In late 2016, Metin Redjepi was working as an inspector at the Ministry of Economy in Macedonia. A colleague introduced him to Bitcoin. Unlike many others, he wasn’t simply fascinated by profits. Instead, he wanted to understand the larger economic model behind this new technology. Bitcoin represented decentralisation and community-driven value, and this intrigued him. That early curiosity sparked his journey into crypto, one that eventually led him to millions.
Soon after, Redjepi joined DLive, a blockchain-based live streaming platform, as its global head of community and later its chief operating officer. By 2017, he invested in Bitcoin for the first time. Within the same year, his investments turned his curiosity into his first million. This turning point pushed him to look beyond Bitcoin, toward the quirky side of crypto: memecoins.
Betting Big on Internet Culture
Most investors focus on charts, graphs, and technical analysis. Redjepi, however, followed a different playbook. “Psychological factors matter more than technical ones,” he explained. He invested around $10,000 into three memecoins: PEPE, Dogecoin (DOGE), and Dogwifhat (WIF). Each coin enjoyed viral popularity, with values increasing 25 to 50 times.
To him, virality wasn’t random. It followed patterns of culture. When non-crypto enthusiasts started discussing a coin, he knew it was going viral next. The Pepe frog, for example, had long been an online legend. Its presence as a coin seemed natural. Redjepi spotted early momentum, joined in, and reaped massive growth. By focusing on what captured the internet’s imagination, he consistently beat market expectations. Community engagement, timing, and memes formed the core of his strategy.
The Imaro Coin Phenomenon
In April 2024, Redjepi launched a memecoin himself. He called it IMARO, inspired by a viral interview during Turkey’s election night. An elderly man accidentally mispronounced Istanbul’s mayor’s name, saying “Imaro” instead of İmamoğlu.
Redjepi quickly turned the funny moment into a brand-new memecoin. Timing was everything; the clip was already spreading rapidly online. As a result, IMARO exploded in popularity within days. At its peak, it reached a market capitalisation of $8.5 million. However, Redjepi admitted that starting a memecoin is easy. Maintaining it is the real challenge. In fact, he pointed out that 98% of memecoins disappear on the very first day. Success comes not from coding, but from running communities and reading their sentiment. The IMARO coin showcased his strength: an ability to capture cultural trends and build movements around them.
Lessons from the Memecoin Market
Redjepi’s story shows both the potential and danger of memecoins. They thrive on hype, humour, and online energy rather than solid financial foundations. That makes them risky but also rewarding for those who can sense the mood. Platforms now allow anyone to create a coin within minutes. As a result, thousands of new tokens launch daily. Most vanish without trace, but a handful become viral sensations with massive payoffs.
Redjepi stands out because he blends vision with timing. He doesn’t just follow charts; he follows culture. His bet on PEPE, DOGE, WIF, and later IMARO proves the importance of thinking beyond numbers. Still, his story is also a cautionary tale. For every success like IMARO, countless tokens collapse overnight. Investors often lose money due to scams, abandoned projects, or sudden crashes. The key, Redjepi explains, is to understand that sentiment and community are everything in this arena. For Redjepi, the lesson is clear: “It’s all about the vibes, the community, and the timing.
Written By Fazal Ul Vahab C H
