Memecoin Market Update: Volume Shrinks Further as Volatility Hits Hard
The memecoin market is experiencing a classic weekend cooldown, with trading volume dipping by another 13% to just $7.59 billion. Meanwhile, overall memecoin market capitalization slid by 3.86%, now standing at $65.07 billion. With uncertainty rising and liquidity thinning, traders are treading carefully as volatility spikes across the board.
Large Caps Slide, Again
Major memecoins continue their downward drift, with most large-cap tokens reporting modest to significant losses:
$DOGE: -3.0%
$SHIB: -2.6%
$PEPE: -4.0%
$TRUMP: -0.8%
$BONK: -6.0%
None of the large caps managed to break the slump today. With volume evaporating, price action across the top-tier memecoins has become lethargic, lacking the firepower needed to push in either direction. The market seems to be waiting—for a catalyst, a narrative, or simply a volume return.
Small Caps Still Moving
While blue-chip memecoins bleed out slowly, small-cap names continue to be playgrounds for volatility and speculation. Today’s top gainers are all lesser-known tokens:
$MOONPIG: +25%
$KEYCAT: +8.3%
$MICHI: +6.0%
These surges are occurring on relatively low liquidity, often driven by isolated community pushes or short-term speculative momentum. Traders should approach with caution, especially in a market climate where sustained volume is becoming rare.
$KEKIUS: From Hero to Zero?
Yesterday’s breakout star, $KEKIUS, which had soared to the top of the gainers list following Elon Musk’s name change to “Kekius Maximus,” is now leading the losers’ board with a harsh -20% correction.
This sharp pullback is a reminder of the fragile nature of meme-driven rallies—what pumps 100% in one session can easily retrace the next day. Whether the Elon effect is fading or simply taking a pause remains to be seen, but $KEKIUS has certainly given up a big chunk of its recent gains.
Other notable losers include:
$VADER: -16%
$RETARDIO: -13%
These moves reinforce the fact that small caps are seeing both sides of the volatility coin, and without strong narratives or catalysts, many are fading as fast as they rise.
The Weekend Effect
Volume is draining from the memecoin market daily, and this weekend is no exception. The ongoing cooldown isn’t just technical—it’s behavioral. Many retail traders step away from the screen during weekends, and without fresh liquidity or major market-moving news, memecoins often drift or collapse.
While some traders see this environment as an opportunity to scoop up discounted positions, others are choosing to sit on the sidelines. Overtrading in low-volume environments can be dangerous—spreads widen, slippage increases, and the potential for sudden rugs or reversals multiplies.
Final Thoughts
We’re in a cautious phase of the memecoin cycle. Big caps are sluggish, volume is drying up, and small caps are whipsawing traders with aggressive swings. Patience and discipline are key. Don’t chase pumps, and stay alert for the next narrative that could spark new momentum.
Until then—tighten stops, manage risk, and maybe take a walk. The market will still be here Monday.
