Dogecoin, PEPE, and Shiba Inu rise to double digits: why memecoins are the first big bet of 2026

Source: Yellow Original Title: Dogecoin, PEPE and Shiba Inu Rise to Double Digits: Why Memecoins Are the First Major Bet of 2026

Original Link: https://yellow.com/es/news/dogecoin-pepe-y-shiba-inu-suben-a-doble-d-why-memecoins-are-the-first-major-bet-of-2026 Dogecoin (DOGE) and PEPE led a strong rally in memecoins on January 3, as traders rotated into high-risk assets.

Dogecoin rose 11% in 24 hours, while PEPE surged 17% during the day after even stronger intraday movements.

The broader memecoin market heated up with CoinGecko’s GMCI Meme Index showing a market value of $33.8 billion.

Trading volume reached $5.9 billion across the memecoin sector.

Dog-themed tokens lead the gains

Shiba Inu (SHIB) increased by 8% in the same period.

Bonk, based on Solana (BONK), added nearly 11%, while Floki rose close to 10%.

The rally extended beyond the main tokens, as small-cap memecoins recorded even larger gains.

Mog Coin (MOG) jumped 14% on January 3 and gained 37% in seven days.

Popcat increased 9% daily and advanced over 17% in the week.

Market conditions drive rotation

Bitcoin (BTC) remained in a limited range as post-holiday liquidity continued to be uneven.

Traders sought high-beta exposure without clear macroeconomic catalysts.

Memecoins benefited from these conditions, as they move quickly and attract momentum flows that do not require fundamental narratives.

Tokens maintain deep derivatives markets on major platforms.

Trader CyrilXBT noted on social media that PEPE rebounded from a strong demand zone with volume returning.

Doubts about sustainability persist

Rallies could be fragile despite initial momentum.

When positions become too crowded or Bitcoin drops, memecoins can quickly unwind.

The same leverage that accelerates bullish moves can force sharp corrections downward.

An “index of meme season” approach tracks how many large memecoins outperform Bitcoin over defined time windows.

An increase in these figures often indicates traders are rotating into higher-risk corners of the market rather than buying large-cap tokens.

The next signal will show whether the movement extends beyond a handful of liquid memecoins or quickly fades.

Market analysts have considered memecoins as a thermometer of speculative appetite.

Price action suggests traders are willing to take selective risks as 2026 begins.