When the market turns rough, meme tokens often become overlooked gems—especially the ones rooted in authentic internet culture rather than pure speculation. The key? Look back at what actually mattered in meme history before the meme coin boom even started. Projects like $peepo and $wojak fit exactly this profile. These aren't just random tokens riding hype—they're built on memes that had genuine communities and staying power long before anyone tokenized them. During market downturns, that authenticity and cultural foundation tend to stand out. While most projects struggle, the ones with real lore and real communities often find their footing faster. It's worth paying attention to which meme tokens trace back to genuine internet movements versus those that just borrowed the aesthetic.