Meme coins have made a remarkable comeback, showcasing significant gains as Bitcoin surpassed the $90,000 threshold. This surge in popularity has been markedly led by cryptocurrencies such as Pepe, Bonk, and Shiba Inu, each experiencing impressive 24-hour increases of over 20%, 14%, and 10%, respectively. Notably, on a weekly scale, Pepe has jumped by an astonishing 70%, followed closely by Bonk with a 48% uptick and Dogecoin with a respectable 22%.
The renewed interest in these riskier assets comes in conjunction with Bitcoin’s recent stability, as the leading cryptocurrency has closed higher for four consecutive days. After several attempts late in 2025 to break through the $90,000 barrier, this latest achievement appears to resonate with market watchers. Additionally, the surge in Bitcoin’s price has been supported by a notable increase in aggregated open interest, which now stands at $31.44 billion—marking a six-week high.
Macroeconomic factors are also playing a role in shaping market sentiments. Analysts suggest that sustained cuts in interest rates, coupled with a disinflationary environment and new U.S. access to strategic resources, including Venezuelan oil, may set the stage for a “risk-on” market sentiment in 2026. Derek Lim, head of research at crypto market-making firm Caladan, believes these elements may be influencing current trading behaviors. However, he cautioned against reading too much into the rally of meme coins as an indicator of a broader market shift. He highlighted the potential risks, noting that the pumps seen in these tokens could be the result of low liquidity and small market floats, which may not accurately reflect wider market dynamics.
Retail sentiment appears cautiously optimistic as well. According to the prediction market Myriad, there is now an 82% probability that Bitcoin will reach $100,000 before it dips back to $69,000—an increase from 62% at the year’s start. This uptick in confidence isn’t confined solely to meme coins; other altcoins like Hyperliquid, Hedera, Aster, and XRP have also exhibited gains of approximately 5% over the last 24 hours.
Despite these positive developments, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index indicates that the broader psychological recovery from the downturn experienced in 2025 is not yet fully realized. While the gains in meme coins signify renewed interest, the prevailing sentiment across the crypto landscape remains mixed, reflecting a cautious approach among investors as they navigate this evolving market.
