Step 4: Buy meme coins directly via bank account
Coinbase supports directly purchasing cryptocurrencies via a linked bank account. Alternatively, you can conduct an ACH wire transfer to pre-fund your Coinbase account in fiat before purchasing any crypto assets.
We opted for the instant buy method, which proved faster for buying crypto, which can be traded immediately. Buying directly with your bank account also has higher buy and sell limits.
You can buy a range of the leading spotlight meme coins like Pepe and Doge on Coinbase, although availability and services may change due to ongoing US regulatory adjustments in 2025.
Navigate to the top list in the “Individuals” category and select the “Buy and Sell” option. You will come to an exchange window to buy crypto directly using a bank account. Next, select which crypto meme coin you would like to purchase and enter the amount.
If the token trades on Ethereum, Solana, or BNB Chain, make sure you hold a small amount of the base coin (ETH, SOL, or BNB) to cover network fees, or use a USD stablecoin on the correct network before swapping.
Also, check and confirm your desired payment method or linked bank account in the second box. Then follow the security verification process stages and confirm the purchase.
Tip: If you swap on a DEX, set a sensible slippage limit to avoid bad fills during volatile moves.
Your newly purchased crypto should appear in the Balances section of your account. Processing times and fees can vary, so it’s good practice to see the available payment options in your region.
Factor in exchange fees, any 1% swap fee for DEX trades via Coinbase Wallet, and variable network fees that rise when the chain is busy.
Other ways to invest in meme coins
Below, find a table listing other methods of buying meme coins. Included are centralized exchanges and in-wallet options.
| Kraken – Crypto exchange aiming for an IPO | You can buy meme coins on Kraken via their centralized trading platform, which continues to expand its potential and new listings in 2025. You will need to provide KYC identity verification on Kraken and connect a funding method to purchase over 200 cryptos, including spotlight meme tokens on SOL like $PEPE and $WIF. |
| Binance via (Binance.US) – Leading crypto exchange by trading volumes | Binance is ranked the top crypto exchange by daily trading volumes. US traders can use Binance.US to have access to over 150 cryptocurrencies and four stablecoins. You can buy, sell, and trade notable meme coins such as Dogecoin, Floki, and Shiba Inu. |
| ByBit – Access to meme coin spot markets, futures, and derivatives | You can buy meme coins on ByBit with over 60 different fiat currencies, and as of 2025, zero-fee Apple Pay and Google Pay purchases remain available for selected regions. ByBit offers a wide selection of 20+ meme coins available to buy directly with fiat, with zero fees when utilizing Apple Pay and GPay. However, you should examine ByBit’s supported jurisdictions when buying crypto with debit card payments. |
| Crypto Wallet – Purchase meme coin directly in the MetaMask wallet app | MetaMask is one of the most widely used crypto wallets among crypto traders. Depending on your region, you can buy meme coins directly from within the MetaMask wallet via third-party firms that provide fiat on/off ramping services. Using a non-custodial crypto wallet, you can also connect to DexTools or Uniswap to invest in meme coins directly on decentralized exchanges. |
To discover new tokens and the best crypto presales to buy now, check reputable trackers like CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, and DEXTools, and confirm liquidity/volume before trading.
How to sell meme coins
There are several ways to sell meme coins, and the best option may vary depending on your region, exchange access, and liquidity conditions as of 2025.
Some are better suited for traders wishing to maintain a crypto portfolio or trade on decentralized exchanges. Selling cryptos instantly to receive fiat currency directly to your bank account is also an option.
But before you sell, remember that, in the United States, sales and swaps are typically taxable events, so track cost basis and realized gains for reporting.
Now that we have clarity regarding taxes, you can read on to find out how to sell meme coins.
Sell meme coins for crypto: Crypto exchanges will provide access to crypto-to-crypto trading pair markets. You can swap meme coins directly for other cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, or stablecoins such as Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), or PayPal USD (PYUSD), which gained traction in 2024. This method is more suitable if you wish to maintain a crypto portfolio or are day trading in the crypto markets.
Fiat on/off ramp: Several companies provide on and off ramping to crypto with fiat currencies. Crypto payment platforms such as MoonPay, Banxa, Simplex, and Ramp now provide multiple regional payment rails, including ACH, SEPA, PIX, and instant debit support in 2025. These firms have authorization from financial clearing houses such as ACH and PIX. You can sell meme coins through these third parties and receive fiat directly in your bank account.
Swap on DeFi dApps: Decentralized exchanges are a great place to explore the world of DeFi. Relatively new or upcoming meme coins that aren’t on mainstream crypto exchanges will likely be listed on DEX platforms such as UniSwap, Pancakeswap, Jupiter, and Raydium, which have seen heavy meme-coin traffic on Solana and Ethereum in 2025. What is great about DeFi swaps is that you have limitless options regarding which crypto you wish to swap for, provided the trading pair has available liquidity. Remember to always paste the token’s official contract address from a trusted source to avoid counterfeit look-alikes.
Expert Tip: Crypto enthusiasts will know the rule of never leaving all of your crypto assets on one centralized exchange. As evidenced by the FTX collapse, it is recommended that you learn about secure wallets for ERC20 coins. It is essential to explore best security practices for storing crypto assets, including using reputable hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor and enabling multi-factor authentication on all exchange accounts.
What are meme coins?
Meme coins are a category of blockchain-based crypto tokens that poke fun and humor at a cartoon, company, person, or internet meme. Some of the best Solana meme coins experienced explosive price rallies from late 2023 through April 2024 in what became known as the ‘Solana meme frenzy‘, with trading activity still robust in early 2025.
One of the most noteworthy meme coins is Dogecoin, which popularized the Shiba Inu dog theme in the crypto sector. $DOGE was created as a community token that could act as a tipping mechanism to be used by Doge supporters to reward fellow community members for sharing funny Shiba dog memes across retro chat forums like 4Chan.
Another popular meme coin is the Pepe coin, which really took inspiration from one of the biggest internet memes of the 2000s. Pepe Coin’s branding was inspired by the Pepe the Frog character, which has skyrocketed the crypto and internet communities’ love and admiration of the character.
Overall, meme coins are a unique token category that has continued to gain public attention and institutional interest through 2025. This category of tokens usually launches without a roadmap, whitepaper, or solid project foundation.
They are simply tokens launched for the crypto community to enjoy, buy, sell, and trade; they are also used to create and share memes on social media.
While they are much more risky than traditional cryptos, there is a certain thrill for the younger generation of crypto degen traders with little financial responsibility to ape into meme coins.
Tip: Check out our catalog of step-by-step guides for presales, including PlayDoge, Base Dawgz, and WienerAI, among other meme coins that are launching in presale. By providing buying guides, we aim to assist users in better understanding how to navigate the Web3 world and the necessary tools.
