On April 9, legendary professional wrestler Ric Flair made headlines by launching a tokenized sticker collection on Telegram. This move marks Flair as the latest celebrity to engage in a digital social project, reflecting a growing trend among public figures to connect with their fanbase through innovative technology.
According to project representatives, initial sticker holders may be rewarded with future perks, although specific details are yet to be disclosed. Flair emphasized the importance of community engagement in launching this project, stating,
“Telegram is where people are really showing up these days. It is global, it is fast, and the way people communicate there just felt like the perfect fit for what we are doing. These stickers are about energy, personality, and culture, and Telegram is the place to bring that to life.”
This latest venture follows a previous attempt by mixed martial arts champion and Irish political candidate Conor McGregor, who launched a memecoin on April 5 that ultimately fell short, illustrating the risks associated with investments in the current digital asset landscape, especially in light of a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Flair, who wrapped up his wrestling career in 2022, has shown keen interest in cryptocurrencies before. In 2024, he introduced the “Wooooo!” coin (WOOOOO), a memecoin inspired by his iconic catchphrase. However, as of April 9, 2025, trading activity for the token remains stagnant, with one address controlling over 70% of its supply, as reported by CoinMarketCap.
In addition to his token offerings, the wrestling icon has a history of capitalizing on his brand through various merchandise, including collectible stickers sold through his official online store and on platforms like Amazon.
Wrestling icon Ric Flair joins Telegram and touts new project. Source: Ric Flair
Related: Melania Trump’s memecoin team ‘quietly sold’ $30M, says Bubblemaps
Challenges Facing Memecoins in a Turbulent Market
Memecoins have emerged as one of the most prominent narratives in 2024, showcasing remarkable returns for investors at the year’s start. Nonetheless, following a peak in December, the value of many major memecoins, including Dogecoin and Pepe, has significantly diminished—by approximately 70-80% in some cases.
The ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, fueled by factors such as trade wars, has dampened investor enthusiasm for riskier assets. Consequently, there has been a shift toward more stable investments like cash, government bonds, and stablecoins.
Crypto markets bleed amid macroeconomic downturn, particularly altcoins, memes, and other social tokens. Source: TradingView
In a related setback, McGregor’s REAL token launched amidst the ongoing economic downturn, failing to achieve its $1 million funding goal. The project raised only $392,315 during its presale, prompting developers to offer a full refund to bidders. Despite falling short of expectations, the Real World Gaming decentralized autonomous organization indicated that this was not the end of their ambitions.
Magazine: Memecoins: Betrayal of crypto’s ideals… or its true purpose?
