DOGE and PEPE Rally Sparks Memecoin Resurgence Despite Risks

• Memecoins added $8 billion in market capitalization during early 2026, reversing 2025 losses according to analysis.
• PEPE surged 65% while DOGE gained 20%, signaling renewed retail engagement according to reports.
• Analysts caution the rally could fade with shifting market conditions due to volatility according to market analysis.
• Phishing scams targeting crypto wallets intensified recently, including fake MetaMask alerts according to security warnings.

Dogecoin (DOGE) and Pepe (PEPE) spearheaded a memecoin resurgence this week, adding $8 billion in sector market cap according to market data. Double-digit gains suggest retail investors are returning amid growing social media activity. That said, experts warn the momentum could prove temporary if trading volumes decline according to analysis. Security risks also escalated with new phishing campaigns targeting crypto holders.

Why Are Memecoins Surging in Early 2026?

Memecoins rebounded sharply in early 2026 after posting losses throughout 2025. PEPE led the charge with a 65% jump, while DOGE climbed 20% and SHIB rose 18.9% according to data. On-chain data shows increased accumulation across tokens like BONK and FLOKI, indicating speculative positioning. Retail interest appears driven by social media buzz and fear of missing out on potential gains according to market analysis. Stable Bitcoin performance could extend the rally into Q1, though macroeconomic pressures remain a concern according to forecasts.

What Security Threats Should Memecoin Investors Monitor?

New phishing scams threaten memecoin holders. Fraudsters are impersonating MetaMask Support with urgent fake upgrade alerts according to security reports. These emails redirect victims to malicious sites that harvest wallet credentials and recovery phrases. SlowMist researchers confirmed attackers drained hundreds of wallets via fake contract approvals according to security findings. MetaMask emphasizes it never initiates unsolicited verification requests by email. Investors should scrutinize sender addresses and revoke unused token permissions routinely according to security guidance.

Which New Memecoins Are Drawing Investor Interest?

BEEG, a Sui-based meme token, draws comparisons to PEPE's historic growth after its fair launch according to analysis. With no team allocation and a $250K market cap, analysts project 30-500% upside potential this year according to projections. Similarly, Pepenode attracts attention for integrating AI tools with NFT interoperability according to investor reports. Its structured tokenomics allocate 20% to presale buyers and 25% to ecosystem incentives. Note both tokens carry high volatility typical of early-stage crypto projects according to market analysis.