Crypto: Memecoins Using Dead Footballer's Name Spark Outrage

Memecoins using the name and image of Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel appeared shortly after his death on November 3, 2026. The 30-year-old CD Tenerife striker died following a collision during a match against FC Andorra. On X, screenshots showed traders displaying gains of $84.99 and $90.29 on tokens linked to his death. The posts sparked criticism across the crypto community, with some users questioning the limits of speculation on Pump.fun.

Memecoins Appear Shortly After Footballer’s Death

The controversy emerged on November 3, as Spanish football mourned Jesús de Miguel. The incident comes amid growing concerns over speculative tokens, with Pump.fun having made memecoin creation increasingly accessible.

The striker died at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to CD Tenerife. He had been hospitalized after colliding with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during Monday’s match at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium.

The collision left him requiring emergency medical attention. He was taken to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, where his condition subsequently deteriorated.

His club confirmed the death and requested privacy for his family. Meanwhile, screenshots began circulating among crypto traders showing tokens named “MIGUEL” and “Miguel.” Some displayed photographs of the footballer wearing Tenerife’s shirt, while others included references to his death.

One screenshot shared by the account Loshmi showed a position valued at $175.64, with a displayed profit of $84.99. The trading panel appeared alongside a photograph of De Miguel and news reporting his death.

Another image showed a token labeled “Miguel,” accompanied by the words “RIP Jesús.” Its displayed position was worth $169.25, including a gain of $90.29. These figures come from screenshots documented by Crypto.news. They do not independently establish that the profits were realized through completed sales.

The identities of the token creators also remain unknown. No reliable total trading volume or market capitalization has been established for the tokens involved.

Crypto Traders Condemn Speculation on a Death

The screenshots triggered criticism on X, including from users who normally participate in the memecoin market. Loshmi condemned the practice of trading tokens associated with deceased people. The post had attracted approximately 12,700 views when the screenshot cited by Crypto.news was recorded.

Other accounts joined the discussion. Visionary of the Family and Meme Detective criticized traders who use news of someone’s death to attract buyers and generate quick profits.

The controversy is not entirely new. In September 2025, tokens using the name of American activist Charlie Kirk appeared after his assassination. According to previous Crypto.news reporting, one token surged more than 53,000% and briefly exceeded a $5 million market capitalization.

Another token, JusticeforCharlie, reportedly surpassed $7 million.

Such episodes reveal how quickly real-world events can become trading opportunities. A creator can launch a token using a recognizable name, photograph or trending topic, hoping that attention will attract buyers.

Early traders may then attempt to sell their holdings to later participants. The price depends heavily on speculation and the availability of buyers.

The financial results can vary considerably. In the latest controversy, the displayed gains were relatively small. However, the criticism concerns the use of a deceased person’s identity for commercial speculation rather than the amount of money involved.

There is also no verified evidence that De Miguel’s family authorized these tokens or received any proceeds from their trading.

Pump.fun Faces Another Moderation Debate

Pump.fun has previously faced criticism over inappropriate content associated with its token-launching ecosystem. In November 2024, the platform suspended livestreaming after several incidents involving harmful or disturbing content. Five months later, it reintroduced livestreaming with stronger moderation measures.

The company said its policies included removing inappropriate token names, images, descriptions and comments. It also reported doubling its human moderation team and investing in automated detection systems.

Those measures were introduced to address an environment where users can create and promote tokens quickly, sometimes around controversial subjects.

However, the current case requires an important distinction. Crypto.news documented criticism directed at Pump.fun users, but the available evidence does not establish the identity of the creators or confirm that Pump.fun itself launched or endorsed the tokens associated with De Miguel.

No specific removal decision or enforcement action concerning these tokens has been independently confirmed. The controversy raises questions about whether platforms should restrict the use of deceased individuals’ identities in speculative assets. It also illustrates the difficulty of monitoring new tokens as they appear.

A token can attract attention within minutes, while identifying its creator and assessing potential violations may take longer.

For traders, the screenshots offer another reminder that displayed profits do not necessarily represent money successfully withdrawn from a position. Low liquidity can make such gains difficult to realize.

The wider memecoin market has already experienced sharp declines despite spectacular gains in individual tokens. The controversy surrounding Jesús de Miguel adds an ethical question to that financial risk. His family has requested privacy, while online traders debate whether a person’s death should ever become the subject of a speculative crypto token.