Meme coin market rises over $47 billion as retail interest returns

Beincrypto reports the meme coin sector surged more than 30% in early 2026, pushing total market capitalization above $47 billion as of January 5.

Market data showed a 7% gain in 24 hours and trading volume hit $9.2 billion, with the sector outperforming the TOTAL3 index (up 7.5% since January 1). CoinGecko data listed weekly gains for major tokens — Dogecoin +20%, Shiba Inu +18.9% and Pepe +65.6% — while other meme coins also posted double‑digit increases. Santiment and Google Trends signalled rising retail interest after late‑December caution, and market watcher Tervelix pointed to tax dynamics — noting the IRS treats digital assets as property, so the 30‑day wash sale rule does not apply and investors can re‑enter positions in January.

Analysts say the rebound could mark a comeback after a weak 2025 but cautioned it is still too early to draw firm conclusions. In the weeks ahead, the market will determine whether meme coin gains can persist or if this rally will prove fleeting.

Key Topics

Crypto, Meme Coins, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Pepe, Irs