If we’re being honest, the deck is stacked against average Americans in the financial industry. It’s no surprise that for too long, Wall Street fat cats have been the ones calling the shots, ASEAN SMEs really just left to pick up the scraps. Old school banks? Well, they just want to profit off their clients too, rather than actually get the “little guy” in his garage going. There’s a digital revolution brewing, a TikTok teleological rebellion born of memes and good vibes and the undeniable yearning to fugue the utopia. And it's called meme coins.

Wall Street's Nightmare Little Guy's Dream

Meme coins? Seriously? I hear the skepticism. You’re imagining Dogecoin, Shiba Inu – here today, gone tomorrow meme stocks. You’re imagining new overnight millionaires and equally sudden bankruptcies. And you're not wrong. There's risk. There's volatility. But isn’t that the whole idea of entrepreneurship?

Think about it. What if thought ASEAN’s dynamic SMEs, mainly under-rated, might do this along with the same propeller which is taking digital memes to viral achievement? Just think of the stars they might become! What if, instead of begging for loans from soulless institutions, they could directly access capital from a community that believes in them?

We've seen it happen already. Consider TOKEN6900, a self-dubbed “brain rot” coin that does its best to tell you upfront that it has no utility. Yet, it raised over $150,000 overnight. Why? Because it tapped into something fundamental: a shared feeling of disillusionment with the status quo, a desire to stick it to "the man."

Look, I’m not recommending that every SME create their own meme coin by next Tuesday. All I’m saying is that there’s an equally strong lesson lurking here. Well, the internet has been doing that to finance with or without Wall Street’s permission. And ASEAN SMEs, buoyed by their agility and digital acumen, are poised to take advantage of this trend.

From "Kiasu" to Crypto-Savvy

We Southeast Asians, we’re supposed to be “kiasu” – scared of losing out. What if instead we took that enthusiasm, that natural competitive spirit, and focused it all into figuring out this new digital frontier? What if we imagine going from kiasu to crypto-savvy?

ASEAN is a region brimming with creativity, with a unique culture that blends ancient traditions with modern innovation. We’re the nation of lively farmers’ markets, of delicious public markets and food halls, of flourishing immigrant communities. Now, picture the impact if you can utilize your natural knack for social dynamics. Imagine the loyal following you could build for a meme coin tied to your business.

Imagine your favorite local "nasi lemak" stall opening a coin called "LEMAKCOIN," providing holders with discounts and special rewards. Now picture that batik artist making a digital token that conveys ownership of one of her limited-edition pieces. The possibilities are endless.

This isn’t merely an issue of getting rich quick. It’s not just about developing brand loyalty or creating community — it’s about an entire financial ecosystem that enables small, local businesses to thrive. It’s more than just a cost savings, it’s about control, taking control of our own destiny.

Volatility? Opportunity Knocking Loudly

Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: volatility. Meme coins are notoriously unpredictable. Their prices can go through the roof one day and fall completely off the map the next. I submit, I implore you, isn’t that the case for any new endeavor? Well, isn’t that the risk you assume when you have the audacity to become an entrepreneur?

The answer is not to eliminate the risk, but to be clever, to be strategic, to mitigate that risk. Rather, don’t put all your eggs on the show basket. Diversify. And finally, don’t forget to be honest with your community about the peril this project represents.

TOKEN6900 is a prime example. They're upfront about their lack of utility. They embrace their "meme-ness." That transparency, that accountability is what speaks to their community.

Know what your coin is intended to do. Be open about the risks. And, most importantly, be authentic. Don't try to be something you're not. Lead with who you are, with your local character, and use that to rise to the top.

What’s more, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, another billionaire, has been touting Bitcoin as an inflation hedge. He's challenging traditional norms. We can do the same.

This isn't just about making money. It's about building a better future for ASEAN SMEs, a future where they're not beholden to traditional institutions, where they have the power to control their own financial destiny. It’s about making a new, more equitable, more inclusive, more exciting financial future. It’s all about delighting through the meme, and seizing upon it, and riding it literally to the moon. So, are you in?