The world of cryptocurrency is sustained by its community — that is, groups of individuals who share a similar worldview, interacting with each other over the internet and spreading fundamental ideas across the world at breakneck speed.
The crypto community, via word of mouth marketing, can be seen as one of the key causes for the rapid growth in blockchain technology over recent years. High-follower social media accounts spreading memes and ideas have given the industry significant reach, which is reflected by price appreciation across the world of Web3.
That said, there are many niche terms that get used in online crypto communities. BTFD, WAGMI, and Fren, to name a few. This article will explore the origins and meaning of the term “Fren” to conclusively answer the question, “What is a Fren in Crypto?”
The short answer is that “Fren” is a slang term used by crypto community members to address other members of the community. “Fren” is a playful misspelling of the word “friend.”
Key takeaways
- The term “fren” is used by members of online crypto communities as a friendly way of addressing other people from the community
- The origins of “fren” can be traced back to Pepe the Frog, which was a popular cartoon character created in the early 2000s
- “Fren” is now used to signal a sense of belonging within crypto communities, where people are united by their appreciation for the crypto movement and its countercultural characteristics
What is a Fren in crypto?
The term likely originated from the famous internet meme of the philosophical cartoon frog known as “Pepe the Frog.” Pepe became associated with crypto communities and has even become the mascot of one of the fastest-growing meme coins in the space, Pepe (PEPE).
People in online crypto communities now refer to each other as Frens. It’s meant as a friendly greeting among members who share an interest in a particular project or movement, signaling a sense of belonging to the community and fostering an open environment within crypto subcultures.
Origins of the term
It is widely believed that the origins of the term “fren” can be traced back to the infamous Pepe the Frog meme, which has been used to signal a sense of belonging within niche internet communities both in crypto and beyond.
The adoption of Pepe the Frog
Pepe the Frog was originally a comic book character created by Matt Furie in the early 2000s. The frog character, known for its distinctive green color and melancholic expression, gained widespread popularity and became a symbol of various internet subcultures.
In the early days of cryptocurrency, particularly around 2016-17, the Pepe the Frog meme became closely associated with certain crypto communities including those surrounding Bitcoin (BTC). This association was likely due to the anti-establishment and counterculture sentiments that both the meme and the crypto movement shared.
Within these crypto communities, Pepe the Frog was often depicted in various memes, images, and digital artwork, sometimes holding or representing cryptocurrencies. As the meme’s popularity grew, community members started referring to each other as “frens,” which was a playful misspelling of the word “friend.”
Fren as a symbol of belonging
The term “fren” quickly caught on and became a way for crypto enthusiasts to foster a sense of camaraderie and belonging within their online communities. It signaled that they were part of the same in-group, united by their shared interest in cryptocurrencies and the associated meme culture.
Over time, the use of “fren” transcended its initial association with Pepe the Frog and became a more general term of endearment within various crypto communities, regardless of their specific meme affiliations.
Today, “fren” continues to be used in crypto forums, social media groups, and messaging platforms, serving as a friendly way for community members to address and acknowledge each other within the broader crypto ecosystem.
What is the cultural significance of Fren in crypto?
The term “fren” reflects the unique subculture that has emerged around crypto and blockchain technology, giving it significant cultural weight in the world of decentralized asset ownership. While the use of “Fren” is often mean to create a sense of camaraderie among members of crypto communities, it also represents an emblem of the counterculture movement that birthed cryptocurrency in the early days.
Since BTC, the original crypto asset, was designed to process peer-to-peer payments without the use of a centralized authority such as a central bank, the crypto movement has always been inherently anti-establishment. Likewise, the Pepe the Frog meme was adopted by other counterculture movements in the 2010s, leading to a strong connection between the meme and the crypto community by extension.
The use of “fren” reinforces the shared identity and values of crypto enthusiasts, such as a belief in decentralization, transparency, and the empowerment of individuals over centralized authorities. It serves as a subtle reminder of the common principles that unite these communities, taking a lighthearted approach that contrasts with the often serious and technical nature of discussions around cryptocurrencies.
Fren meaning: use cases and examples
Here are some examples of how the term “fren” can be used in sentences. As you’ll see, the term “fren” is often used as a friendly way to address fellow members of the crypto community, whether it’s discussing technical updates, market movements, projects, or simply expressing camaraderie.
- “Hey fren, have you checked out the latest update on the Ethereum network? The devs just released a new upgrade!”
- “I’m feeling bullish on BTC this week, frens. The charts are looking really promising.”
- “Frens, let’s discuss the potential implications of the upcoming Bitcoin halving event.”
- “That new DeFi project looks promising, but always do your own research, frens. Don’t blindly ape into anything.”
- “Congrats on your new NFT collection, fren! Those digital artworks look dope.”
- “We’re all in this together, frens. Hodling strong through the dips and the FUD.”
- “Any frens here familiar with Solidity? I could use some help with this smart contract code.”
- “Shout out to all the diamond-handed frens who held their crypto through the bear market.”
- “Yo, frens! Who’s stacking some of that sweet, sweet Ethereum this payday?”
- “Let’s not fight amongst ourselves, frens. We’re all part of the same decentralized revolution.”
The bottom line
A fren in crypto is a member of the community, as the term is often used to signal a sense of belonging within a niche tribe of crypto enthusiasts. The term’s origins can be traced back to Pepe the Frog, who became a symbol of various counterculture movements.
To learn more about common slang terms used in the cryptocurrency community, check out the following articles:
- What does NGMI mean in crypto?
- What does POAP mean in crypto?
- What does TXID mean in crypto?