As the cryptocurrency market exhibits fluctuations at the onset of 2026, meme coins have surprisingly come to the forefront. Leading this surge is Dogecoin, the oldest meme coin in the market. Despite Bitcoin’s weak start to the new year, increased trading volume in Dogecoin and similar assets indicates a renewed interest among investors. Although a cautious atmosphere prevails across the market, this activity in the meme coin sector has sparked discussions about a potential “2026 rally.”
Volume Boost and Technical Indicators in Dogecoin
According to CoinMarketCap data, Dogecoin has surged over 9% in the last 24 hours, reaching $0.1405. With this rise, DOGE’s market capitalization reached $23.63 billion, while daily trading volume increased by over 127% to $3.41 billion. The total supply exceeding 168 billion coins suggests significant buying and selling activity behind this price movement.
Another notable detail is the brisk activity in the futures market. On the first day of the year, open positions in Dogecoin futures rose by approximately 12%. CoinGlass data shows millions of DOGE were added to futures contracts within 24 hours. This suggests growing interest in leveraged trading and strengthened short-term expectations among investors.
Technical analysis also shows positive signals. In the hourly chart, the short-term moving average crossed above the long-term one, providing a “golden cross” signal known in the markets as an indicator of a bullish trend. While this crossover occurred on shorter time frames, momentum appears to be spreading swiftly.
Meme Coins Stage a Comeback
The rise in Dogecoin has impacted other meme coins as well. Shiba Inu gained around 8% in value, while newer projects like Bonk and Floki recorded near double-digit increases. This scenario indicates a renewed appetite for risk among investors in specific areas.
Parallel to these developments, another news piece reported an increase in transaction volume in Shibarium, a Layer-2 solution within the Shiba Inu ecosystem. The uptick in daily network transactions suggests that the activity may not just be speculative buying but also a sign of increased utilization. Experts emphasize that if meme coins are supported by such technical and ecosystem developments, more sustained increases could be possible.
Overall market indicators remain cautious. Although the Crypto Fear and Greed Index stays in the “Fear” zone, its slow transition towards “Neutral” is noteworthy. This shift is interpreted as a sign of diminishing market uncertainty.
Initiated by Dogecoin, this meme coin movement has injected unexpected vitality into the market at the start of 2026. While volume increase and technical signals are favorable, general market conditions remain fragile. Therefore, it is crucial for investors to prioritize risk management over short-term excitement.
