A Solana-based meme token named $JUDE, launched after Jude Bellingham's historic World Cup performances, surged to a peak of roughly $0.00062 before crashing about 98% in hours. The token was not endorsed by the player or any official entity.
Bellingham's historic goals
The 22-year-old Real Madrid midfielder scored braces in consecutive World Cup knockout matches, first against Mexico on July 5 and then against Norway on July 11. His two goals against Mexico came in just 98 seconds, one of the fastest braces in tournament history. Bellingham became the second-youngest player to achieve back-to-back knockout braces, after Pelé.
The $JUDE token launch
Shortly after the matches, an unofficial token called $JUDE appeared on Solana, briefly reaching $0.00062 before plummeting roughly 98%. No official crypto projects or tokens endorsed by Bellingham have been identified. The player himself appears to have had no involvement with the token.
Regulatory implications
The incident highlights the risks of athlete-linked meme tokens, which may attract regulatory scrutiny. Several jurisdictions are tightening rules around celebrity crypto endorsements. The irony was not lost on observers: Bellingham's 98-second brace was mirrored by the token's 98% crash.