On August 21, 2025, Kanye West officially announced the launch of his meme coin YZY. The rapid rise and fall of the token market led to several speculations and renewed attention on meme coins.
Launch and Rise of YZY
The launch of YZY was actively supported by Kanye West. Within 15 minutes of listing on the Moonshot platform, YZY’s market capitalization soared from $200 million to $3.4 billion, before falling below $1 billion. Market participants reported daily trading volumes exceeding $380 million.
Tokenomics: Transparency or Manipulation?
At first glance, YZY’s distribution appears balanced: 20% for public sale, 10% for liquidity, and 30% for Yeezy Investments LLC. However, over 70% of the tokens are held by insiders, raising suspicions of market manipulation. Data analysis revealed that 94% of YZY is controlled by internal wallets, which is alarming for investors.
Legal Aspects and Kanye's Contradictions
YZY's legal terms include a clause waiving class action rights, which raises additional concerns among investors. Furthermore, Kanye West previously stated that he would never issue a coin, casting doubt on his current position and motives in launching YZY.
The launch of YZY raises important questions about the risks associated with meme coins. Investors should be aware of potential manipulations and legal pitfalls before engaging in such projects.
