8 Meme Stocks for Bold Investors: AI, Crypto, and Beyond

Key Points

• Meme stocks are gaining momentum in 2025, fueled by rising investor risk appetite and renewed enthusiasm in sectors like AI, cryptocurrency, and quantum computing.
• Volatility remains a hallmark of meme stocks, with their value often driven by social sentiment, technical data, and momentum rather than traditional valuation metrics.
• Sectors like AI, crypto, and social media are prime for meme stock opportunities, featuring high-risk, high-reward stocks that could capitalize on shifting trends and speculative trading.

Meme stocks are back in fashion as we head into 2025 (or maybe they never left). With volatile assets like tech stocks and cryptocurrencies getting significant boosts since the conclusion of the US presidential election, the trend points toward investor risk appetites once again growing hungry.

Investing in meme stocks is inherently riskier than traditional stock picking since meme stocks trade on stories, not financial data or valuation metrics. You must analyze social sentiment, technical data, and short interest and volume metrics to pick the best meme stocks. Meme stocks ride waves of momentum that quickly peter out, so always have an entry and exit strategy before buying. Here are eight volatile stocks with meme potential to keep an eye on in 2025.

Super Micro Computer Inc.: From AI Leader to Meme Stock Status

One of the companies that rode NVIDIA’s coattails to a sky-high valuation, Super Micro Computer Inc. NASDAQ: SMCI, might be the poster child for meme stocks in the AI bull market. In early 2024, SMCI shares went parabolic, jumping from a split-adjusted price of $31 to nearly $120 in just a few weeks.

However, the stock cratered in the summer, and an accounting snafu left the stock trading under $20 per share and in danger of being delisted from the NASDAQ exchange.

The company hired a new firm to handle its books and has since reclaimed the $30 mark, but the stock remains incredibly volatile. If AI stocks get another run in 2025, SMCI is a good bet to have a reignited uptrend.

MicroStrategy: A Leveraged Bet on Bitcoin’s Price Movements

You can’t mention meme stocks in 2025 without dragging cryptocurrency into the equation. Bitcoin and other digital tokens have roared to new highs following Donald Trump’s election win, and no stock has benefited more from Bitcoin’s rise than MicroStrategy Inc. NASDAQ: MSTR, which has now become a Bitcoin treasury with a side business in software.

The thesis here is relatively simple: when Bitcoin goes up, so does the price of MSTR shares. The stock has basically acted as a levered BTC instrument responding to cryptocurrency market moves.

MSTR shares have been highly correlated with the price of Bitcoin for most of 2024, and that trend is likely to continue with a more crypto-friendly government entering the picture.

Riot Platforms Inc.: A Direct Play on Bitcoin Mining

If MSTR’s Bitcoin buying strategy makes you uneasy, a stock that mines Bitcoin directly might be more suitable for your meme portfolio. Riot Platforms Inc. NASDAQ: RIOT mines Bitcoin with their own equipment while also selling Bitcoin mining machines to institutions, businesses, and individuals.

RIOT shares had a poor start to 2024 as Bitcoin struggled to produce gains, but the stock is up over 44% in the last month on renewed cryptocurrency enthusiasm.

This resurgence is tied to the broader recovery in the cryptocurrency market, fueled by increasing institutional interest and favorable regulatory signals. With Bitcoin prices showing strong momentum heading into 2025, RIOT is positioned to benefit from both rising crypto valuations and its diversified business model in the mining sector.

Glitzy Ads and Promotions: The Secret to DraftKings’ Success

If meme stock investing is just a fancy way of gambling, why not include one of the largest online bookmakers in the United States? DraftKings Inc NASDAQ: DKNG has captured the same magic Robinhood did for retail investors with glitzy ads, tons of promotions, and a community where bettors can discuss strategy (or lament their losses).

Sports betting expansion continues across more states each year, and DKNG has positioned itself as a leading brand and industry leader. The company’s innovative approach to engaging users and capitalizing on the growing legalization of sports betting has made it a go-to platform for millions.

With momentum building in 2025, DraftKings stands to gain from the increasing popularity of online gambling and the evolving entertainment landscape.

Robinhood Inc.: The Original Meme Stock Pioneer

One of the original meme stocks, Robinhood Inc. NASDAQ: HOOD, has become synonymous with speculative trading. The company was one of the first online brokers to offer commission-free trading and has since expanded to derivatives, cryptocurrency, and traditional banking and wealth management services.

Since Robinhood operates on a payment-for-order flow business model, the more speculative trading occurs, the more profit the company makes.

This model has proven resilient, especially during periods of heightened market activity, positioning Robinhood to thrive as meme stocks and speculative investments gain renewed interest in 2025. With its user-friendly platform and focus on retail investors, Robinhood remains a key player in the meme stock narrative.

BigBear AI’s Meme Potential: Combining AI Hype With Short Squeeze Opportunity

Artificial intelligence wasn’t a central theme during the first meme stock craze, but it’s hard to ignore today, and companies like BigBear AI Holdings NYSE: BBAI have definite meme potential entering 2025. As artificial intelligence continues to move markets, small stocks like BBAI could be in for significant gains.

One area that makes BBAI a possible meme stock is the short interest: over 18% of the float has been sold short, creating the possibility of a short squeeze on any positive AI catalyst.

Additionally, the company’s focus on AI-driven solutions for defense and enterprise markets provides a strong narrative for speculative investors looking to capitalize on the sector’s explosive growth. With AI remaining a hot topic in 2025, BBAI has the volatility and buzz to attract meme stock enthusiasts.

Quantum Computing Inc.: A New Frontier in Meme Stocks for 2025

One of the newer investment themes for 2025 is expected to be quantum computing. While NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently threw cold water on quantum computing expectations, companies like Quantum Computing Inc. NASDAQ: QUBT are pushing back on that assertion, setting the stage for a volatile 2025. QUBT shares are seeing higher volume than usual to start 2025, and over 15% of the float is sold short. The stock hit a high of over $25 in December 2024 but has since collapsed to under $12, creating a potential opportunity for speculative investors.

This sharp decline, paired with its high short interest, positions QUBT as a prime candidate for meme stock status in 2025. The company's advancements in quantum technology and its focus on practical applications could spark interest if positive catalysts emerge. Whether through a breakthrough announcement, increased institutional interest, or social media-driven momentum, QUBT has the volatility and narrative potential to capture attention in the meme stock space. Investors looking at QUBT should be prepared for both significant risks and potentially outsized rewards.

Truth Social and Beyond: What Drives DJT’s Stock Price?

Even the Oval Office will be meme-worthy in 2025, as Trump Media and Technology Group NASDAQ: DJT shares seem to move with volatility unrelated to the company’s fundamentals. Instead, DJT shares react dramatically whenever Donald Trump makes headlines, a pattern expected to intensify after he assumes office.

As the parent company of the social media network Truth Social, DJT has no earnings and relies almost entirely on social media sentiment, making it a quintessential meme stock. With the potential for frequent, high-profile media coverage and viral moments, DJT offers speculators a volatile but highly engaging opportunity in 2025. For those willing to embrace the risks, this stock embodies the unpredictability of the meme stock phenomenon.