Spurred by 'BSC Foundation Buy-In' News, Meme Coins 'Hakimi' and 'Laozi' Experience Brief Rally of Over 20%

Meme coins 'Hakimi' and 'Laozi' saw a brief but sharp rally on January 10, 2026, with prices rising more than 20% after news of a potential buy-in by the BSC Foundation surfaced according to reports. This surge placed the tokens among the week's top performers in the memecoin sector. The rally did not extend beyond the initial hours, however, as volatility remained a defining feature of the market.

The movement follows a broader trend of memecoins attracting renewed interest at the start of 2026. Assets like PEPE and BONK have also seen significant gains, signaling a possible shift in capital flow within the crypto space. The BSC Foundation's involvement appears to have added a new layer of optimism for investors targeting these niche projects.

Despite the short-lived price boost, the rally highlights how market sentiment can quickly shift in the crypto space, especially around lower-market-cap assets. Analysts have noted that such moves are often driven by community-driven sentiment and social media momentum, rather than fundamental value.

Why Did This Happen?

The rally in 'Hakimi' and 'Laozi' was fueled by news of the BSC Foundation's buy-in, which many interpreted as a sign of institutional interest in the memecoin sector according to reports. This kind of news can create a cascading effect in markets where speculative activity is high. The BSC ecosystem has seen a number of memecoins gain traction in recent weeks, including BROCCOLI and 4 (FOUR), which also experienced strong price movements according to reports.

The broader memecoin narrative has been bolstered by the continued performance of well-known tokens like PEPE and BONK. Both have posted significant gains in early January, with PEPE surging roughly 70%. These movements suggest that capital is rotating from more traditional crypto assets into high-beta, sentiment-driven sectors.

How Did Markets Respond?

While the rally in 'Hakimi' and 'Laozi' was notable, it did not translate into a broader bullish trend across the crypto market. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) remained in a sideways pattern, with Bitcoin trading at approximately $90,595 and Ethereum at $3,088 as of January 10. This indicates that while memecoins are attracting attention, they have not yet driven a wider market turnaround.

The market response also varied across ecosystems. While BSC and Ethereum-based memecoins saw strong performances, others on Solana and Base also experienced notable gains. For example, PONKE on Solana climbed 104% in the week leading up to January 10, and BRETT on Base rose 43% according to reports. This suggests that the memecoin narrative is gaining momentum across multiple chains.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring how the memecoin rally sustains itself in the coming weeks. A key concern is whether the current price action reflects genuine market confidence or is driven by short-term liquidity and positioning according to analysis. The volatility of memecoins makes it difficult to predict long-term outcomes, but some see the rally as an early sign of a potential Q1 recovery.

Regulatory clarity and macroeconomic conditions will also play a role in determining the trajectory of memecoins. With U.S. Treasury officials downplaying the risk of a Trump-era tariff refund shock, some investors may feel more comfortable reallocating capital into high-growth crypto assets. However, others remain cautious, particularly given the history of speculative bubbles in the memecoin space.

The performance of 'Hakimi' and 'Laozi' underscores the unpredictable nature of the crypto market. While the rally was driven by a specific news event, the broader picture remains one of high volatility and mixed investor sentiment. As the year progresses, the market will likely continue to test the limits of these assets' appeal.