The title of this text, “The Return of the Meme Coin,” may very effectively be the title of a comedy film, nevertheless it should not be taken flippantly.
However have a look at what occurred within the first few days of 2026. Two of the 5 digital belongings with the best weekly positive factors within the high 100 by market capitalization are on this class. These are two meme cash that received off to a powerful begin this yr and captured the eye of the market: PEPE and BONK.
As seen within the chart beneath, PEPE, a meme coin on the Ethereum community, has gained 41.5% over the previous 7 days.
In the meantime, BONK, a meme cryptocurrency that operates on the Solana community, 40.6% enchancment over the identical intervalcementing itself as one of many winners of Week 1 of 2026.
Other than this particular improve, this transfer is often interpreted as an indication of extra optimism and renewed danger urge for food.
Meme cash ship a sign
This conduct didn’t come out of nowhere, however is the results of a change in market sentiment. The truth that Bitcoin (BTC) began buying and selling above $90,000 in 2026.
Add to this the geopolitical information that injects liquidity into monetary markets and favors “danger” belongings.
On this situation, meme cash sometimes act as a thermometer of speculative temper. It’s because traders search to maximise their income and make investments their holdings in additional unstable belongings.
The hovering value of this meme coin has reignited the controversy over the potential for an alt season in 2026. Though there are voices opposing this, some analysts The market may expertise this era that merchants have been ready for.
Yoandris Ribes Rodríguez, Latin America regional supervisor at B2BINPAY, spoke to CriptoNoticias about the potential for this yr’s alt season.
Concerning this, he defined, “There are a number of necessary components to contemplate when speaking concerning the prospects for an alt season. The primary and most necessary is the macroeconomic scenario. Individuals want out there capital to put money into danger belongings, and that solely occurs when financial circumstances are secure or bettering.”
He added {that a} true altseason would additionally require a decline in BTC’s dominance, as “in a Bitcoin season atmosphere, altcoins sometimes underperform.”
Past what’s going to occur within the coming months, the truth that two meme cash stand out. The primary week of 2026 serves as a transparent sign that danger urge for food is returning.
