The memecoin market cap rose more than 23% in the past week, according to CoinMarketCap data cited in the report. The sector rebounded after it traded near late 2025 lows.
CoinMarketCap showed the memecoin market cap crossing $47.7 billion on Monday. The reading stood near $38 billion on Dec. 29, based on the same dataset.
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At the same time, memecoin transaction volume surged. It jumped from $2.17 billion on Dec. 29 to $8.7 billion on Monday, a nearly 300% increase in memecoin transaction volume.
Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe post weekly gains as CoinMarketCap tracks the move
The biggest names led the weekly move in the memecoin market cap. Dogecoin rose more than 20% over the past week, according to the figures referenced from CoinMarketCap.
Shiba Inu also advanced during the same period. Shiba Inu gained 19.9%, adding to the rise in the memecoin market cap.
Pepe posted the largest jump among the three. Pepe surged more than 65% in a week, while memecoin transaction volume climbed in step with the memecoin market cap, based on the report’s numbers.
Santiment points to post holiday timing as crypto market cap lags behind memecoins
The report tied the rebound to changing retail mood, with Santiment commenting on the timing.
Santiment said the memecoin bounce “began shortly after FUD was reaching its highest levels among retail traders, just a few days after Christmas.”
Santiment added that markets can move against expectations. The firm said:
“As always, stay timely and capitalize on assets that the retail crowd has written off the most.”
While memecoins moved faster, the broader crypto market cap increased at a slower pace.
The crypto market cap rose more than 5%, from about $2.97 trillion to $3.13 trillion, according to the report.
Bitcoin and Ether rise as Crypto Fear and Greed Index shifts to neutral
In the wider market, Bitcoin gained about 5% over the week. It traded near $92,335 as of Monday, according to the same update that tracked the crypto market cap.
Ether also moved higher. Ether rose about 7.3% and traded near $3,168, based on the report’s figures.
Sentiment indicators changed as well. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index tracked by CoinMarketCap flipped to neutral on Sunday, with a score of 40, marking the first neutral reading since October.
Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
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Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: January 5, 2026 • 🕓 Last updated: January 5, 2026
