The cryptocurrency world has once again been caught off guard by an unlikely contender. Morning Routine (ROUTINE), a meme coin inspired by a viral fitness video, has skyrocketed to a $19 million market cap just days after its debut, sparking renewed optimism that the meme coin craze may be far from over.
Launched on Pump.fun, ROUTINE’s ascent was fueled by an amusing yet captivating video featuring influencer Ashton Hall’s parody of daily rituals. The video’s rapid success, amassing over 667 million views shortly after being posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), created a domino effect. Traders and crypto enthusiasts quickly turned their attention to the coin, seeing in its momentum a reflection of the social media-driven dynamics that often dictate the meme coin market.
Within just two days of its March 21 launch, ROUTINE’s market cap hit an impressive $19 million. Though it soon encountered the type of volatility typical of meme assets—experiencing a 57% drop—it bounced back sharply, regaining much of its value and stabilizing around $15 million by Monday. The sharp fluctuations illustrate the speculative nature of such tokens, where sentiment and virality often outweigh fundamentals.
Interestingly, ROUTINE’s rise didn’t occur in isolation. The buzz extended to other related tokens, such as Saratoga Spring Water (SARAGOTA), which also saw its market cap climb to $3 million. This ripple effect suggests an interconnected web among meme coins, where the success of one can spark renewed interest across others.
The resurgence of ROUTINE coincides with broader signs of life returning to the meme coin sector after a prolonged lull. Over the past week, other meme coins have shown remarkable recoveries. For example, Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) and SPX6900 (SPX) posted price gains of 80% and 68%, respectively, according to CoinGecko. These surges suggest that traders are once again eager to capitalize on the high-risk, high-reward nature of these digital assets.
However, not all meme coins are riding the same wave. While some tokens thrive, others are struggling to stay afloat. Coins like Toshi (TOSHI) and Unicorn Fart Dust (UFD) have experienced notable declines, falling by 17.7% and 15%, respectively. Their performance highlights the inherent unpredictability of the meme coin market, where a coin’s success often hinges on fleeting trends and online virality.
The story of ROUTINE is a reminder of the meme coin sector’s unique blend of humor, speculation, and community-driven momentum. Though it may lack the technical underpinnings of more established cryptocurrencies, its ability to capture public attention and translate that into significant market value cannot be underestimated.
As traders continue to chase the next viral sensation, ROUTINE’s rise serves as both an opportunity and a cautionary tale. The playful charm of meme coins remains alive, but navigating this unpredictable market requires not just enthusiasm—but also a clear understanding of its inherent risks.
By Alejandro Silva Ramírez, Crypto Analyst & Columnist