Coinbase has officially added three new digital assets—PENGU, POPCAT, and MORPHO—to its public listing roadmap, signaling potential future availability on one of the world’s most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges. While such announcements have historically triggered significant price surges, this time the market reaction was notably muted. All three tokens saw only brief upward movements before quickly retracing, raising questions about shifting investor sentiment and the evolving influence of exchange listing news.
Why This Announcement Felt Different
In past cycles, when Coinbase added a token to its listing roadmap, it often sparked immediate FOMO (fear of missing out) among retail traders. Projects like SHIB and DOGE previously experienced double- or triple-digit percentage gains within hours of being featured. However, the response to PENGU, POPCAT, and MORPHO tells a different story—one of market maturation or perhaps skepticism.
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All three assets posted short-lived rallies but failed to sustain momentum. This could suggest that investors are becoming more selective, focusing less on exchange visibility alone and more on fundamentals, utility, and long-term viability.
The Meme Coin Factor: PENGU and POPCAT
Two of the newly listed assets—PENGU and POPCAT—are meme coins built on community enthusiasm rather than technological innovation.
- PENGU, an inflationary token inspired by penguins and internet culture, hit record lows in late January amid declining trading volume and waning social engagement.
- POPCAT, named after a viral internet meme featuring a singing cat, saw its peak popularity in late 2023 but has struggled to regain traction since December.
Despite their entertaining branding and strong grassroots followings, both tokens have faced headwinds due to broader market apathy toward speculative assets lacking real-world use cases.
Meme coins continue to capture attention in bull markets, but as the crypto ecosystem evolves, traders appear to be demanding more than just viral appeal. Without clear utility or development progress, even high-profile exchange recognition may not be enough to drive lasting value.
MORPHO: A Fundamentally Strong Contender
In contrast to the meme-based tokens, MORPHO stands out as a project with deep roots in decentralized finance (DeFi). It operates as a peer-to-peer layer for lending protocols, enhancing capital efficiency and reducing reliance on liquidity pools.
Recent developments highlight MORPHO’s growing relevance:
- Achieved all-time highs in January 2025 amid rising demand for yield optimization tools.
- Announced a strategic integration with Coinbase’s Bitcoin-backed lending initiative, boosting credibility and ecosystem alignment.
Given its technical merit and growing adoption, MORPHO’s inclusion on the roadmap feels more strategic than symbolic. Yet, even this project failed to maintain post-announcement gains—a trend that extends beyond asset type.
Is the Coinbase Roadmap Losing Its Impact?
Historically, being added to Coinbase’s listing roadmap was seen as a major trust signal—an indicator that a project passed rigorous security, compliance, and liquidity checks. But recent patterns suggest diminishing returns:
- In December 2024, MOG was added to the roadmap but continued its downward price trajectory despite initial excitement.
- In January 2025, TOSHI spiked briefly after the announcement but rapidly corrected as traders took profits.
These repeated outcomes point to a broader shift: market participants may no longer view roadmap inclusion as a guaranteed catalyst. Instead, they’re assessing each project individually—weighing fundamentals against hype.
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This evolution reflects a more sophisticated investor base—one that understands the difference between potential listing and actual value creation.
What Investors Should Watch For Next
While short-term price reactions have cooled, being on Coinbase’s roadmap still carries long-term significance. It means:
- The asset is under active review for full trading pair support.
- Development teams are likely engaging with Coinbase’s compliance and engineering teams.
- There’s a non-zero probability of eventual listing on both Coinbase.com and Coinbase App, which can bring massive exposure.
Traders should monitor:
- On-chain activity: Increased wallet creation or transfer volume could signal accumulating interest.
- Development updates: GitHub commits, new partnerships, or protocol upgrades add legitimacy.
- Liquidity shifts: Movements from decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to centralized platforms may precede listings.
Additionally, Coinbase typically lists assets across multiple networks (e.g., Ethereum, Solana), so cross-chain compatibility could play a role in prioritization.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does being on Coinbase’s roadmap guarantee a listing?
No. Inclusion on the roadmap indicates that Coinbase is exploring the possibility of listing an asset, but it does not guarantee final approval. Many factors—including legal compliance, market demand, and technical readiness—must align before a full launch.
Why didn’t PENGU and POPCAT surge after the announcement?
The muted reaction likely reflects increased market skepticism. With numerous meme coins launching daily, investors are prioritizing projects with stronger fundamentals. Past overreactions may have also conditioned traders to take profits quickly rather than hold.
What is MORPHO’s advantage over other DeFi projects?
MORPHO improves upon traditional lending platforms like Aave or Compound by enabling direct peer-to-peer matching of lenders and borrowers. This reduces idle capital, increases yields, and lowers risk exposure—making it an attractive upgrade in efficient capital markets.
How long does it take for roadmap assets to get listed?
There’s no fixed timeline. Some assets go live in weeks; others remain under review for months. Transparency has improved through Coinbase’s public roadmap, but exact schedules depend on internal evaluation processes.
Can I buy PENGU, POPCAT, or MORPHO now?
Yes—though not yet on Coinbase. These tokens are available on various decentralized exchanges (DEXs) such as Uniswap and Raydium. Always verify contract addresses and use trusted wallets to avoid scams.
Are meme coins still viable investments in 2025?
They can be—but with high risk. While some meme coins evolve into sustainable ecosystems (e.g., DOGE, SHIB), most lack intrinsic value and rely entirely on speculation. Diversification and strict risk management are essential when investing in this category.
As the crypto market matures, so too does investor behavior. The days of automatic price pumps following exchange announcements may be fading. For now, PENGU, POPCAT, and MORPHO remain on watchlists—not just for traders, but for anyone tracking how sentiment, utility, and platform trust shape digital asset performance.