4chan Crypto: Uncovering How the Controversial Imageboard Drives Market Surges

After facing a significant hack and brief shutdown, the controversial imageboard 4chan is back online. Many thought its era was over, but its return signals the continued, albeit often unpredictable, influence it holds, particularly within the world of 4chan crypto. The site’s ‘Business & Finance’ board, known as /Biz/, has a long history of impacting digital asset markets in unique ways. This article explores how this corner of the internet moves crypto markets, from identifying potential ‘moonshots’ to galvanizing communities around specific tokens.

Discovering Opportunities on 4chan Biz

The central hub for crypto discussion on 4chan is the /Biz/ imageboard. It serves as a melting pot for traders, investors, and commentators. /Biz/ gained a reputation as a place where individuals could potentially uncover information about tokens before they became widely known. While platforms like X and Telegram now compete in this space, /Biz/ was an early source for identifying niche projects. It has also been a focal point for coordinated efforts aimed at increasing token prices through promotion, commonly referred to as ‘shilling campaigns’.

/Biz/ is also known for the speculative ‘prophecies’ and alleged insider leaks shared by anonymous users. While many prove false, some predictions have aligned with market movements. For example, a user in 2019 accurately predicted Bitcoin price points for April and July of that year. Another instance in May 2021 saw a user claim inside knowledge of a coming Bitcoin sell-off linked to news from China, which materialized hours later with reports of a ban on crypto transaction services by Chinese institutions. The board was also the origin of a false rumor about Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s death in 2017, which caused a temporary dip in Ether’s market cap before being debunked.

The Chainlink Phenomenon and LINK Marines

One of the most notable examples of /Biz/’s influence is the rise of Chainlink LINK. The oracle project experienced a significant price rally starting in 2020. Many early supporters, who became known as the ‘LINK Marines’, first learned about Chainlink on /Biz/. Excitement was fueled partly by an anonymous user known as ‘AssBlaster’, who claimed to share insider details about the project on the board.

The LINK Marines actively promoted Chainlink across 4chan and other social platforms. By August 2020, LINK’s price had surged significantly. Following this rally, some market commentators noted 4chan’s growing power in influencing crypto markets, suggesting it had become a significant driver. Chainlink continued its upward trajectory in 2021, reaching an all-time high and becoming a prominent crypto success story. Even now, Chainlink remains a frequently discussed asset on /Biz/, alongside Bitcoin and Ether.

Pepe Memecoin and the Power of Internet Culture

4chan has long been associated with internet meme culture, and one of the most recognizable is Pepe the Frog. Originally created by artist Matt Furie outside of 4chan, Pepe was popularized by the imageboard. While later attempts were made to associate the meme with specific political ideologies, Pepe remained a prevalent symbol on 4chan and in crypto circles, particularly becoming intertwined with the Chainlink community. As one commentator noted, the success of Chainlink combined with 4chan’s affinity for Pepe led to a merger of the two in online discussions.

This connection eventually extended beyond specific projects, leading to the creation of the Pepe memecoin in 2023. The token gained popularity among traders and saw a substantial increase in market capitalization in 2024, becoming one of the most prominent memecoins. Pepe is not the only 4chan-related meme to be tokenized; Mog Coin (MOG), based on the internet slang ‘mogging’, also saw significant price gains. The collective market capitalization of 4chan-themed memecoins highlights the tangible financial impact of internet culture originating from platforms like /Biz/.

Enduring Crypto Market Influence

Despite the rise of other social media platforms for crypto discussion, 4chan retains a unique cultural impact. The examples of early alpha discovery, the Chainlink phenomenon, and the emergence of the Pepe memecoin demonstrate its continued crypto market influence. The anonymous nature of the platform allows for unfiltered discussion, which can sometimes lead to valuable insights, coordinated actions, or simply market noise and speculation.

With 4chan’s recent return after its hack, it signals the platform’s resilience and commitment to staying online. As long as it remains active, its /Biz/ board is likely to continue playing a role, however controversial, in shaping narratives, influencing communities, and potentially impacting the prices of digital assets. Its future influence remains to be seen, but its history is undeniable.

In conclusion, 4chan’s /Biz/ board has a storied history of interacting with the cryptocurrency space. From serving as a platform for early token discovery and coordinated pumps to being the birthplace of rumors and the nexus for cultural phenomena like the LINK Marines and the Pepe memecoin, its impact on the crypto market is complex and multifaceted. The platform’s return ensures that this controversial corner of the internet will likely continue to be a factor in the evolving world of digital assets.