Are we in for a new meme coin mania? Here’s what to expect

In the overcrowded and increasingly competitive crypto market, meme coins have managed to secure a spot in the limelight and become notable players in the industry. This is not only due to their unique and humorous nature and their astonishing ascension that no one saw coming, given their fickle foundation, but also thanks to their ability to bounce back when everyone thought they were on the brink of extinction.

Despite their lack of intrinsic value and volatile behavior, meme coins have developed into a distinct crypto category that still attracts a fair share of attention. Since Dogecoin, the first meme coin, was created in 2013, we’ve witnessed the meme coin craze take over the crypto space several times, with each surge reinforcing their standing in the market.

As we look into the future, many seem to believe that meme coins are getting ready for a new bull run that could once again bring their potential for high returns to investors’ attention. But is this optimistic outlook justified, or is it just wishful thinking? Could the Pepe coin price prediction for 2030 shed some light on the matter? Even with all the data that we have available at the moment, it’s still difficult to tell how meme coins might perform in the long run. However, if meme coins are indeed approaching a new rally, these are the assets that you should be keeping an eye on.

Dogecoin

As the first and oldest crypto of its kind, Dogecoin continues to lead the meme coin faction unbothered, with a market cap of $61.48B and year-to-date (YTD) gains of 366% at the time of writing. Dogecoin has been in the market for over a decade, so unlike its successors, it has plenty of time to demonstrate its resilience and strength and, therefore, compensate for not bringing any technological innovations or having real-world applications like other types of digital currencies.

Based entirely on the thriving digital culture and the support of a large and active online community, Dogecoin has seen a massive increase in value following the endorsement of influential figures like Elon Musk, Snoop Dog, and Mark Cuban. This combination of factors has helped Dogecoin establish itself as a reputable crypto asset, so if there’s one meme coin that has a good chance of going on a winning streak in 2025, Dogecoin is the one. With the asset being already on an upward trend over the past few months, it would make perfect sense for it to continue on a similar note in the upcoming year and appreciate further.

Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu may have started as a Dogecoin copycat, with obvious similarities stemming from their common canine-inspired iconography, this meme coin eventually carved its own path in the crypto market, differentiating itself from its predecessor. At press time, this Ethereum -based token boasted a market cap of $17.27B and year-to-date gains of 183%, being the second-largest meme coin after Doge.

The project was launched in August 2020, so there’s less historical data about SHIB that could help experts draw predictions for the future. However, if appreciation forecasts for Dogecoin materialize, it stands to reason that Shiba Inu might also experience significant growth as a result. Just like Doge, SHIB has been in the green for most of the year, and the most optimistic of predictions see the asset surpassing the $1 threshold in 2025.

Pepe

Established in May 2023, the Pepe coin is part of the new generation of meme coins that benefit from and build on the legacy of older assets like Doge and Shina Inu. However, this doesn’t mean that PEPE owes its popularity entirely to its forerunners. The project capitalizes on the popularity of Pepe the Frog, one of the most well-known memes on the internet, and stands out thanks to its no-tax policy, the redistribution system that serves as an incentive for long-term token holders, and a burning mechanism that maintains its scarcity and turns it into a deflationary cryptocurrency.

While PEPE’s value is significantly lower compared to that of other coins, ranking 16^th in the crypto hierarchy, and forecasts for 2025 vary from one source to another, the possibility of a major price increase is not unlikely. Pepe coin already demonstrated its potential when it appreciated by 9000% over the course of a few months, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see it repeat this performance in 2025, if market conditions are favorable.

Following in Bitcoin’s footsteps

Bitcoin is, without a doubt, the biggest winner of 2024, having broken one record after another in the final months of the year. With a trading price of $100,666 at press time and a market cap of $1,992.64B, Bitcoin started to rally following the results of the US presidential elections, going above the 100K mark.

However, Bitcoin is not the only crypto that could benefit from this wave of crypto euphoria that has been taking shape over the past weeks. As is usually the case, the rising tide that’s been lifting Bitcoin to new highs might also benefit other crypto categories, including meme coins. As the market is abuzz with talks of crypto-friendly regulations and prospects for a stronger crypto economy that could bring crypto assets closer to the mainstream, this could mark the beginning of a new era for meme coins as well.

Although the possibility of a new meme coin supercycle shaping on the horizon and reigniting interest in these assets is not to be ignored, traders and investors should also keep in mind that this crypto niche presents specific risks since it’s largely influenced by fleeting online trends. Therefore, extra caution and careful research are recommended when dealing with meme coins, whether it’s Doge, Shiba Inu, Pepe, or any other token in this category.

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Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com