BSC Meme Coins Rebound on Year of the Horse Themes as USD1 Competition Revives Market Sentiment

BSC meme coins experienced a notable rebound on January 15, with Year of the Horse-themed tokens at the forefront of the price increases. The market capitalization of low-cap meme coins surged as traders flocked to these assets. The trend was supported by on-chain monitoring data from GMGN, indicating strong trading activity in USD1 stablecoin pools.

The USD1 Trading Competition, which restarted on BNB Chain, contributed to the renewed interest in meme coins. Previously top-performing meme coins from the competition saw a surge in trading activity, with some smaller market cap tokens jumping over 300% before retracing. Analysts note that while the competition has been a historical driver of meme coin activity, the current wave may reflect broader speculative interest.

In addition to BSC, Solana-based meme coins have also seen a resurgence in trading volume and market capitalization. According to Bybit Alpha, Solana's meme sector closed in on a $6.7 billion total market cap in early 2026, with trading volume rising from $850 million to over $2.57 billion in the same period. Key tokens like BONK and WHITEPEPE have seen significant price gains in recent days.

What Drives the Meme Coin Surge?

The Year of the Horse-themed tokens are among the most recent to gain traction in the BSC ecosystem. The on-chain stablecoin pool structure has made these tokens accessible for rapid trading and speculative moves. An example is the BSC meme coin 'Anu,' whose market capitalization briefly rose above $50 million on January 15, fueled by a 37.15% 24-hour gain.

The USD1 Trading Competition, which ran earlier in 2025, is believed to have laid the foundation for this latest surge. The competition featured top BSC meme coins and offered over $1 million in USD1 prizes. With the current restart, traders are re-engaging with past competition favorites, leading to sharp price swings. Coins like 'E' and 'EGL1' have seen double-digit percentage gains, despite sharp retracements.

What Are the Risks for Investors?

Despite the recent positive momentum, market observers have raised concerns about the volatility and lack of intrinsic value in meme coin markets. The market capitalization of 'E,' for example, peaked at $1.9 million before dropping to $400,000. Analysts caution that liquidity in many meme coin pools is shallow, with 'Anu' having only $670,000 in its liquidity pool despite a $47.92 million market cap.

Bybit Alpha has also highlighted the risks associated with speculative trading. While Solana-based meme coins have seen substantial price gains, the market remains highly sensitive to sentiment shifts. Pump.fun, a popular launchpad on Solana, has seen record daily trading volumes, but the sustainability of these gains remains uncertain.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Market watchers are closely tracking the performance of Solana and BSC-based meme coins to gauge whether this resurgence is a short-term trading frenzy or a more lasting trend. BlockBeats and other industry outlets have reiterated that meme coins offer no tangible use cases and rely heavily on hype and social media activity. Investors are advised to remain cautious and to assess the risks involved in these highly speculative assets.

ETF inflows and broader crypto sentiment may also influence the meme coin space in the coming weeks. Bitcoin spot ETF inflows have reached $840 million, and Bitcoin's market dominance has risen, which could indirectly support meme coin prices. However, the overall market remains volatile, and regulatory developments could introduce additional uncertainty.

As the market capitalization of meme coins continues to fluctuate rapidly, analysts emphasize the importance of due diligence and risk management. The on-chain nature of these tokens provides transparency but also exposes traders to sharp price swings.