# What is Turbo?

By [latak](https://paragraph.com/@latak) · 2024-10-13

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Turbo is a **meme coin project** launched on the **Ethereum network**, featuring a mascot of a toad wearing an astronaut helmet. Unlike typical meme coins, Turbo began as an **experiment to see if ChatGPT could create a complete meme coin project**.

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### **Project Origins and Process**

The project was initiated by **Rhett Mankind**, an AI artist with 20 years of experience and involvement in crypto since 2013. During a difficult period in 2022-2023, Rhett, frustrated with his art career and crypto downturn, decided to conduct an experiment with a modest **budget of $69**. On **April 24, 2023**, he tweeted about using **ChatGPT (GPT-4)** to create a meme coin with the goal of reaching the **top 300 on CoinGecko**.

1.  **Idea and Community Involvement**:
    
    *   ChatGPT suggested 10 meme coin ideas. The community voted, selecting **Turbo Toad (TTT)** as the project’s theme.
        
    *   With assistance from **ChatGPT** and **MidJourney**, Rhett developed the coin’s design and tokenomics, including writing a whitepaper.
        
2.  **Launch Issues and Setbacks**:
    
    *   Rhett created a **liquidity pool on Uniswap** with the initial $69 investment. Unfortunately, a bot **swept all the tokens**, halting the project.
        
    *   Rhett sought advice from ChatGPT, which suggested **crowdfunding** from the crypto community to restart the project.
        
3.  **Community Support and Relaunch**:
    
    *   Rhett raised **3.5 ETH (~$6,669)** from 50 supporters and launched a new token, **Turbo (TURBO)**, with revised tokenomics.
        

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### **Turbo's Success and Impact**

By **Day 5**, Rhett distributed TURBO tokens to early investors, and the community set up liquidity pools. The project saw **unexpected success**:

*   **16,000 holders**, up from the initial 50.
    
*   **Market cap surpassing $100 million**.
    
*   **Trading volume reaching $84 million** within a month.
    

Rhett’s heartfelt journey resonated with the community, and Turbo gained viral traction on **social media**. Despite a modest start with limited attention, the project quickly became a sensation, ultimately transforming Rhett's life.

On **September 16, 2024**, Turbo achieved a major milestone with its **listing on Binance**, the largest crypto exchange, cementing its place in the market.

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*Originally published on [latak](https://paragraph.com/@latak/what-is-turbo-1)*