Pepe approaches Shiba Inu, this time the Meme coin throne is really about to change hands

The competitive landscape of the Meme coin sector is undergoing subtle changes. With Pepe’s recent strong surge, this “frog” coin is approaching Shiba Inu, which has long maintained the second-largest position among Meme coins. Analyst Y00thereum recently stated that, at the current pace, Pepe is expected to surpass Shiba Inu before April 20, 2026. This prediction has reignited market discussions about changes in Meme coin rankings.

Market Cap Gap Behind the Surge

In terms of percentage gains, Pepe has indeed performed more aggressively. According to data, PEPE increased by over 60% last week, while SHIB’s gain during the same period was only about 22%. This noticeable difference in performance reflects that Pepe’s current capital inflow and market momentum are indeed stronger.

However, when looking at absolute market cap, the gap remains significant. As of recent, Shiba Inu’s market cap is approximately $5.1 billion, while Pepe’s is about $2.9 billion. To achieve parity in market cap, PEPE still needs to increase by roughly 1.8 times. Based on analyst estimates, if PEPE’s price rises to $0.00001266, its market cap would approach $5.3 billion, roughly comparable to SHIB.

Support for the Resurgence of Meme Sector Popularity

This round of competition is not isolated. The entire Meme coin sector is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. According to the latest news, the Meme sector has increased by 6.74% over the past 24 hours, with a market cap reaching $47.75 billion. In this rally, coins like PEPE and BONK led the gains, rising by 17% and 14% respectively, becoming the best performers in the sector.

This overall sector warming provides nutrients for Pepe’s continued rise. Expectations of loose liquidity, strengthened community consensus, and technical breakthroughs are all driving continuous capital inflows.

Historical background: SHIB’s resilience

However, Shiba Inu’s long-term advantage should not be overlooked. Since 2021, SHIB has consistently held the second-largest Meme coin position, repeatedly maintaining its ranking in competition. Even when it was briefly surpassed by emerging Meme coins in early 2025, SHIB quickly regained its leading position. Previously, several analysts predicted that Pepe would replace SHIB, but none succeeded. This demonstrates that SHIB has a solid community foundation and market recognition.

Evaluation of the possibility of overtaking

Is it really possible to complete the overtaking before April 20? From a mathematical perspective, it is not out of reach. If PEPE maintains its current upward momentum, a 1.8x increase within 3.5 months is possible. Supporters believe that as community enthusiasm, trading volume, and social discussion levels rise simultaneously, Pepe is in a critical window.

However, real-world variables are more complex. Meme coin markets often exhibit phase-based explosive features. Once capital floods in, rankings can change in a short period. Conversely, when enthusiasm wanes, the market can quickly fall back. SHIB has been predicted multiple times to be overtaken but has always held its position, which itself illustrates the uncertainty in the Meme coin market.

Summary

Pepe’s strong surge is indeed noteworthy, but claiming it will definitely surpass SHIB before April is premature. The current difference in gains mainly reflects short-term capital flows and market heat, not long-term competitiveness.

There are two key points: first, whether Pepe can sustain its current upward momentum; second, whether the overall Meme sector’s popularity can continue. If both can be maintained, overtaking is indeed possible. But if it’s just a fleeting rebound, the probability of SHIB holding its ranking is higher. For investors, paying attention to the evolution of this competition is more important than betting on the outcome of one side.