NGMI (Not Gonna Make It): What Does It Mean & Why It Matters

The cryptosphere is filled with passionate enthusiasts from all walks of life. Retail investors, financial professionals, and tech individuals all created a diverse community with their own language and catchphrases. Among many terms like “bulls and bears" and “FUDs and HODLs,” an “NGMI” crypto acronym is a particularly interesting one.

But what exactly does NGMI stand for? Why did it become such a prominent phrase in the crypto realm? Why does it encapsulate the highly technical yet playful dynamic in the crypto community of NFT collectors and traders?

In this guide, we explore the less-talked-about aspect of the world of crypto, but just as important to its progress—the human element. We'll delve into the depths of colloquialism to decipher what the NGMI crypto acronym really means and what its significance is.

What Does NGMI Mean in Crypto?

The full form of NGMI is “Not Gonna Make It” or “Not Going to Make It.” The term is used by individuals who want to describe an anticipation of failure or underperformance. However, the purpose of the term NGMI usually isn’t to be bleak or serious but to represent a cheerful and spirited way of addressing and handling potential losses.

In the vast tapestry of crypto and blockchain, there are countless digital assets, each bringing its own set of risks and rewards. Because of this diversity, people often have to spend a lot of time and energy constantly and attentively analyzing and judging the potential of these resources.

In those situations, particularly during periods of downtrends and potential losses, many individuals find it beneficial to approach candid assessments with an upbeat attitude. In the volatile world of crypto, a simple NGMI can be a word of caution, reminding ambitious investors not to overextend and expose themselves to unnecessary risk.

Finally, the term NGMI got so popular that it resulted in the creation of the NGMI Coin on the Cardano blockchain. While $NGMI was designed as a meme, it features real tokenomics.

Its maximum supply is 420,690 trillion tokens, most of which were distributed through airdrops. While the price of the NGMI Coin is a fraction of a cent, there are plans to introduce staking and liquidity farming options for holders in the future.

Origins of NGMI Acronym

The origins of the NGMI acronym can be traced back to the community website called 4chan. At first, it had nothing to do with crypto—the term was used by the members of the fitness community board to mock those who seemingly didn’t put in enough effort to reach their goals.

The acronym eventually found its way onto 4chan’s business board, where participants were using it while discussing stock trading. It wasn’t long before NGMI became a part of the meme culture, and its use case spilled over into the cryptocurrency space.

How Is NGMI Used in Crypto Space?

In the crypto space, NGMI is usually used to mock someone’s poor investment choices or express skepticism regarding some assets. In a lively cryptocurrency market where assets can experience rapid price changes in short periods of time, it is crucial to perform quick evaluations and respond to new information just as swiftly.

This is where the NGMI crypto acronym comes into play. While many enthusiasts use the term in a sarcastic manner, the meaning of NGMI also makes it work as a concise and effective warning. When someone notices flaws in projects or teams behind them, they can mark them by using "NGMI,” warning everyone to approach investing with care.

For instance, if a project shows signs of a pump and dump scheme, community members can comment “NGMI” on its social media accounts, warning everyone to be cautious. Furthermore, experienced investors might communicate “NGMI” to their less experienced peers who bought some coins or tokens during their all-time high prices.

Another use case for NGMI in the crypto realm is to signify the start of a bearish trend or even a bear market. Mocking “NGMI” remarks by savvy investors and experienced analysts can indicate an incoming downturn.

Ultimately, people rarely use NGMI as a conclusive statement. The point is usually to highlight someone’s mishaps, advise them to learn from their mistakes, and make them better investors down the line.

What Does WAGMI Mean?

WAGMI means “We’re All Gonna Make It” or “We’re All Going to Make It.” It’s the polar opposite of NGMI in the crypto world and in general. WAGMI is an upbeat and optimistic phrase, and it’s often used to signal collective successes and positive beliefs in the future.

Much like NGMI, WAGMI was also coined on 4chan, and its creator was a popular internet personality and bodybuilder known as Zyzz. After he passed away in 2011, the community took the phrase over as a means of inspiration and encouragement.

Around the year 2020, the phrase became prominent in the sphere of finance. It exploded in popularity in 2021, during the overlap of traditional finance’s “Gamestop Squeeze” and the height of the cryptocurrency market’s bull run.

At its core, WAGMI is a rallying cry that emphasizes inspiring collective spirit, which represents the backbone of the crypto world. It’s often used during strong bull runs when cryptocurrencies experience considerable price spikes.

On the other hand, WAGMI can be used to encourage communities during periods of challenging market conditions. During these times, crypto maximalists might use “WAGMI” to overpower skeptics and maintain morale among investors.

What is GM?

GM stands for “Good Morning" and is a seemingly innocuous term. However, the acronym holds special significance in the crypto ecosystem, especially on social media platforms.

The term was popularized on Twitter (now called X) and is used as a blend of meme culture and community companionship. Many crypto enthusiasts upload daily posts where they include GM. This is a way of signifying the start of a new day in the perpetual and ever-evolving cryptosphere, indicating the importance of involvement and persistence.

As a result, GM is used to display good will and promote positive feelings about the market. Its use isn’t tied to a time of day. Instead, crypto enthusiasts can include GM before starting daily market discussions while interacting with others on social media to amplify the effect of a meme and more.

The Usage of Acronyms in Crypto Trading

The use of acronyms in the crypto community serves many practical and psychological purposes. Here are some of the key reasons why this subculture is filled with acronyms:

• Identification. Long-term crypto supporters are likely familiar with most acronyms, including NGMI and WAGMI. Their use allows enthusiasts to identify each other, strengthening the sense of community.
• Gatekeeping. Acronyms can help experienced members recognize each other but also protect their communities from potentially bad actors. There are individuals who aren’t passionate about crypto but, for instance, want to scam other users.
• Efficiency. By using short acronyms with deep underlying meanings, individuals can convey a lot of information in a concise manner. That’s particularly important on social media (X, for instance, allows a maximum of 280 characters per post).

While there are many acronyms used in crypto trading and in the ecosystem in general, here are some of the most common ones:

• FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) is used to label negative information about a project or topic or to highlight a pessimistic mindset.
• DYOR (do your own research) is a reminder to all participants to not take any information for granted and always look into the specifics before investing.
• HODL(hold on for dear life) is a misspelled version of “hold” and is used to describe the sentiment that investors should hold their assets since they will likely appreciate in time.

Key Takeaways

That concludes today’s lesson on NGMI and other crypto acronyms. At first glance, the topic doesn’t seem as important as whether crypto trading is legal, for instance. However, deciphering the minute details present in the crypto ecosystem can be vital. It’s this particular knowledge that can differentiate a savvy expert from an average retail investor.

Whether you’ve been labeled as “NGMI,” fallen for “FUD,” or experienced “FOMO,” know that these experiences are just steps toward greatness. Safe investing!