What is the GHIBLI memecoin?
GHIBLI, a memecoin on the Solana blockchain, is inspired by Ghibli-style images produced by AI models like ChatGPT, which reflect the aesthetic essence of Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio. The token quickly became popular following its launch on March 25, 2025, through the @ghibli account on X.
Fueled by community-generated content across social media, especially on X, GHIBLI experienced a significant price surge, reaching a high of $0.03918 on March 28, 2025, before dropping to $0.0033 by April 7. During this time, its market capitalization plummeted from $39.179 million to $3.37 million.
In its first day, the GHIBLI/SOL trading pair soared by 37%, signaling robust investor enthusiasm. Many traders view this as a positive indicator for the memecoin market, which has seen declines of more than 50% since December 2024. The total supply of GHIBLI is limited to 1 billion, with over 999 million tokens currently available.
Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, the Studio Ghibli is celebrated for its carefully crafted hand-drawn animations, richly detailed visuals, and emotionally engaging storytelling. By April 7, 2024, the studio had released 22 full-length animated features, including beloved films such as Grave of the Fireflies (1998), Spirited Away (2001), and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013).
GHIBLI exemplifies the emerging trend of memecoins powered by cultural references and movements. It follows the CHILLGUY token, which debuted on the Solana blockchain on November 15, leveraging the viral “Just a chill guy” meme. By November 27, CHILLGUY reached a market cap of $643 million, although its value dropped sharply afterward.
Memecoins are cryptocurrencies that humorously respond to mainstream cryptocurrencies and their disruptive nature against traditional finance, stemming from infectious internet memes. With the arrival of ChatGPT’s image generation feature, several memecoins associated with it have surfaced on both Solana and Ethereum blockchains.
Fun Fact: The name “Ghibli” originates from a Libyan Arabic term that means a hot desert wind.
How to purchase GHIBLI on a Solana-based DEX
To buy GHIBLI memecoin on a decentralized exchange (DEX) based on Solana, you will need to set up a cryptocurrency wallet, obtain some SOL, link to the DEX, and exchange SOL for GHIBLI.
Here is a step-by-step guide to purchasing GHIBLI on a Solana-based DEX:
Step 1: Set up a cryptocurrency wallet
- Download Trust Wallet from the official site or Google Play Store.
- Complete the wallet setup process.
- Safeguard your seed phrase; it’s crucial for recovering your wallet if necessary.
Step 2: Acquire SOL and transfer it to your wallet
- Buy Solana (SOL) on a centralized platform like Binance or another exchange that supports SOL trading.
- Send the SOL to your Trust Wallet using the Solana network.
Step 3: Connect to a DEX
- Access a Solana-compatible DEX.
- Link your Trust Wallet to the platform.
Step 4: Buy GHIBLI
- Once your wallet is connected, find a trading pair such as SOL/USDT or SOL/GHIBLI on the DEX.
- Decide how much SOL you wish to trade for GHIBLI and complete the transaction.
- After the swap is processed, you will see the GHIBLI tokens in your Trust Wallet.
Fun Fact: Studio Ghibli is distinguished for its enchanting and ethereal animation style, placing a significant focus on hand-drawn techniques, even in the digital era.
GHIBLI memecoins — From AI art to a crypto phenomenon
The emergence of GHIBLI memecoins was catalyzed by the viral impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o update on March 25, 2025. This upgrade introduced a distinctive feature that allowed users to convert ordinary images into the iconic art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli.
GHIBLI embodies a growing trend of anime-inspired tokens gaining popularity, driven by a surge of interest in both Japanese animation and AI-generated art.
Just days after the introduction of GHIBLI images, a large number of users—including influencers and political figures—began using ChatGPT to transform their photos into art.
This heightened interest in the new imaging capability resulted in an 11% uptick in global downloads and a 5% rise in weekly active users compared to the week prior to launch, while in-app revenue increased by 6%. Data from market research firm Similarweb highlighted that the average number of weekly active users surpassed the 150 million mark for the first time in 2025, placing a significant strain on OpenAI’s servers and resulting in temporary access limits for users.
As Ghibli-inspired images proliferated on social media, the phenomenon of Ghiblification quickly catalyzed a new wave of anime-themed memecoins. These tokens, referencing Studio Ghibli’s cherished tales like Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service, captivated the imaginations of crypto enthusiasts. Instead of emphasizing conventional utility, Ghibli memecoins thrive on cultural nostalgia and online excitement.
Leading this movement is GHIBLI, which emerged as the flagship of the trend. What started as a viral AI art phenomenon rapidly transformed into a full-fledged crypto sensation, converting whimsical creativity into market energy nearly overnight.
Despite this, other similar memecoins have struggled to gain traction. For example, Ghibli Rizzler (GRIZLLER) only managed a market capitalization of $6,000, while Ghibli Sigma (GIGMA) and Ghibli Mona Lisa (GLISA) had even lower valuations at $4,200 and $3,800, respectively.
Most memecoins are launched anonymously, making it difficult to ascertain their legitimacy or safety as investments. Only investors well-versed in Web3 can access the necessary vetting techniques required to evaluate the reliability of these projects, as most available verification tools demand a high degree of Web3 knowledge.
Fun Fact: Sam Altman, the founder and CEO of OpenAI, has hinted at an upcoming version of this feature that will surpass the current iteration. Who knows if the next release of the anime image generation tool propels yet another memecoin frenzy!
What triggered the surge in GHIBLI memecoin?
The fluctuations in the price of GHIBLI memecoin are not incidental; they stem from a combination of advanced technology, celebrity endorsements, and a marketplace eager to pursue the next prominent trend.
Support from prominent tech influencers
Influential personalities like Sam Altman and Elon Musk played a significant role in promoting the trend. On March 27, 2025, shortly after the launch of the GHIBLI feature, Musk shared an amusing image of himself as Rafiki from The Lion King, holding aloft a Dogecoin mascot. This post garnered substantial attention for Ghibli-themed tokens.
Five days later, on April 6, Altman shared a playful Ghibli-themed image on X, further boosting interest in the image-generating feature.
In solidarity with the Ghibli trend, Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao updated his X profile picture to reflect the animation style.
Even White House crypto advisor David Sacks joined in, sharing an image of himself styled like a Ghibli character alongside the US president at work.
Significant market gains
After its launch, GHIBLI saw a remarkable value increase, surging over 40,000% in just 24 hours. Listings on exchanges like Gate.io and Binance Alpha lent credibility to the token and ignited a wave of FOMO (fear of missing out) among investors searching for major returns.
Emotional resonance
The narratives and beloved characters crafted by Studio Ghibli evoke strong emotional ties across the globe. Their timeless appeal complements the fun, fandom, and excitement characteristic of memecoins. For many, acquiring GHIBLI tokens feels like a way to celebrate cherished anime memories while riding the latest trend.
A thriving community
The GHIBLI community is vibrant on social media, with users eagerly sharing memes, insights, and posts while encouraging the token’s growth. The energy surrounding this community resembles the early days of Dogecoin (DOGE), albeit with an anime twist that is uniquely GHIBLI.
Risks associated with GHIBLI memecoin
Investors considering GHIBLI should be aware of risks related to volatility, potential legal complications, and ethical considerations raised by the studio’s leadership.
Here are key points to keep in mind:
- Volatility and trend dependency: While currently in vogue, Ghibli memecoins are highly influenced by the fleeting nature of internet trends. Their value closely follows the trend of ghiblification. As this trend wanes, the tokens’ popularity and market value are likely to shift downward. Past examples, such as the rapid rise and fall of memecoins like CHILLGUY, demonstrate the risk of substantial losses when initial excitement wears off.
- Legal and ethical dilemmas: Studio Ghibli has a history of actively protecting its intellectual property. The studio has previously taken legal action to guard against unauthorized uses of its artwork, emphasizing its commitment to protecting its creations. The rise of Ghibli-themed memecoins and AI-generated art raises concerns about potential copyright violations. Studio Ghibli could pursue legal action against those misusing its distinctive style without authorization, especially if such actions dilute the studio’s brand value.
- Miyazaki’s views on AI and artistic integrity: Hayao Miyazaki, a co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has publicly criticized AI-generated art. In a 2016 documentary, he described such artwork as “an insult to life itself,” stressing his belief that AI cannot authentically capture the depth of human experience that true artistry demands. This perspective adds an ethical layer to the emergence of AI-generated Ghibli-style images and associated memecoins.
How to engage in GHIBLI spot trading
GHIBLI is listed on centralized exchanges like Gate.io and Kraken for spot trading. To trade on these platforms, you will need to deposit funds or acquire stablecoins such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) or USDC (USDC). After this, navigate to the “Spot Trading” section, choose a trading pair, and execute trades using market or limit orders.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the spot trading process:
- Create an account: If you haven’t already, sign up for an account on the exchange.
- Deposit funds: Put funds in your Gate.io account using an accepted method or buy stablecoins that are compatible.
- Access spot trading: Go to the “Spot Trading” section on the exchange.
- Select a trading pair: Choose the crypto pair you wish to trade (e.g., GHIBLI/USDC).
- Place orders: You have two options: a market order, where you can trade at the current market rate, or a limit order, where you specify a particular price for buying or selling.
- Monitor and close positions: Keep an eye on your trades and close positions when you choose to do so.
Warning! Centralized exchanges come with risks; hacks have resulted in significant losses (e.g., Mt. Gox in 2014 and a Bybit breach in 2025), liquidity can diminish during volatile periods, and regulatory changes may lock your funds. Always check the platform’s security, fees, and withdrawal restrictions before proceeding. Research GHIBLI’s volatility and the exchange’s reputation to mitigate potential losses.
Furthermore, memecoins like TRUMP and GHIBLI entail risks: their hype-driven volatility can lead to swift losses, and scams or rug pulls tend to target unsuspecting investors. Thus, ensure you maintain full ownership over your keys and funds; scams often exploit the unwary.