Midcurve (bell curve meme)

The meme shows a bell curve of intelligence. On the left, a simple character says something basic, such as just buy bitcoin. On the right, a hooded genius says the same thing. In the middle, a stressed character delivers a long, convoluted argument for doing something else. Calling someone midcurve means they are clever enough to overcomplicate things but not wise enough to see that the simple answer was right.

In crypto, the format is used for strategies like holding versus active trading, self-custody, airdrop farming and memecoin buying, and as a playful insult in debates. It reflects a real observation: elaborate trading systems often underperform a plain long-term plan once costs and mistakes are counted.

The meme can also be used to dismiss legitimate analysis. Whoever draws it decides which view sits at the ends, so it flatters the poster's own opinion. Simple strategies are not always right, and complexity is sometimes justified.