The story of Shiba Inu’s meteoric rise is well known in crypto circles. From obscurity to a multi-billion-dollar market cap, SHIB’s 2021 rally turned meme coin speculation into mainstream conversation. But as the industry matures, investors are shifting focus from hype-driven tokens to projects with actual roadmaps, use cases, and sustainability.
The next generation of potential “100x” tokens won’t just be memes — they’ll be hybrids: part narrative, part function. Below are six crypto projects currently in early stages that could surprise the market with strong long-term performance — and this time, there’s more under the hood than just a dog logo.
- HexyDog (HEXY)
- Sector: Meme + Utility + Charity
- Presale raised: ~$300,000
HexyDog is a meme-inspired token with a structured roadmap that sets it apart from most animal-themed projects. While it embraces lighthearted branding, the project is building a utility layer focused on the pet care industry — a global market worth over $300 billion. HEXY is designed to be used at pet shops, grooming services, and ecommerce platforms, with integrations planned through merchant partnerships.
A key component of the project is the Hexy Rescue Fund, which dedicates part of the token supply and transaction fees to animal shelters and nonprofit rescue groups. These donations will be transparently tracked on-chain — adding a rare, real-world charitable dimension to a meme-based token.
With a KYC-verified team, clear tokenomics, and nearly $300K already raised in crypto presale, HexyDog is quietly gaining traction in markets across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Its roadmap includes utility expansion, charitable partnerships, and progressive listings. While many meme coins burn fast, HexyDog is aiming to build something that actually lasts.
- Qubetics
- Sector: AI + Infrastructure
Qubetics is an early-stage project developing AI-powered blockchain infrastructure for data-heavy decentralized applications. The platform’s modular architecture is designed to support enterprise-grade performance while integrating artificial intelligence to automate smart contract functionality.
Although still in presale, Qubetics has published a roadmap focused on developer tooling, SDKs, and eventual layer-2 interoperability. If the team delivers on even part of its technical ambition, it could serve a growing need in the AI x Web3 overlap.
- LightChain
- Sector: Layer 1 + AI Optimization
LightChain is building a Layer 1 blockchain with embedded AI functionality to help developers deploy faster, more intelligent smart contracts. Unlike existing L1s, LightChain’s focus is on automated resource allocation, contract optimization, and predictive load balancing.
Its whitepaper outlines milestones including validator onboarding, testnet launch, and a developer grant program. While unproven, it’s positioned to ride the rising wave of AI-integrated protocols.
- Rexas Finance
- Sector: DeFi + Real-World Assets (RWA)
Rexas Finance is developing a platform for tokenizing real-world assets — such as real estate, invoices, and commodities — on the Arbitrum network. With institutional appetite for RWA solutions increasing, Rexas is entering a competitive but rapidly expanding niche.
The roadmap includes licensed partnerships, legal compliance infrastructure, and DeFi-native trading of tokenized physical assets. Execution will be key, but the long-term vision aligns with broader trends in institutional DeFi.
- Mind of Pepe
- Sector: Meme + Culture + Storytelling
Mind of Pepe is a culturally-driven meme token that blends fictional lore with blockchain-based storytelling. While meme coins are often dismissed for lacking fundamentals, MOPE is attempting to build a narrative-driven ecosystem where holders shape the evolution of its universe.
The roadmap includes content platforms, user-generated media incentives, and NFT integrations. It’s speculative, but stands out in a meme space that’s often copy-paste.
- Base Dawgz
Base Dawgz is one of the first meme tokens built natively on Coinbase’s Base chain. It’s using a community-driven referral system to incentivize presale growth and plans to launch basic staking and reward features post-launch.
While its roadmap is relatively light, it benefits from early positioning on a fast-growing L2 ecosystem — and meme projects with early traction on new chains have historically shown surprising breakout potential.
What Makes a 100x Project in 2025?
Unlike the 2021 cycle, the current market is placing more weight on actual delivery. Tokens with structured roadmaps, verifiable teams, and defined use cases — even if still speculative — are getting more serious attention. Meme appeal can still act as a growth catalyst, but long-term survivability depends on more than just a good logo and a viral tweet.
Projects like HexyDog are especially notable in this context: meme-driven enough to attract retail attention, but grounded in real-world functionality and impact. Among the best meme coins in current presale cycles, it’s one of the few aiming for practical use alongside cultural relevance.
Final Thoughts
Not all early-stage tokens will survive — let alone 100x — but those with narrative strength and a credible roadmap have a far better shot at sustainable growth. If you’re looking beyond quick flips, it’s worth following projects with long-term architecture and measurable goals.
As always, do your own research. But if history repeats itself, the next Shiba Inu might not just be a meme — it could be a mission.
