04/12/2026
Meme Tokens Drive Market Momentum with PEPE Surging 67%
The global crypto market cap reached $3.
What happened: The global crypto market cap reached $3.16 trillion (+1.5%) with meme tokens leading gains. PEPE jumped 67% while Virtuals Protocol gained 24% and Render Network climbed 17%. Major tokens showed modest gains with Bitcoin at $93,000 (+2%) and Ethereum at $3,175 (+1%) according to the report.
Why it matters: The outsized performance of meme tokens and AI-related cryptocurrencies suggests retail interest remains concentrated in higher-risk, narrative-driven assets. This pattern often indicates market rotation away from blue-chip crypto assets toward more speculative plays, potentially signaling a shift in market sentiment.
Source: Decrypt