YZY, the meme token launched by rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West), briefly fell below $1 per token following a dramatic price drop after reaching a peak of around $3 in the hours following its announcement. The token, part of a broader project called Yeezy Money, was released on the Solana blockchain and includes a payment processor and a card for transacting with digital assets. The token’s price decline reflects the volatile nature of meme-based cryptocurrencies, which often see sharp swings tied to market sentiment and speculation.
According to Odaily GMGN market data, the price of YZY had fallen to 1.8 USDT as of late in the week, representing a 43% drop from its high point shortly after launch. This decline brought the token’s valuation back to around $1.5 billion from an initial peak of $3 billion, according to data from CoinGecko and GeckoTerminal. Analysts and industry observers have noted the typical trajectory of such projects, where rapid gains are often followed by corrections as the market digests the hype and assesses long-term viability.
YZY was distributed using a unique anti-sniping mechanism designed to prevent bots and front-running traders from dominating the initial token allocation. The system involved deploying 25 contract addresses, with only one selected as the official token address. This approach aimed to give a more balanced chance to retail investors and discourage speculative behavior in the early stages of the token’s launch.
The Yeezy Money ecosystem, in addition to the YZY token, also includes a payment processor called Ye Pay and a YZY Card, which allows users to spend the token and the stablecoin USDC. The tokenomics are structured with 20% of the total supply allocated for public distribution, 10% for liquidity, and 70% reserved for Yeezy Investments LLC. The structure emphasizes long-term vesting and liquidity management, though the recent price drop has sparked skepticism about the effectiveness of these strategies in maintaining token value.
While YZY’s initial price surge drew comparisons to other high-profile meme coin launches, such as Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency, the recent correction highlights the unpredictable nature of this asset class. Meme coins are often driven by cultural popularity and social media traction rather than fundamental metrics. This volatility makes them a high-risk investment, with limited regulatory safeguards and a history of sharp price fluctuations.
YZY’s performance has also been contextualized within the broader crypto market, which has seen a resurgence in investor interest following Bitcoin’s recent price gains and broader institutional adoption. However, the token’s sharp decline underscores the challenges meme coins face in sustaining interest and value, particularly in a market that can quickly shift sentiment.
YZY’s price in ETH has also reflected a steep decline. As of the latest data, 1 YZY is valued at approximately 0.063224 ETH, which is a 51.3% drop from an hour prior and a 33.7% decrease from the previous day. The token has lost 7.5% of its value compared to its price seven days ago. With a 24-hour trading volume of 219.4357 ETH, the token continues to see moderate activity, though its performance remains underperforming relative to the broader market.
YZY’s launch has also drawn attention to the broader trend of celebrities and public figures entering the cryptocurrency space. Ye, who has faced significant professional and personal challenges in recent years, positioned the YZY token as a way to provide financial independence and autonomy through decentralized systems. The project reflects a growing narrative among individuals who have been excluded from traditional financial systems, aligning with broader discussions about decentralization and financial sovereignty.
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[1] Kye West drops YZY meme coin on Solana (https://cryptobriefing.com/yzy-meme-coin-solana-launch/)
[2] Yeezy Money: Kanye West YZE Memecoin Hits $3 Billion … (https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/08/21/yeezy-money-kanye-west-yze-memecoin-hits-3-billion-amid-trump-fueled-crypto-and-bitcoin-price-boom/)
[3] YZY fell to 1.8 USDT, a 43% drop from its peak. (https://www.odaily.news/en/newsflash/444289)
[4] YZY to ETH: Swasticoin Price in Ether (https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/swasticoin/eth)