Tensor’s Vector.fun Tests SocialFi Viability Amid Meme Coin Hype

With the ongoing surge in interest in meme coins, a leading Solana NFT marketplace, Tensor, is launching Vector.fun.

In essence, the project can be described as a SocialFi experience that combines trading with social engagement in one mobile app.

The Road to Vector.fun

Tensor’s Gen-Z-focused approach tries to make meme coin trading more accessible to “normies,” as Tensor co-founder Ilja Moisejeves put it on X. According to Tensor’s founders, everything about trading and crypto is “inherently social.” The main way it tries to achieve this is by making it a shareable experience, driving home the essence of community trading.

“It’s a new way to trade. It’s internet finance in every pocket. It’s how your normie friend gets into crypto. It’s the #1 app in appstore in 2025. Or it’s a f**king dud and I’ll be fired. I guess we’ll find out,” said Tensor co-founder Ilja Moisejevs on X.

As co-founder Richard Wu described on X, the project’s idea arose from a need for a solution to NFT fatigue. The project has been in development over the last eight months, a process the founders described as grueling.

“I probably had 1 weekend off since TGE. One of our BD guys retrained as PM to help with the load. People pulled 20hr days. Engineers slept in the office. 100s of feedback calls. 1000s of PRs. If you think Tensor was built fast…. my god, let me tell you, this thing is 10x more feature-full and was built 10x faster. The team was stupid locked in,” said Tensor co-founder Ilja Moisejevs on X.

Earlier this week, they opened up early access to their waitlist. Shortly after, they had to suspend sign-ups due to high demand, an auspicious sign. Those who’ve already signed up will be granted access in the coming weeks. The existing holders of their NFT collection can confirm ownership on Discord.

In 2023, Tensor emerged as a strong player in the Solana NFT space. But as they debut this trading terminal, repeating that success remains to be seen as they enter this highly competitive atmosphere.

Over the last year, meme coin trading has boomed, largely thanks to Pump.fun, which enables users to create tokens easily and cheaply. Some tokens, like Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) and Goatseus Maximum (GOAT), have even reached impressive market caps, bringing substantial gains to early investors.

Even with impressive examples like these, most meme coins experience quick deaths. History has proven the same for SocialFi.

The Sad Saga of SocialFi

In late 2024, SocialFi platforms like Farcaster, Lens, and Friend.Tech began seeing a steep decline in user activity. Farcaster, a platform focused on user privacy and data control, experienced a substantial drop in daily active users (DAUs), from 67,000 in July to 34,000 in October, despite acquiring $150 million in funding earlier this year.

Friend.Tech also saw a tumble in revenue. Originally yielding over $4 million in fees in September 2023, developers have since renounced control of its smart contract.

Now, they can no longer make changes or claim ownership. As of June, the project no longer generates any revenue.

These struggles highlight challenges in maintaining user interest in the SocialFi space despite large investments and early excitement. However, the recent meme coin craze serves as an ideal launchpad for Vector.fun to take off, testing the arena for SocialFi readiness in the community.