Some OG Memecoin and Meme Token Prices Rebound, PEPE and NEIRO Surge Over 20%

Meme coin prices have seen a modest rebound in the early days of 2026. Some of the original (OG) tokens, including PEPE and NEIRO, have surged more than 20% in the past 24 hours. This follows a year marked by sharp volatility and declining interest in the sector.

The surge in PEPE and other established meme coins contrasts with the broader market dynamics of 2025. That year saw the sector shrink from a peak of $130 billion to about $42 billion by December. A flood of new tokens and fading attention contributed to the decline.

Investor activity has returned to certain tokens in early 2026, but it remains unclear if this is a sustained turnaround or a short-term bounce. For example, PEPE's price rose to $0.00000488, a 20.49% increase, while NEIRO gained 20.64% to $0.0001238.

What Caused the Recent Price Recovery?

The rebound appears to stem from renewed short-term interest rather than fundamental changes in the market. Data from HTX shows increased trading in some of the earliest meme coins. These tokens have outperformed the broader crypto market, which remains in a consolidation phase.

One reason for the rebound could be a shift in trading behavior. The 2025 market correction taught traders to be more selective. With fewer tokens dominating the headlines, some OG meme coins have seen renewed activity.

What Does the 2025 Correction Mean for 2026?

The 2025 market correction was driven by oversupply and declining demand. More than 13 million new meme coins were created in 2025, overwhelming existing platforms and diluting attention. By year-end, the sector had lost nearly two-thirds of its value according to analysis.

Despite the collapse, some tokens like Toshi (TOSHI) managed to gain 130% in 2025. However, most meme coins failed to maintain value, with 90% experiencing double-digit losses over a nine-month stretch. The sector remains highly speculative, with success hinging on timing and community momentum.

What Are Investors Watching in Early 2026?

Traders are monitoring whether the early 2026 gains in meme coins are sustainable. PEPE, for instance, is now trading near key support levels, with some analysts suggesting a potential 24x expansion in market cap according to market analysis. However, most market watchers remain cautious.

While technical indicators for PEPE and SHIB show some optimism, broader trends remain bearish. The relative strength of meme coins against Bitcoin and Ethereum has improved slightly, but dollar-denominated gains remain fragile.

Regulatory clarity also remains a wildcard. In February 2025, the SEC clarified that most meme coins were not securities, which reduced legal uncertainty. However, that had little impact on long-term trends.

Looking ahead, meme coins will likely continue to be driven by short-term narratives rather than onchain utility. The lessons of 2025 suggest that success in this space remains highly contingent on timing and audience engagement.

The early 2026 rebound is a reminder that meme coins can still move quickly. But with more than 13 million tokens in existence and thin liquidity for most, the path to sustained success remains narrow.