SHIB Launches Hack Repayment Plan Amid Bearish Market Pressures

• Shiba Inu has introduced the 'Shib Owes You' (SOU) framework to repay victims of the Plasma Bridge hack using transferable Ethereum NFTs according to the report.
• SHIB has declined 66.2% year-to-date through 2025, marking one of its worst annual performances since 2021 according to data.
• Recent on-chain data shows reduced exchange supply but deterioration in key metrics like social dominance and token burns according to on-chain analysis.
• Potential catalysts include regulatory clarity via the CLARITY Act and Shibarium's technological upgrades according to market analysis.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) enters 2026 at a pivotal juncture, trading near $0.0000072 amid extreme bearish sentiment. The token faces its fifth consecutive session of declines while introducing the innovative 'Shib Owes You' mechanism to address unresolved losses from the Plasma Bridge hack.

Market metrics reveal a Fear & Greed Index reading of 17 and RSI at 34.57, signaling sustained pressure. These dynamics present critical challenges and potential inflection points for the meme coin.

What Is Shiba Inu's 'Shib Owes You' Plan for Hack Victims?

The SOU framework converts verified claims from the 2025 Plasma Bridge incident into Ethereum-based NFTs that record owed amounts. These tokens update in real-time as repayments occur and remain transferable via marketplaces. Users can merge multiple affected wallets into a single token or split claims as needed. Funding comes from strict cost controls across Shiba Inu's ecosystem projects plus future licensing revenue.

Smart contracts have undergone security audits, though the platform remains unreleased. The Plasma Bridge now features enhanced safeguards like hardware-based custody and week-long withdrawal delays. This approach addresses a critical community concern while establishing transparent on-chain settlement. Investors should avoid third-party sites claiming early SOU access during the pre-launch phase.

Why Is SHIB Struggling in the Current Market?

SHIB has dropped 66.2% year-to-date through 2025, with nine monthly losses contributing to a bearish trajectory. Quarterly declines included 38.9% in Q4 alone, erasing earlier modest gains. The token now trades approximately 66% below its 2024 peak value according to market data. On-chain fundamentals show deterioration with yearly lows in social dominance and stalled token burns that previously supported price appreciation according to on-chain analysis.

Recent data indicates 200 billion SHIB leaving exchanges within 24 hours, reducing exchange supply to 81 trillion tokens. Holder growth continues with 70,000 new addresses joining annually. Derivatives markets reveal increased downside positioning as retail enthusiasm diminishes. That structural support contrasts with weakening technical indicators as SHIB tests critical support near $0.000006 according to market analysis.

What Catalysts Could Influence SHIB in 2026?

The CLARITY Act's regulatory framework might attract institutional interest if passed. Shibarium's roadmap includes privacy enhancements that could differentiate SHIB competitively. ETF inclusion possibilities and the SOU repayment plan's execution offer additional potential upside triggers according to market analysis. These developments could counter persistent macroeconomic headwinds like inflation and monetary tightening.

Technically, SHIB consolidates near key resistance with notably thin order books overhead. Selling pressure has reduced while demand emerges consistently near current levels. The token's compressed trading range since September 2025 suggests potential for directional moves. Still, broader crypto faces bearish technical patterns including Bitcoin's weekly rising wedge formation according to technical analysis.