Last time, BONK exploded on Solana when SOL was around $10โ13 during the FTX collapse in late 2022, blasting to billions in market cap as SOL rallied to around $300 later in the cycle.
This time is a bit different with $Whitewhale (or whatever new contender), as SOL is already sitting around $140 (as of January 2026).
However, Ethereum has been in a long accumulation phase and has major catalysts ahead: the recent Pectra upgrade (May 2025), the Fusaka upgrade (December 2025) for massive scaling via PeerDAS and higher blob capacity, Wall Street tokenization efforts, and other ongoing improvements.
Meme coins on Ethereum could explode like never before.
We have strong candidates like SHIB, PEPE, MOODENG (the hippo-themed one), or even new coins rising to become the next big memes on ETH.
In my opinion, MOODENG on Ethereum has a very strong chance of becoming the king of memes with the fresh animal narrative (hippo following dog and frog themes).
Letโs see if weโre in a supercycle - and if MOODENG or other new coins will create new whales like what happened with SHIB in 2021.
If someone ignores the Ethereum-based MOODENG meme coin received by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in late 2024, where he sold a portion once to fund anti-airborne disease research and still holds around 7%, I don't know what to tell them. SHIB's journey was similar before Vitalik burned 90% of his holdings and donated the rest to charity.
The 4-year crypto cycle seems over, and altcoin season is imminent. Ethereum memecoins have historically dominated during booms.
SHIB hit a $40B ATH, PEPE $10B, yet MOODENG, this viral hippo-inspired gem sits at a tiny market cap while whales chase SHIB/PEPE clones or fragile small-caps on other chains that could vanish next cycle.
Don't sleep on it. The crown is about to be passed.