Hulkamania and The Mad Man Memecoins Soar 122,000% and 16,800% Post Hogan, Osbourne Deaths

Memecoins inspired by the legacies of pop culture icons Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne surged dramatically following their deaths, driven by nostalgia and speculative trading. A wrapped Ethereum token named Hulkamania (HULK) skyrocketed 122,000% to reach $0.001335 at its peak, while a memecoin titled The Mad Man (OZZY) jumped 16,800% to $0.003851, achieving a $4 million market cap. These movements coincided with widespread online tributes to the late wrestler and metal musician, whose careers left lasting cultural imprints. Hogan, a defining figure of 1980s and 1990s wrestling, and Osbourne, the Black Sabbath frontman dubbed the "Prince of Darkness," passed away within days of each other—Hogan from a cardiac arrest and Osbourne at age 76. Their deaths catalyzed a wave of crypto activity, with fans and traders capitalizing on the emotional resonance of their legacies [1].

The HULK token, first launched in June 2024 on the Solana blockchain, previously surged 2,000% in the 24 hours preceding Hogan’s death, trading at $0.0006146 and reaching a $500,000 market cap. While far below its 2024 peak of $18.8 million, the token’s recent rally underscores the cyclical nature of memecoin speculation tied to celebrity influence. The OZZY token, created hours before Osbourne’s passing, highlighted the crypto community’s rapid response to cultural moments. Simultaneously, Osbourne’s death spurred demand for NFTs from his CryptoBatz collection, blending traditional fandom with blockchain-based assets [1].

This pattern of memecoin surges following celebrity deaths is not unprecedented. Similar tokens emerged after the deaths of O.J. Simpson and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 2023. Analysts note that such spikes often reflect genuine fanbases but increasingly serve as vehicles for speculative gains. “It’s sad how quickly people turn grief into a trading opportunity,” an industry observer remarked, highlighting the tension between market behavior and cultural reverence [1].

The HULK token’s trajectory also involved controversy. Hogan had previously promoted it on his X account before denying the posts, a dynamic that resurfaced as the token surged amid his death announcement. This episode illustrates the blurred lines between celebrity endorsement, community-driven projects, and market manipulation in the memecoin space. Meanwhile, the OZZY token’s meteoric rise underscores the crypto sector’s capacity to monetize nostalgia, even in moments of mourning [1].

The broader implications for the memecoin market remain uncertain. While these tokens occasionally achieve fleeting notoriety, their long-term viability depends on sustained community engagement and practical use cases. The recent HULK and OZZY surges exemplify the volatile nature of crypto assets tied to celebrity influence, where emotional narratives can temporarily eclipse fundamentals. As the market grapples with this duality, investors and regulators face the challenge of balancing cultural homage with speculative excess [1].

Source: [1] [title: Hulk And Ozzy Memecoins Soar After Generational Icons Pass Away] [url: https://cryptodaily.co.uk/2025/07/hulk-and-ozzy-memecoins-soar-after-generational-icons-pass-away]