The sudden rise of Manus, touted as the "world's first general-purpose AI agent," has ignited a wave of speculation in the cryptocurrency market — not for its technology, but for a flurry of unrelated, identically named digital tokens. As the AI product went viral, multiple "Manus" meme coins emerged overnight, with some surging over 900%, while others crashed nearly 95% within hours. Despite official denials, the chaos highlights a growing trend: the dangerously low barrier to creating and promoting speculative tokens that piggyback on trending tech narratives.
The Explosive Rise — and Crash — of Manus-Branded Tokens
On March 7, 2025, the official X account of Manus was suspended due to potential violations of platform policies. The incident, believed to be linked to third-party crypto scam promotions, triggered immediate concern. In response, Yichao Peak Ji (Ji Yichao), Manus’s co-founder and chief scientist, clarified that Manus has no involvement with any cryptocurrency projects, token launches, or blockchain initiatives.
“Any cryptocurrency project using a similar name and claiming affiliation with us is fraudulent,” Ji stated. “We are taking legal action against these impersonators and urge users to report suspicious accounts.”
Despite this, the crypto ecosystem quickly filled the vacuum with a wave of unofficial tokens. On March 9, a token named ManusAI launched on OKX, starting under $0.01 and gaining over **200% in value** within hours. According to **CoinGecko**, several “Manus”-branded tokens saw explosive volume, with one achieving over **$1 million in 24-hour trading volume and a price surge exceeding 900% in just three days**.
Conversely, on Binance, another token called Manus AI Agent plummeted by nearly 95% in just three hours on March 8, its value dropping below $0.000000001 — effectively worthless.
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Meme Coins: The High-Risk Game of Hype and Hoax
These tokens fall squarely into the category of meme coins — digital assets created not for technological innovation or utility, but for virality, often riding on pop culture, celebrity names, or trending tech buzzwords. The Manus phenomenon is far from unique.
When ChatGPT took the world by storm in early 2023, numerous fake ChatGPT-branded tokens appeared. One such token launched at $0.000611, skyrocketed over 1800% in five hours, then collapsed by more than 80% shortly after. Today, it no longer exists.
Similarly, after the rise of China’s AI model DeepSeek, fraudsters launched a fake blockchain project claiming to be powered by DeepSeek’s technology. Promising high efficiency and security, the project raised significant funds through crowdfunding before the team vanished — a classic "rug pull."
The Cybersecurity Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security has since issued warnings about fraudulent blockchain schemes linked to DeepSeek, emphasizing that such scams have caused serious financial losses.
Why Are Meme Coins So Easy to Create?
The answer lies in accessibility. As one industry insider told Everyday Economic News, “There are now many one-click token creation platforms.”
Blockchain networks like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Solana offer no-code or low-code tools that allow anyone to deploy a token in minutes — often for less than $50 in gas fees. Tutorials on “how to launch your own crypto” are widely available online, further lowering the entry barrier.
However, ease of creation doesn’t equate to legitimacy or longevity.
Key Risks of Meme Coins:
- No underlying technology or utility
- No legal or regulatory protection for investors
- High susceptibility to price manipulation
- Anonymous or unverifiable development teams
- Lack of transparent tokenomics
As Zhao Wei, Senior Researcher at OKX研究院 (OKX Research Institute), explained:
“While blockchain platforms now allow anyone to create a token effortlessly, most meme coins lack technical foundation and genuine community support. Their survival rate is extremely low. They rely purely on short-term hype — and that makes them incredibly risky.”
Regulatory Warnings: A Global Pattern
Regulators worldwide have long flagged the dangers of meme coins and unregulated crypto assets.
- The People’s Bank of China and other domestic regulators have repeatedly stated that virtual currency-related activities are illegal financial operations, and cryptocurrencies do not hold legal tender status.
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has emphasized that meme coin investors receive no protection under federal securities laws. These assets generate no income, confer no ownership rights, and offer no claim to profits or company assets.
In essence: buying a meme coin is not investing — it’s speculation at best, gambling at worst.
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Why Do People Still Buy Meme Coins?
Despite the risks, demand persists — driven by:
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) during price spikes
- Social media hype from influencers and anonymous promoters
- Misinformation linking tokens to legitimate tech brands
- The allure of quick profits in decentralized markets
But as history shows, most meme coins fade into obscurity — or worse, disappear with investors’ funds.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Crypto Projects
- Verify official sources: Always check a project’s official website and social media. If the real company denies involvement (like Manus did), stay away.
- Research the team: Legitimate projects have transparent, identifiable developers.
- Check liquidity and trading volume: Low liquidity increases volatility and manipulation risk.
- Avoid tokens with no whitepaper or roadmap
- Be skeptical of exponential returns promised in hours
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the ManusAI token affiliated with the Manus AI product?
A: No. Manus has officially stated it has no connection to any cryptocurrency projects. All such tokens are unauthorized and potentially fraudulent.
Q: Why do meme coins keep appearing around trending tech?
A: Because they exploit public interest. Creators use familiar names like "Manus," "ChatGPT," or "DeepSeek" to gain instant attention and drive speculative trading.
Q: Can I make money from meme coins?
A: While some early buyers profit from short-term pumps, most investors lose money due to crashes, rug pulls, or abandonment. These are high-risk speculative assets with no intrinsic value.
Q: How are meme coins created so quickly?
A: Using blockchain platforms with no-code tools (like Ethereum or BSC), anyone can deploy a token in minutes using pre-built smart contracts — often through automated “token generator” websites.
Q: Are meme coins legal?
A: Creating or trading them isn’t inherently illegal everywhere, but promoting them as investments without registration may violate securities laws. In China, all crypto-related financial activities are banned.
Q: What should I do if I’ve invested in a fake Manus token?
A: Cease further investment immediately. Report the token to the exchange and relevant authorities if possible. Treat the loss as a warning — many such projects are designed to disappear.
Conclusion: Hype vs. Substance in the Crypto Wild West
The Manus meme coin frenzy is a textbook example of how fast misinformation spreads in decentralized digital markets. While innovation in AI and blockchain continues, the gap between real technology and speculative fiction has never been wider.
Investors must remain vigilant. Just because a token shares a name with a trending AI product doesn’t mean it’s backed by anything real — in fact, it’s usually the opposite.
As Zhao Wei of OKX Research Institute warned:
“The vast majority of meme coins lack technical depth and community trust. They thrive on hype — and die when it fades.”
For those navigating this volatile landscape, education, skepticism, and reliance on verified platforms are essential.
Core Keywords: meme coin, Manus AI, crypto scam, token launch, blockchain fraud, AI hype, cryptocurrency risk, decentralized finance