# Memecoins, Restaking, and Memechains: Where is this all going?

- Speakers: [Zaki Manian](https://streameth.org/speakers/zaki-manian)
- Event: [Web3 Summit 2024](https://streameth.org/web3summit/web3_summit_2024), Berlin
- Channel: [Web3Summit](https://streameth.org/web3summit)
- Date: 2024-08-20
- Duration: 24:49
- Topics: cryptocurrency, blockchain, web3, DeFi, stablecoins
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/66c1c5356e7e09ffb2c8c717
- Download: https://vod-cdn.lp-playback.studio/raw/jxf4iblf6wlsyor6526t4tcmtmqa/catalyst-vod-com/hls/2186l18smznootm8/1080p0.mp4

## Description

Join @zmanian to explore the future of memecoins, restaking, and memechains. The video features Zaki, an experienced figure in the crypto space, discussing the current state of the industry and his perspective on its development. He begins by mentioning his involvement with various projects and protocols, including co-founding a DeFi vault protocol and contributing to the Cosmos ecosystem. Zaki addresses the pervasive sense of existential despair within the industry and aims to explore both short-term gains and long-term outcomes from a decade's worth of work in crypto.

He identifies four main crypto products used globally: yield, volatility, leverage, and payments. He emphasizes that these products serve real needs outside of Western countries where crypto solves practical problems. Zaki then critiques the current "meta" in crypto, which he feels is dominated by memes and short-term gains rather than services providing tangible utility.

He discusses stablecoins as a non-meme product with clear market fit, especially valuable for accessing global reserve currency outside North America and Western Europe. Zaki goes on to describe 2024's potential short-term games in crypto, such as Hyperliquid's unique token distribution model for users.

Further, he talks about building infrastructure around these games to support user onboarding. DeFi is highlighted as not just a product but essential infrastructure supporting various aspects like lending protocols and dynamic vaults.

However, he