Controversy is growing as meme coin marketing moves beyond online promotion and into real-world acts that encourage self-harm and risky behavior. Cointelegraph reported that Solana-based token issuance platform Pump.fun has been criticised for running reward-based promotions that allegedly turned shaving heads, heavy drinking and tattoos into marketing tools. Critics say attention competition drives extreme stunts and benefits platforms indirectly, while others argue participation is voluntary. The debate is also raising questions about regulation and legal classification.