Dogecoin up over 20% in the past week, trading around $0.15 amid high volume.
PEPE surges 60-65%, leading gains among top meme tokens.
Meme coin market cap climbs to $47 billion, up 30% since late December 2025.
Shiba Inu and BONK post double-digit increases as risk appetite returns.
Trading volumes spike, signaling potential ‘meme season’ revival.
Meme coins have kicked off 2026 with significant momentum, outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market as traders rotate into higher-risk assets following the holiday lull.
Dogecoin (DOGE), the original meme cryptocurrency, has risen more than 20% over the past week, supported by strong trading volumes and whale accumulation exceeding 220 million tokens in recent days. Analysts note a short-term golden cross on DOGE charts, indicating potential for further upside if key support levels hold.
PEPE, the frog-themed token, has been the standout performer, surging approximately 65% in the same period amid breakout momentum on technical charts. This rally has pushed its market cap higher, contributing to broader sector gains.
The total meme coin market capitalization has expanded from around $38 billion at the end of December 2025 to over $47 billion as of early January 2026, representing a roughly 23-30% increase depending on measurement windows. This growth has been accompanied by elevated trading volumes, with platforms like Pump.fun on Solana recording record activity.
Other notable performers include Shiba Inu (SHIB), up nearly 20%, and Solana-based tokens like BONK, which gained over 50%. Community sentiment on platforms like X reflects optimism, with discussions around a returning “meme season” as liquidity improves post-holidays.
“A lot of these bursts are self-reinforcing in the short run, but fragile,” noted one CoinDesk analysis, highlighting that while leverage amplifies upside, crowded positioning can lead to rapid unwinds if Bitcoin falters or spot demand weakens.
Retail interest appears to be driving the move, with Google Trends data showing rising searches for “meme coin” since January 1 and on-chain metrics indicating reduced fear after late-2025 uncertainty. However, the sector remains highly speculative, with historical patterns showing sharp reversals following intense rallies.
Broader market factors, including fading tax-loss harvesting and early-year ETF inflows, have supported risk-on sentiment, though meme coins have outpaced majors like Bitcoin, which gained around 5% over similar periods.
Traders should monitor Bitcoin’s stability and volume sustainability, as meme coin performance often acts as a barometer for overall crypto risk appetite.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
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