The crypto market boosted by a spectacular rebound in memecoins

The capitalization of memecoins jumped by more than 23% at the very start of 2026, with trading volume almost quadrupling. Clearly, “hot” money has returned to the crypto market. According to CoinMarketCap, the sector grew from around $38 billion on December 29 to more than $47.7 billion a week later, while volumes climbed toward $8.7 billion.

Crypto: a return of risk appetite, visible at first glance

Memecoins do not rise silently. They make noise because they concentrate pure speculation. When they leave, it is often a sign that the crypto market is once again accepting the idea of ​​“pay to see”.

The contrast is striking with the end of 2025. CoinMarketCap summarized a weakened sector, with capitalization falling to around 38 billion and volumes in marked decline. The current rebound therefore looks less like a simple technical burst than a change of posture.

Another detail that matters: the movement is not limited to a micro-niche. CoinGecko, for its part, displays a much larger “meme” market, around $51.7 billion and more than 8.5 billion in volume over 24 hours. This suggests widespread participation, even if the figures vary depending on the perimeter.

DOGE, SHIB, PEPE: the trio that lights up the screen

Dogecoin and Shiba Inu often act as a gateway. They have the liquidity, the recognition, and the ability to become “trendy” again in one day. In the recent sequence, they have chained double-digit gains, while Pepe was even more explosive.

The crypto Pepe, in fact, illustrates a classic phenomenon: when the crowd returns, it also looks for more nervous profiles. Tokens with simple and community storytelling become accelerators. They don’t need a grand macroeconomic narrative. They need attention, and attention is a fickle currency.

The derivatives market adds a layer. There is renewed activity on the positions and volumes side. When open interest becomes tense, movements tend to gain strength, sometimes too quickly.

The psychological trigger after Christmas, and the annoying mechanics

There is a calendar detail that comes up in several analyses: the post-Christmas period. Santiment spoke of a crypto rebound starting shortly after a peak in “FUD” among individuals. It's a known pattern: when the atmosphere becomes unbearable, the market sometimes finds an excuse to do the opposite.

It's not magic, it's microstructure. In fear phases, liquidity becomes scarce, weak hands come out, and the slightest spark can trigger a brutal rotation. Memecoins often take advantage of this void, because they move fast and attract followers.

Even the overall mood seems less gloomy. Several sources indicate that CoinMarketCap's “Crypto Fear & Greed” index has returned to the neutral zone around 40, a level which contrasts with the weeks of fear. It's not a green light, more a thermometer rising.

When memecoins boom, capital doesn't always stay in one place. One party quickly looks for other pockets of yield. This is where the word “altseason” comes up, sometimes too early, but rarely by chance.