Times of investing

The New Market Mavericks

In January 2025, a small electric vehicle battery startup, VoltZest, surged 350% in a single day after a viral TikTok video claimed it was “the next Tesla.” The video, posted by a 22-year-old influencer with 2 million followers, sparked a frenzy on X, where #VoltZestToTheMoon trended for hours. By the next week, the stock crashed 60% as hype faded. Welcome to the wild world of meme stocks, where Gen Z’s digital clout and social media platforms like X and TikTok are turning investing into a high-stakes, viral rollercoaster. This isn’t just shaking up Wall Street—it’s rewriting how wealth is won, lost, and chased in a chaotic, connected era.

The Meme Stock Phenomenon: From GameStop to Now

The meme stock craze kicked off in 2021 when Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets rallied retail investors to catapult GameStop (GME) from $20 to nearly $500, crushing hedge funds betting against it. The playbook? Coordinate buys, trigger short squeezes, and ride the wave. Fast-forward to 2025, and the game’s gone next-level. Reddit’s still a hub, but X and TikTok are the new rocket fuel, amplifying stocks at lightning speed. Recent examples include VoltZest and a micro-cap biotech firm, CureWave, which spiked 200% after X posts hyped its experimental cancer drug. Unlike 2021’s focus on legacy retailers like AMC, today’s targets span niche crypto tokens, ESG-driven companies, and even meme-based NFTs.

The Power of Social Sentiment

Meme stocks feed on social sentiment, where one viral post can spark a rally. On X, hashtags like #MoonGang or #YOLOStocks signal brewing momentum, while TikTok’s 15-second videos turn complex investment pitches into catchy bangers. Gen Z, armed with smartphones and a distrust of traditional finance, is the driving force. They crowdsource tips on Discord, amplify them on X, and trade via commission-free apps like Robinhood. A 2025 eToro study found 68% of investors under 30 use social media as their primary research tool, with X posts about VoltZest spiking 500% before its January rally. This isn’t noise—it’s a market tsunami.

Opportunities for Investors

Meme stocks have cracked open Wall Street’s gates. Retail investors, once sidelined, now wield real power. Apps like eToro and Webull deliver real-time data, while X provides a raw pulse of market sentiment. Success stories fuel the fire: in 2024, AMC’s second wave saw early retail investors pocket 150% gains in weeks. Beyond stocks, the hype spills into crypto (e.g., Dogecoin’s 2025 comeback) and ESG-focused firms like renewable energy startups, aligning with Gen Z’s values. For sharp investors, these waves offer quick profits and a shot at backing innovative companies the big funds overlook.

The Risks: Hype, Crashes, and Crackdowns

The meme stock game is a minefield. Pump-and-dump schemes are everywhere—shady influencers inflate stocks like CureWave, cash out, and leave retail investors burned. Volatility is savage: VoltZest’s 350% surge ended in a 60% crash, crushing latecomers. Regulatory heat is rising, too. In 2025, the SEC ramped up scrutiny on social media-driven trading, probing influencers for market manipulation. Proposed rules could curb coordinated buying, cooling the meme stock frenzy. Without discipline, chasing hype is a one-way ticket to wipeout.

How to Play the Game Smart

To ride Meme Mania without getting wrecked, mix social savvy with old-school discipline:

• Track Sentiment, Verify Fundamentals: Use X to spot trending stocks, but check financials on Yahoo Finance or TradingView. Is the company legit or just a hype bubble?
• Set Stop-Losses: Meme stocks swing hard. A 10-20% stop-loss can save your capital.
• Diversify: Don’t bet the farm on one stock. Balance meme plays with stable ETFs or blue-chip stocks.
• Stay Skeptical: Watch out for influencers shilling “the next big thing.” If it smells like a scam, it probably is.
  Tools like TradingView’s social sentiment tracker or eToro’s CopyTrader can help you surf trends without drowning.

Top Meme Stocks to Buy in 2025

Based on 2025’s social media buzz and market trends, here are three meme stocks with potential—but tread carefully:

• Enovix Corporation (ENVX): This lithium-ion battery developer for wearables, smartphones, and EVs is a Reddit darling. JP Morgan’s $15 price target (February 2025) and Q4 2024 revenue of $9.6 million (up from $7.6 million in 2023) fuel the hype, with commercial smartphone launches set for 2025. Its volatility and retail buzz make it a high-risk, high-reward play.
• BlackBerry Limited (BB): Now a cybersecurity and IoT player, BlackBerry’s $162 million Q3 2024 revenue beat expectations, driven by government and banking deals. X posts exploded in January 2025, with RBC Capital raising its price target to $4.87. Nostalgic retail interest and short-squeeze potential keep it in the meme spotlight.
• Archer Aviation (ACHR): An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) company, Archer is backed by Stellantis ($55 million investment in 2024) and United Airlines. Its stock surged 50% from $3 lows in 2024 after flight test milestones, with U.S. commercialization set for 2025. X and Reddit hype its “flying car” potential, but its pre-revenue status adds risk.
  Research these stocks’ fundamentals and monitor X or Reddit for sentiment shifts. Set clear entry/exit points to stay ahead of the chaos.

The Future of Meme Stocks

Meme Mania isn’t a blip—it’s the future of investing. As Gen Z’s clout grows, expect tighter links with decentralized finance (DeFi) and AI-driven trading tools. X will stay a battleground for sentiment-driven rallies, while regulators play catch-up. For investors, the mission is simple: harness social media’s power without getting crushed by its chaos. Stay sharp, stay informed, and follow Times of Investing to keep up with this wild ride.