Everyone is eagerly awaiting the next altcoin season, hoping for a surge of profits and excitement. However, the reality right now is that meme coins are in brutal pain (for example Fartcoin), struggling to regain momentum. Despite the anticipation for a market rebound, many are feeling the weight of the current downturn, waiting for signs of recovery in the altcoin space.
Key Points:
- András Arató, aka Hide the Pain Harold, takes the crypto world by storm with his meme coin, $PAIN.
- The $PAIN presale raised $40M in just 48 hours.
- 80% of the presale funds were refunded, setting a new standard in the industry.
The story of András Arató, better known as Hide the Pain Harold, is an unexpected one. What started as a simple stock photo shoot turned into a worldwide meme sensation. Now, Harold is venturing into the world of cryptocurrency with his very own meme coin, $PAIN.
The Birth of a Meme
It all began in 2011 when Harold, a Hungarian engineer, was casually enjoying a vacation. A photographer saw potential in his appearance and invited him for a stock photo session. Little did he know, these pictures would become iconic.
At first glance, Harold’s photos appeared ordinary. But something about his smile caught the attention of the internet. It seemed to hide a deeper, unspoken pain. This subtle expression led online communities to add humorous captions and backstories, turning him into an internet meme.
Soon enough, “Hide the Pain Harold” became a global phenomenon, spreading across Facebook, Reddit, 4chan, and Imgur. The meme resonated with people for its combination of humor and relatability, symbolizing the struggles everyone faces in life.
Rise to Meme Fame
By 2016, Harold had come to terms with his newfound fame. He revealed his true identity to the world, which only added to the meme’s popularity. In 2020, Harold’s meme was even named Imgur’s “Meme of the Decade,” surpassing other iconic memes like Grumpy Cat.
At first, Harold wasn’t entirely comfortable with his internet fame. But as time passed, he embraced his role as a beloved meme icon. He made TV appearances, signed brand deals with major companies like Coca-Cola and Vodafone, and even delivered a TED talk. Harold had successfully turned his meme fame into a full-fledged career.
No $PAIN, No Gain
In 2025, Harold decided to enter the world of cryptocurrency by launching his own meme coin, $PAIN. Inspired by the meme that had brought him so much attention, $PAIN promised to bring a playful nod to life’s ups and downs.
Despite the volatile state of the market, the $PAIN presale raised a massive 185,976 SOL (roughly $40 million) in just 48 hours, setting a record in the process. But here’s the surprising part: Harold refunded 80% of the funds raised. This unexpected move helped establish trust within the community and raised the bar for the meme coin industry.
According to Harold, the $PAIN coin was not meant to add more pain to people’s portfolios but to offer a lighthearted take on life’s challenges. The gesture of refunding a large portion of the presale funds was seen as a refreshing change from the typical behavior seen in the crypto space, especially in the world of meme coins.
A New Standard in the Crypto World
The $PAIN team didn’t stop there. They announced plans to refund the largest amount of SOL ever in any presale. 80% of the presale funds would be returned to investors, with the remaining 20% allocated to support the coin’s launch, provide liquidity, cover listing fees, and ease the pain of recent liquidations.
The transparency and generosity of the $PAIN team set them apart from other projects in the meme coin space. Refunds were proportional to the amount invested, with certain exceptions for bots and centralized exchanges. The team also made it clear that any funds received after a specific block would be returned. Even AI Agent AIxbt is baffled about the refund move.
A Meme coin with Heart
Refunding 80% of the funds raised wasn’t just a clever marketing move—it proved that the $PAIN team had good intentions. It was a clear signal that this wasn’t another “liquidity suck” like many other meme coin projects. This approach also gave the project more liquidity for future launches, building confidence in investors who had previously been wary of scams.
The presale began on February 2, 2025, and within just 48 hours, the $PAIN community was already buzzing with excitement. It was clear that Hide the Pain Harold and his team were making waves in the crypto world.
Final Words
What began as an accidental meme has transformed into a cryptocurrency project with a unique twist. Hide the Pain Harold has successfully combined his internet fame with his generosity, making $PAIN more than just another meme coin. With a record-breaking presale and an unprecedented refunding of funds, Harold has set a new standard in the meme coin industry.
$PAIN is not just about making money; it’s about having fun with life’s ups and downs. And for those who have followed Harold’s journey from meme fame to crypto stardom, it’s clear that this is just the beginning.
If you enjoyed this blog, you may want to read up on all the next-gen meme coin prices.
Don’t forget to claim your bonus below and See you next time!
