In brief
- Meme coins Pepe, Bonk, and Shiba Inu led a speculative charge, with double-digit gains, as Bitcoin pushed above $90,000.
- Macro factors like rate cuts could fuel a “risk-on” 2026, but some have warned meme coin rallies are poor signals due to low liquidity.
- Market sentiment remains split, with prediction market optimism at a 2026 high while the broader Crypto Fear & Greed Index stays in “Fear.”
Meme coins are surging amid renewed interest in the sector, as Bitcoin continues to grind higher for the start of the year.
Leading the charge are Bonk, Pepe, and Shiba Inu, posting 24-hour gains of over 20%, 14%, and 10%, respectively, according to CoinGecko data. On a weekly basis, however, Pepe leads with a 70% rally, followed by Bonk…
Jan 06 2026
