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Written by Jennifer Pelegrin
Fact checked by Antonio Di Giacomo
Updated 21 October 2025
Table of Contents
Meme stocks aren’t just a relic of 2021 as they’re back in 2025. Retail traders are once again piling into names that surge on social buzz rather than fundamentals, with Reddit threads, TikTok clips, and X posts driving sudden spikes in trading volume.
What sets these stocks apart is a mix of hype and volatility: heavy online chatter, high short interest, and the potential for dramatic squeezes. For many retail investors, they’re risky but enticing plays that can deliver big gains, or steep losses, within days.
This guide explores the top meme stock to watch in 2025, why it’s trending, and whether it deserves a place in your speculative portfolio.
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Meme stocks have once again captured the spotlight in global markets. For many in the retail investor community, they represent an exciting chance to capitalize on stock market hype cycles and volatility that traditional equities rarely offer.
While these are highly speculative assets, they continue to attract attention because of three core dynamics shaping the 2025 market.
The return of r/WallStreetBets stocks and other social media driven stocks shows how powerful collective action can be. Fueled by Reddit investing trends, TikTok clips, and X threads, individual traders are joining forces in ways that amplify buying pressure and spark sudden rallies.
For those following day trading meme stocks, the crowd effect itself can create opportunities that institutional investors often underestimate.
Another reason traders focus on meme names is their high short interest. Several top meme stocks today are heavily shorted, setting the stage for a short squeeze explanation familiar to anyone who lived through 2021.
When shorts are forced to cover, prices can skyrocket in hours, rewarding those who anticipated the move. In many cases, gamma squeeze dynamics amplify that effect as traders buy options, market makers hedge by buying the stock, feeding the rally.
Perhaps the biggest appeal of meme stocks lies in their ability to deliver outsized gains in a very short time. Whether it’s chasing YOLO trades or acting on FOMO trading signals from forums and sentiment analysis tools, these plays can move portfolios dramatically within days.
Of course, the same volatility that fuels potential windfalls also magnifies the risk of sharp losses, a reality every investor must weigh before jumping into this space.
Not every stock with online buzz qualifies as a true meme stock. For this list, the focus was on companies and ETFs that consistently show the hallmarks of social media driven stocks while also meeting specific trading and market criteria.
Selection criteria:
Social momentum: Trending mentions across Reddit, TikTok, X, and StockTwits, with particular weight given to r/WallStreetBets stocks and other Reddit investing trends.
Trading activity: Unusual spikes in daily volume, significant retail order flow, and signs of coordinated FOMO trading.
Short-interest data: High levels of bearish positioning, increasing the chance of sudden short squeeze setups.
Volatility and liquidity: Stocks with enough liquidity for active traders but with volatility levels that support a volatility trading strategy.
Market visibility: Coverage by platforms that track most popular meme stocks 2025, such as QuiverQuant and other sentiment analysis tools.
Speculative potential: Alignment with speculative investing tips, whether through strong community support, YOLO trades, or unique narratives that keep these names in the spotlight.
Here’s a global meme stocks list that highlights some of the most popular meme stocks 2025 across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. These names stand out for their heavy retail buzz, high short interest, and explosive trading activity:
GameStop (GME) – USA
AMC Entertainment (AMC) – USA
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) – USA
Nvidia (NVDA) – USA
Beyond Meat (BYND) – USA
Carvana (CVNA) – USA
Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) – USA
SoundHound AI (SOUN) – USA
Krispy Kreme (DNUT) – USA
GoPro (GPRO) – USA
Roundhill MEME ETF (MEME) – USA
FOMO ETF (FOMO) – USA
BlackBerry (BB) – Canada
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR) – UK
Nokia (NOK) – Finland
Zomato (ZOMATO.NS) – India
Alibaba Group (BABA) – China
NIO Inc. (NIO) – China
Harmony Gold Mining (HMY) – South Africa
The following table provides a detailed explanation of the best meme stocks in the world. Each entry includes its country, sector, and a short note on why it stands out as a good pick for investors interested in speculative trading, short squeezes, and social media driven momentum.
#
Company Name
Country
Sector
Why It’s a Good Pick
1
GameStop (GME)
USA
Video Game Retail / E-commerce
The original meme stock; high short interest cycles and loyal r/WallStreetBets community.
2
AMC Entertainment (AMC)
Entertainment / Cinema
Classic meme play; volatility from social media and ongoing short squeeze potential.
3
Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
Tech / AI & Big Data
AI-driven hype; retail favorite combining growth story with speculative buzz.
4
Nvidia (NVDA)
Semiconductors / AI
Massive AI leader often swept into meme stock hype due to retail enthusiasm.
5
Beyond Meat (BYND)
Food / Alternative Protein
Speculative turnaround story; volatility attracts YOLO traders.
6
Carvana (CVNA)
E-commerce / Used Cars
High short interest and strong online chatter keep it in meme stock territory.
7
Opendoor Technologies (OPEN)
Real Estate / PropTech
Speculative play; volatile swings driven by retail momentum and housing narratives.
8
SoundHound AI (SOUN)
AI / Voice Technology
Trending AI favorite; frequent retail buzz and strong speculative potential.
9
Krispy Kreme (DNUT)
Consumer / Food
Recently rallied as a meme favorite; short squeezes fuel hype despite fundamentals.
10
GoPro (GPRO)
Consumer Electronics
Retail traders target it for volatility; low price encourages YOLO trades.
11
Roundhill MEME ETF (MEME)
ETF / Basket of Meme Stocks
Diversified exposure to multiple meme names; risk-spreading tool for speculators.
12
FOMO ETF (FOMO)
ETF / Thematic
Captures trending meme stocks and speculative plays; attractive for retail investors.
13
BlackBerry (BB)
Canada
Tech / Cybersecurity & IoT
Legacy meme stock with periodic resurgences tied to nostalgia and tech speculation.
14
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR)
UK
Aerospace & Defense
Retail-driven rallies; volatility linked to restructuring and speculation.
15
Nokia (NOK)
Finland
Telecom & Technology
A classic meme stock name from past cycles; still popular in Reddit investing trends.
16
Zomato (ZOMATO.NS)
India
Tech / Food Delivery
Indian retail favorite; volatile growth stock with strong social media buzz.
17
Alibaba Group (BABA)
China
E-commerce & Tech
Retail buzz around China tech stocks; volatile earnings narrative.
18
NIO Inc. (NIO)
Electric Vehicles
Popular EV stock in meme forums; speculative growth and volatility.
19
Harmony Gold Mining (HMY)
South Africa
Mining / Gold
African exposure; highly volatile commodity stock followed by retail traders.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 23.02 USD
GameStop remains the original meme stock, famous for its role in the 2021 trading frenzy. In 2025, it continues to attract the retail investor community, with spikes often driven by Reddit investing trends and viral clips on TikTok.
Despite weak fundamentals, its popularity comes from momentum trading and repeated short squeeze setups. For many, GME is the definition of YOLO trades and a symbol of stock market hype cycles.
Key Details
Iconic role in meme stocks list 2025
Liquidity makes it suitable for day trading meme stocks
Frequent short interest cycles
Recent Developments
Renewed attention on r/WallStreetBets
Strategic focus on collectibles and e-commerce
Investor Appeal Best used as a speculative tool for traders who manage volatility and exit strategies carefully.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 2.76 USD
AMC remains one of the most popular meme stocks 2025, fueled by social media driven stocks discussions and waves of retail enthusiasm. Its low share price makes it especially attractive for FOMO trading.
Known for its volatility, AMC is a candidate for short squeeze explanations that deliver sharp gains in hours. Its future depends less on fundamentals and more on Reddit investing trends and sentiment.
High beta stock with wide daily swings
Common in YOLO trades and forums
Strong short squeeze history
Debt refinancing to stabilize balance sheet
Strong box office boosting quarterly sales
Investor Appeal A volatile meme favorite, appealing to traders seeking quick moves, but risky for long-term investors.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 179.68 USD
Palantir has become a hybrid of growth and meme stock hype, combining AI-driven fundamentals with heavy retail buzz. It regularly appears in meme stocks list 2025 as traders chase contracts and earnings headlines.
Its swings are amplified by option chain analysis and YOLO trades, making it a crossover between speculative investing and long-term AI exposure.
Popular among retail investor community
AI and Big Data narrative
High options activity
New U.S. government contracts
Expanding commercial revenue
Investor Appeal Blends meme volatility with real growth potential, appealing to both speculators and thematic investors.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 181.15 USD
Nvidia isn’t a classic meme stock, but its dominance in AI makes it part of social media driven stocks discussions. Retail traders often pile in during stock market hype cycles.
Price moves accelerate around earnings, where FOMO trading drives sharp intraday swings. Its fundamentals remain strong, but retail attention magnifies volatility.
AI leader with global reach
Constantly appears in YOLO trades
Extremely liquid
Expanding GPU demand for AI
Strategic supply chain moves
Investor Appeal A growth giant that doubles as a meme play when retail hype surges.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 2.08 USD
Beyond Meat trades more on sentiment than earnings. It’s often grouped as a cheap meme stock under $10, attracting YOLO trades during viral food trends.
Retail investors speculate on recovery, but its fundamentals remain weak, making it suitable only for short-term volatility trading strategies.
Low-priced speculative play
Mentioned in Reddit investing trends
Frequent gap moves
Distribution partnerships in retail
Ongoing cost-cutting efforts
Investor Appeal A risky turnaround meme stock, best for speculative traders seeking quick moves.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 349.51 USD
Carvana thrives on high short interest, making it one of the best examples of meme stocks for short squeeze rallies. Its debt story and housing ties fuel extreme moves.
Retail buzz keeps CVNA among the most popular meme stocks 2025, with traders using sentiment analysis tools to time entries.
Heavy short interest
Strong retail momentum
Large daily trading ranges
Signs of profitability improvement
Refinancing initiatives
Investor Appeal High-risk stock with massive upside in squeeze scenarios; best for tactical meme trading.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 7.10 USD
Opendoor is a meme stock tied to housing cycles. It rallies on Reddit investing trends and shows sharp spikes around real estate headlines.
Its low share price and volatile moves place it on trending meme stocks to buy lists for retail traders.
Real estate exposure
Moves strongly on sentiment
Common among YOLO trades
Housing inventory shifts
Guidance on profitability
Investor Appeal Speculative proptech stock, useful for momentum trades but not for core holdings.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 18.77 USD
SoundHound is a small-cap AI name often called a Reddit meme stock. Its volatility attracts day trading meme stocks strategies.
Buzz increases with new partnerships, making SOUN one of the most discussed meme stocks on Reddit.
Voice AI narrative
Popular with speculative traders
High volume spikes
Partnerships with OEMs and tech firms
Adjusted revenue forecasts
Investor Appeal A speculative AI play with meme stock volatility; high risk and reward.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 3.29 USD
Krispy Kreme occasionally enters meme stocks list 2025 as a consumer brand that resonates with retail traders. Its low price attracts FOMO trading.
Spikes are tied to viral mentions and product launches, making it a niche meme favorite.
Recognizable consumer brand
In cheap meme stocks under $10 category
Volatile during news
Product collaborations
Expansion in new regions
Investor Appeal A consumer-driven meme stock suited for quick trades on viral hype.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 2.09 USD
GoPro has long been a retail favorite due to its low entry price. It often resurfaces in Reddit investing trends during earnings seasons.
Its sharp moves and volatility make it attractive for day trading meme stocks.
Low-cost speculative name
Popular with retail investors
High intraday volatility
Updates on product mix
Direct-to-consumer strategy
Investor Appeal A classic meme stock for tactical traders seeking sharp but short-lived moves.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 9.26 USD
The MEME ETF offers exposure to a basket of social media driven stocks. It diversifies risk across multiple meme names.
Traders use it as a way to play stock market hype cycles without betting on single tickers.
Diversified exposure to meme names
Rebalanced regularly
Designed for retail traders
Holdings adjusted to reflect sentiment shifts
Weighting changes among meme favorites
Investor Appeal An accessible way to trade meme stock momentum with reduced single-name risk.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 16.83 USD
The FOMO ETF captures broader speculative trends, including meme stocks. Its strategy reflects YOLO trades and retail-driven hype.
It rotates quickly to follow trending meme stocks to buy, offering flexibility.
Multi-sector momentum ETF
Regular tactical adjustments
Designed for meme and hype cycles
Sector rotations in 2025
Inclusion of new trending names
Investor Appeal Diversified speculative play for traders following FOMO trading signals.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 4.56 USD
BlackBerry remains a nostalgic meme stock with occasional surges in the retail investor community. Its transition into cybersecurity makes it speculative.
Buzz spikes during product or IP announcements, keeping it on meme stocks list 2025.
Legacy name turned tech play
Often appears in Reddit investing trends
Volatile during news events
Updates on security products
Monetization of patents
Investor Appeal A legacy meme stock attractive for short-term speculative strategies.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 15.25 USD
Rolls-Royce has become a European meme stock as retail traders follow its restructuring story. Its volatility comes from debt management and contract news.
It is often listed in meme stocks list 2025 as a turnaround candidate.
European turnaround story
Strong volatility in 2025
Media-driven sentiment
Debt reduction milestones
Contract wins in aerospace
Investor Appeal A speculative European name, appealing to meme stock traders looking for global exposure.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 5.61 USD
Nokia often returns to meme stock lists due to nostalgia and its role in telecom. Its ADRs are easy for U.S. retail traders to access.
Retail buzz spikes around 5G contracts, keeping it on most discussed meme stocks on Reddit.
Telecom and 5G exposure
U.S.-listed ADR
Wide retail recognition
5G infrastructure deals
Updates on margins and guidance
Investor Appeal A European ADR meme stock offering volatility around telecom headlines.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 2.45 USD
Zomato is one of India’s top retail-driven stocks, frequently discussed as a speculative name. Its growth story attracts local and global retail attention.
Its price volatility makes it a suitable addition to global meme stocks list 2025.
Indian food delivery giant
High retail participation
Frequently volatile
Expansion of delivery footprint
Updates on unit economics
Investor Appeal Adds Indian market representation to global meme portfolios.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 167.98 USD
Alibaba is often treated as a meme stock proxy for China tech. Retail traders use it to speculate on stock market hype cycles tied to regulation and earnings.
Its inclusion in trending meme stocks to buy lists shows its ongoing retail relevance.
Chinese tech giant
Highly liquid ADR
Frequent sentiment shifts
Ongoing restructuring
New regulations affecting business
Investor Appeal A global retail favorite, combining liquidity with volatility.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 6.86 USD
NIO is among the most popular meme stocks 2025 in EV. Its delivery updates and product launches spark retail enthusiasm.
The ADR format makes it widely accessible, fueling YOLO trades and speculation.
Chinese EV exposure
Frequent retail chatter
High volatility
New EV model launches
Updates on subsidies and regulations
Investor Appeal A volatile EV meme stock appealing to speculative momentum traders.
Current Price (21 October 2025): 18.30 USD
Harmony Gold is a South African miner that behaves like a commodity meme stock. Its ADR moves with gold prices, attracting retail speculation.
Buzz spikes during commodity rallies, making it part of global meme stocks list 2025.
Gold mining exposure
ADR listed in the U.S.
High beta to gold
Production and cost updates
Regulatory news in South Africa
Investor Appeal A commodity-based meme stock with volatility tied to global gold markets.
Meme stock investors can gain exposure through several categories, each offering different risk levels, momentum patterns, and growth potential. Recognizing these segments helps balance speculative opportunities with more diversified meme stock strategies.
Classic meme plays: Companies like GameStop, AMC, and BlackBerry remain at the core of the meme stock phenomenon. Their movements are driven by retail investor campaigns, online forums, and recurring short squeeze activity.
Tech and AI favorites: Stocks such as Palantir, Nvidia, and SoundHound AI show how technology names can become meme stocks when social media buzz and AI narratives trigger large waves of retail speculation.
Speculative turnarounds: Firms like Opendoor, Carvana, and Beyond Meat attract traders by combining operational challenges with high volatility. These names often deliver dramatic rallies when sentiment shifts.
Meme ETFs and baskets: Funds including the Roundhill MEME ETF and the FOMO ETF provide diversified access to meme stock momentum. They spread risk across multiple names while still capturing social media–driven trading cycles.
The future of meme stocks will be shaped by how retail traders interact with markets, the role of new technologies, and evolving regulation. While the hype cycles may look different than in 2021, the dynamics of online communities and speculative trading remain central to this asset class.
Retail-driven price spikes are expected to continue, often moving in sync with online mentions and coordinated campaigns. Platforms like Reddit, X, and TikTok will keep influencing meme stock hype cycles, with sentiment acting as a leading indicator for volatility.
Traders are increasingly using AI-powered dashboards and sentiment analysis tools to track mentions in real time. These systems amplify market moves by accelerating entry and exit decisions, making meme stock rallies faster and sharper than in previous cycles.
Authorities may tighten rules on social-driven manipulation, affecting how these stocks trade. In a broader sense, the meme stock phenomenon also raises questions about whether we are entering another stock market bubble.
While meme stocks can generate outsized gains, they also come with risks that can overwhelm unprepared traders. Understanding these factors is essential before committing any capital, since most of the movement comes from sentiment rather than fundamentals.
Meme stocks are notorious for their rapid intraday swings. Prices can double in hours and then collapse just as quickly, creating the risk of heavy losses for anyone who enters too late into the rally.
Many meme names trade at valuations far above their earnings potential. Without consistent profitability or strong balance sheets, these stocks rely heavily on momentum rather than long-term value creation.
Social media hype can be engineered, with small groups pushing coordinated narratives. When the wave ends, latecomers are often left holding shares at inflated prices, a recurring danger in the retail investor community.
Even seasoned traders struggle with timing meme stock moves. Entering too early may mean dead money for weeks, while joining late in the rally almost always leads to instant losses as the hype fades.
Meme stocks can be exciting, but they’re also unpredictable. The goal isn’t to avoid them entirely, but to approach them with structure and discipline. By treating meme trades as speculative side bets rather than core holdings, investors can capture upside without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.
Keep positions small: Limit meme stocks to a fraction of your portfolio so losses don’t overwhelm your broader strategy.
Track sentiment data: Follow short interest, retail order flow, and sentiment analysis tools before entering a trade.
Set clear exit rules: Decide in advance on stop-loss levels and profit targets to avoid emotional decision-making.
Avoid chasing rallies: Jumping in after a stock has already spiked is the quickest way to get caught in a reversal.
Diversify exposure: Consider meme-focused ETFs like Roundhill MEME or FOMO ETF to spread risk across multiple names.
Stay disciplined: Treat meme stocks as speculative side bets, not as the foundation of a long-term portfolio.
Meme stocks remain one of the most unpredictable corners of the market. They can deliver spectacular rallies when sentiment turns, but the same momentum that drives prices up can just as easily send them crashing down. For traders, they represent opportunity; for long-term investors, they highlight the risks of chasing hype.
Handled carefully, meme stocks can play a role in a portfolio as speculative tools rather than core holdings. With clear rules, disciplined exits, and a healthy respect for volatility, they offer a way to Engage with the energy of the retail investor community without letting hype cycles dictate your financial future. And remember: diamond hands is more than a meme, it’s a mindset that both fuels and tests this market.
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Meme stocks are shares that move mainly on social media buzz, from Reddit and TikTok to X, rather than company fundamentals. They’ve made a comeback in 2025 as retail traders regroup around high short-interest names and spark squeeze-driven rallies that fuel volatility.
Look for rising mentions on Reddit, TikTok, or X, volume spikes, high short interest, and growing options activity. Sentiment-tracking tools help confirm when retail attention and trading data align, often a sign that a stock is becoming a meme favorite.
A short squeeze happens when short sellers rush to cover, forcing prices higher. A gamma squeeze occurs when heavy call buying makes market makers hedge by purchasing shares, amplifying the move. Sometimes both effects combine in the same rally.
Yes. These ETFs provide diversified exposure to several trending names, reducing the risk tied to a single stock. Still, they remain highly speculative, as holdings rotate quickly and volatility stays high. They’re better for tactical trades than long-term investing.
Extreme volatility, difficult timing, potential pump-and-dump activity, and weak fundamentals. Without clear exit rules and risk control, losses can mount fast. Keep positions small, set stop-loss levels, and avoid chasing spikes after big moves.
Treat meme stocks as speculative side plays, not core holdings. Combine sentiment and volume signals for entries, define clear targets and stops, and scale out of positions as they move. For broader exposure, pair single names with a meme ETF like MEME or FOMO while keeping discipline.
Jennifer Pelegrin
SEO Content Writer
Jennifer is an SEO content writer with five years of experience creating clear, engaging articles across industries like finance and cybersecurity. Jennifer makes complex topics easy to understand, helping readers stay informed and confident.
Antonio Di Giacomo
Market Analyst
Antonio Di Giacomo studied at the Bessières School of Accounting in Paris, France, as well as at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). He has experience in technical analysis of financial markets, focusing on price action and fundamental analysis. After many years in the financial markets, he now prefers to share his knowledge with future traders and explain this excellent business to them.
This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas and may not reflect those of the Company. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. XS, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same. Our platform may not offer all the products or services mentioned.
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