- Dogecoin gains ETF support but still struggles with a 60% yearly decline.
- SHIB gains regulatory traction and slight price momentum ahead of 2026.
- CoinCodex projects SHIB could rise 18% by November 2026 if conditions improve.
The memecoin market has been trying to claw its way back into relevance as 2025 enters its final stretch. Most of the year has been spent in lower price zones, with the broader altcoin market struggling to find steady footing. Even the giants of the space, Shiba Inu and Dogecoin, have been dealing with heavy volatility as traders wait for a clear direction. With 2026 approaching quickly, the big question now is which of the top meme tokens could be the first to break out and deliver meaningful upside.
Dogecoin and SHIB Push Through New Cycles
Dogecoin continues to hover near the $0.15 region, still down nearly 60% over the past year despite showing pockets of strength. Its newly launched DOGE ETF has been the main driver of optimism, helping the token reclaim some attention. Recent metrics show the DOGE Spot ETF pulling in net inflows of 365,420 DOGE on November 26, bringing total assets to 6.48 million and hinting at slowly improving liquidity. On the Shiba Inu side, SHIB has been picking up momentum through adoption milestones, including its addition to Japan’s green list of approved assets. At the same time, early whispers of a SHIB ETF—boosted by community lead Lucie—have kept excitement simmering.
Projecting the 2026 Leaders
According to fresh data from CoinCodex, Shiba Inu could be one of the early movers heading into 2026. Current projections pin SHIB at $0.00001026 by November 2026, marking an 18% rise from current levels if sentiment gradually recovers. The model still flags bearish signals across technical indicators and places the Fear & Greed Index at extreme fear, yet some accumulation phases tend to form during these quieter stretches. As of the latest update, SHIB has logged 12 green days out of the past 30, showing mild volatility but some hidden strength beneath the surface.
The Path Forward Into the New Year
Both Dogecoin and Shiba Inu enter 2026 with different catalysts. DOGE has the ETF narrative and a stronger connection to institutional-style products, while SHIB is pushing regulatory approvals and infrastructure upgrades. Their ability to break out next year will likely depend on whether the crypto market regains momentum—and whether memecoin enthusiasm returns after a long, corrective year. Either way, the stage is set for at least one of them to surprise traders as 2026 kicks off.
