'Memecoin Prices Explode $8 Billion as Whales Return to DOGE, SHIB, PEPE'

The memecoin market experienced a significant revival in early 2026, with its value increasing by nearly $8 billion within days as retail investors re-entered the cryptocurrency space. The sector now stands at approximately $49.5 billion, marking a 30% increase year-to-date despite a 6.2% pullback in the past 24 hours.

Trading volumes reached $9.2 billion during the peak of the rally before settling at $5.5 billion. Market data shows buyers outnumbering sellers across most memecoin projects, indicating sustained investor interest. Short liquidations contributed to the rapid price recovery from 2025 lows.

Major Tokens Lead Recovery with Strong Weekly Performance

Dogecoin has emerged as a standout performer with institutional-level accumulation. According to our recent coverage, Whale investors purchased 220 million DOGE tokens in the past day, signaling renewed confidence among large holders. The asset currently trades at $0.1421, up 18.1% over seven days. Technical analysis indicates that $0.15 is a critical resistance level that could confirm continued upward momentum.

DOGE’s price action over the past week (Source:CoinCodex)

Shiba Inu recorded a 22.3% weekly gain despite slipping 4.43% in the last 24 hours to $0.00000861 at the time of writing. On-chain metrics from CoinGecko demonstrate persistent bullish sentiment surrounding the token. The price action reflects broader market volatility while maintaining an upward trajectory over longer timeframes.

SHIB’s price action over the past week (Source:CoinCodex)

Pepe Coin delivered the most impressive gains, surging 50.3% over the previous week. The token climbed from $0.000003647 on December 17 to a peak of $0.000007265. Social media platform X witnessed a sharp shift in sentiment as PEPE added approximately $3 billion to its market capitalization in a single session. The asset currently trades at $0.00000624.

PEPE’s price action over the past week (Source: CoinCodex)

Speculation Increases Across Emerging Memecoin Projects

Beyond established tokens, newer projects like POPCAT and MOG have attracted speculative interest. Analytics firm Santiment reports heightened market activity surrounding these assets as the sector recovers from the challenges of early 2026. Trading patterns suggest investors are expanding beyond legacy memecoins in search of higher returns.

The timing of this rally mirrors previous cycles. Holiday periods typically see reduced trading volumes, followed by renewed activity in January. Post-tax-loss harvesting flows and fresh capital entering the market create conditions favorable for speculative assets.

Historical data provides context for current movements. December 2020 witnessed similar quiet conditions before January 2021's explosive rally. That cycle propelled the memecoin sector from under $10 billion to over $100 billion in market capitalization. The pattern involved extended consolidation phases followed by rapid appreciation driven by retail demand.