Definition
WAGMI (pronounced “wag-mee”) is a popular cryptocurrency and Web3 acronym standing for “We’re All Gonna Make It” – a rallying cry of collective optimism, community solidarity, and bullish conviction used extensively in crypto culture, NFT communities, and DeFi spaces. The phrase originated in bodybuilding and fitness communities (popularized by the late Zyzz – Aziz Shavershian – an Australian fitness influencer who died in 2011) and was adopted by the crypto community around 2020–2021 as a motivational expression during market rallies, project launches, and community-building moments. WAGMI represents the belief that the crypto ecosystem as a whole will succeed and that early participants will be rewarded for their conviction, risk-taking, and diamond-handed holding through bear markets. It’s used in contrast to NGMI (“Not Gonna Make It”) – a tongue-in-cheek criticism directed at people perceived as making poor crypto decisions (selling too early, missing obvious opportunities, being overly bearish, or not understanding blockchain technology). While WAGMI started as genuine motivation, its usage has become nuanced: it can express authentic community optimism during milestone achievements, serve as ironic commentary during market downturns (holding bags while saying “WAGMI”), or function as a social bonding mechanism within specific NFT or token communities. The WAGMI ethos has also spawned actual projects and DAOs – WAGMI token derivatives, WAGMI-themed NFT collections, and community funds named after the phrase.
Origin & History
| Date | Event |
| 2010–2011 | Zyzz (Aziz Shavershian) popularizes “we’re all gonna make it” in fitness community |
| Aug 2011 | Zyzz passes away; phrase becomes a memorial meme in fitness culture |
| 2020 | Crypto community adopts WAGMI during DeFi Summer optimism |
| 2021 | NFT boom: WAGMI becomes ubiquitous in Crypto Twitter, Discord servers, and NFT communities |
| 2021 | NGMI (“Not Gonna Make It”) emerges as counterpart for bearish/wrong takes |
| 2022 | Bear market tests WAGMI conviction; ironic usage increases during crashes |
| 2022 | WAGMI used both sincerely (community support) and satirically (while losing money) |
| 2023–2026 | WAGMI remains core crypto vocabulary; embedded in community culture, project names, and DAOs |
“WAGMI isn’t just about price going up. It’s about believing that this technology – decentralized, permissionless, open – will fundamentally change the world. That’s the real ‘making it.'”
How It Works
| Crypto Slang | Meaning | Usage Context |
| WAGMI | We’re All Gonna Make It | Optimism, community, rally cry |
| NGMI | Not Gonna Make It | Criticism, humor, bad decisions |
| HODL | Hold On for Dear Life | Long-term holding conviction |
| Diamond Hands 💎🙌 | Holding through volatility | Resisting sell pressure |
| Paper Hands 🧻🙌 | Selling at first sign of dip | Weak conviction |
| LFG | Let’s F***ing Go | Excitement, bullish energy |
| GM / GN | Good Morning / Good Night | Community greeting (CT culture) |
| DYOR | Do Your Own Research | Due diligence reminder |
In Simple Terms
- Crypto’s battle cry: WAGMI is the crypto community’s way of saying “stay positive, hold strong, we’ll all succeed eventually.” It’s part motivation, part community bonding, and part inside joke.
- Origins in bodybuilding: The phrase “we’re all gonna make it, brah” was popularized by Zyzz, an Australian fitness influencer. Crypto culture adopted it as a rallying cry for collective optimism about blockchain’s future.
- Opposite: NGMI: If WAGMI is optimism, NGMI is the playful criticism. “He sold Bitcoin at $1,000” → NGMI. It’s usually used humorously, not maliciously, to point out mistakes or missed opportunities.
- Sincere and ironic: WAGMI can be used genuinely (celebrating a project milestone) or ironically (joking about portfolio losses during a crash). Context matters – the same phrase means different things depending on the market environment.
- Community identity: Saying “WAGMI” signals you’re part of the crypto community. It’s a shared vocabulary that creates belonging, especially in NFT Discords, Crypto Twitter, and DeFi communities.
Real-World Examples
| Scenario | Usage | Context |
| Bitcoin hits new ATH | “BTC at $100K! We always said WAGMI and here we are! 🚀” | Sincere celebration |
| NFT project launch | “Just minted – this community is incredible. WAGMI fam!” | Community excitement |
| Bear market portfolio | “Down 75% on everything but still here. WAGMI… probably.” | Ironic/coping humor |
| Friend sells too early | “He sold SOL at $10 before it went to $200. NGMI.” | Playful criticism |
Advantages
| Advantage | Description |
| Community building | Creates shared identity and solidarity among crypto participants |
| Positive reinforcement | Encourages conviction during volatility when many would panic sell |
| Cultural bonding | Inside language strengthens community ties in Discord/Twitter spaces |
| Motivational | Reminds participants of long-term potential during short-term pain |
| Accessible meme | Simple, memorable, and inclusive – anyone can use it |
Disadvantages & Risks
| Disadvantage | Description |
| Blind optimism | WAGMI can encourage holding losing positions beyond reasonable points |
| Echo chamber | Constant positivity can suppress legitimate criticism and risk assessment |
| Cult-like dynamics | Some communities weaponize WAGMI to discourage selling (benefiting insiders) |
| Misleading confidence | “WAGMI” doesn’t replace actual research, risk management, and diversification |
| Survivorship bias | Those who “made it” are vocal; thousands who lost everything aren’t posting “WAGMI” |
Risk Management Tips:
- WAGMI is motivation, not financial advice – always combine optimism with proper risk management
- Don’t let community sentiment prevent you from taking profits or cutting losses when warranted
- Remember that “we’re all gonna make it” isn’t actually true – most crypto tokens go to zero
- Use WAGMI as community bonding, not as an investment thesis
- Balance WAGMI optimism with DYOR discipline
FAQ
Where did WAGMI come from?
The phrase “we’re all gonna make it” was popularized by Zyzz (Aziz Shavershian), an Australian bodybuilder and internet personality who died in 2011. The crypto community adopted “WAGMI” around 2020–2021 during the DeFi and NFT boom.
Is WAGMI always used seriously?
No. WAGMI is used on a spectrum from completely sincere (celebrating genuine achievements) to deeply ironic (joking about massive portfolio losses). Context, tone, and market conditions determine the meaning.
What does NGMI mean?
NGMI stands for “Not Gonna Make It” – the opposite of WAGMI. It’s used humorously to describe bad crypto decisions (selling too early, falling for scams, not understanding basic concepts). It’s usually playful rather than genuinely mean.
Sources
- Know Your Meme – “We’re All Gonna Make It” Entry
- CoinDesk – Crypto Culture and Community Slang Guide
- The Block – NFT Community Culture Analysis
- Crypto Twitter – WAGMI Usage Etymology
- Vice – “How Zyzz Became the Ultimate Meme
