Shiba Inu Stijgt 48% In Januari – Begin Van Meme Coin Season 2026?

Shiba Inu (SHIB) rose over 48% in January 2026, continuing a broader rally in meme coins. The token’s gains mirrored those of other popular memecoins like Dogecoin and Bonk, which also saw double-digit increases. The rebound suggests renewed investor appetite for speculative assets after a weak holiday period.

The memecoin market has surged in value, with total market capitalization increasing by 23% since late December 2025. Trading volume spiked over 300%, reaching $8.7 billion on January 5, according to CoinMarketCap. This reflects a return of risk-taking behavior among traders.

Key metrics show SHIB remains highly concentrated in major wallets. The top 10 holders control nearly 63% of the supply, with the largest holding over 41% of all SHIB. This level of concentration can contribute to sharp price movements when large holders act.

Why Did This Move Happen?

The rally in meme coins followed a period of heightened FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) among retail traders in late 2025. According to Santiment, this sentiment peaked just after Christmas, triggering a rebound in speculative assets.

Bitcoin and Ethereum’s relative stability created a backdrop for riskier assets like meme coins to attract capital. Investors rotated funds into higher-beta tokens, including SHIB, Dogecoin, and Pepe. The move aligns with historical patterns where meme coin dominance rises after hitting historical lows.

Shiba Inu’s ecosystem also saw developments that may have driven interest. Increased SHIB burn activity in late 2025 and early 2026 contributed to deflationary pressure, potentially supporting price.

How Did Markets Respond?

SHIB’s price reached above $0.0000093 by early January, marking a 13% gain on a single day. The token has risen 32% year-to-date, with weekly gains of 17.3%. Despite a small retracement, SHIB remains near key resistance levels.

The broader memecoin sector responded positively. Dogecoin and Pepe recorded gains of 20% and 65%, respectively, reinforcing the trend. Solana-based tokens like Bonk and WhiteWhale also surged, with the latter crossing $100 million in market cap after a 50x rally.

Traders noted the pattern resembled the 2021 memecoin boom. The last time memecoin dominance dropped to 3.2%, it was followed by a sharp rebound. Some analysts predict a similar outcome in early 2026.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are tracking SHIB’s ability to maintain momentum above critical price levels. A sustained move above $0.000008 would confirm a breakout, with the next target at $0.000011. On-chain data shows whales have paused aggressive selling, signaling potential trend exhaustion.

CryptoQuant highlighted that the memecoin dominance ratio rebounded from 0.032 to 0.04 in early 2026. This suggests capital is returning to the sector after weeks of decline, but caution remains due to the fast-moving nature of meme cycles.

Retail participation remains a key driver. Emerging markets account for 38% of meme coin interest, with the U.S. leading at 30%. Analysts expect continued retail-driven growth if social sentiment and trading volume remain strong.

Investors are also watching Bitcoin and Ethereum for signs of broader market stability. If the leading cryptocurrencies maintain their current levels, meme coins could continue to attract capital rotation.