The memecoin market crash saw the sector’s market capitalization fall from $72B to $44B in a single day, a nearly 40% plunge, before a partial rebound to about $57B; top memecoins including DOGE, SHIB and PEPE posted double-digit weekly losses. (Source: CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko)
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Memecoin market cap plunged ~40% in one day, falling to $44 billion.
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Top 10 memecoins represent ~82% of the sector (~$47 billion) and traded mostly in the red.
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Other sectors stabilized faster: NFTs recovered ~10% the next day and Bitcoin/Ether ETF inflows resumed (BTC ETFs: $102M; ETH ETFs: $236M).
Memecoin market crash: sector cap plunged nearly 40% to $44B before partial rebound to $57B—track top token losses and recovery signals with COINOTAG coverage.
By COINOTAG — Published: 2025-10-16 • Updated: 2025-10-16
What is the memecoin market crash?
The memecoin market crash refers to a sudden, concentrated sell-off in meme-based tokens that drove the sector’s market capitalization from about $72 billion to a low of $44 billion in 24 hours, per CoinMarketCap. The sector partially recovered to roughly $57 billion as traders reassessed positions.
The memecoin sector’s market capitalization fell to levels last seen in July after a sharp one-day decline. CoinMarketCap data recorded the low at $44 billion on Saturday, down from $72 billion the previous day, and a partial recovery to $53 billion on Sunday. At the time of reporting, the sector hovered near $57 billion.
Memecoin market cap’s seven-day chart. Source: CoinMarketCap
How did top memecoins perform during the sell-off?
The top memecoins were hit broadly. CoinMarketCap shows the top 10 memecoins accounted for roughly $47 billion, or about 82% of the sector’s total market capitalization at the time of reporting. Major tokens—Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Pepe (PEPE)—posted weekly losses ranging from 13% to 22%.
Other leading memecoins also declined: Bonk (BONK) and Floki (FLOKI) each fell more than 20% over the week. Even novelty or celebrity-linked tokens were affected; one presidential-themed memecoin declined roughly 20% on weekly charts. These losses underscore concentrated retail exposure and rapid sentiment shifts within the memecoin cohort.
Top memecoins down by double-digit percentages. Source: CoinMarketCap
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the memecoin market cap fall nearly 40% in one day?
The immediate decline reflected a rapid sell-off in high‑beta, retail‑driven tokens after a broader market shock. CoinMarketCap recorded the sector drop from $72B to $44B in a day. Liquidity constraints and concentrated holdings in top memecoins likely amplified price moves.
How quickly did other crypto sectors recover after the crash?
Other sectors stabilized faster: NFTs erased about $1.2 billion (roughly a 20% decline) during the sell-off and then regained approximately 10% the next day. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $102 million and Ether ETFs reported $236 million in net inflows shortly after, per fund flow tallies and exchange reports.
Key Takeaways
- Magnitude of the decline: The memecoin sector fell from ~$72B to $44B in 24 hours, a near 40% intraday contraction (CoinMarketCap).
- Concentrated exposure: Top 10 memecoins made up ~82% of the sector (~$47B), amplifying systemic moves when those tokens sold off.
- Broader market context: NFTs and ETFs showed quicker stabilization; ETF inflows resumed with measurable net additions to BTC and ETH products, signaling differentiated recovery dynamics across crypto subsectors.
Conclusion
The recent memecoin market crash highlighted the volatility inherent in meme-driven tokens and the concentration of sector market capitalization in a small group of assets. While the sector partially recovered from a $44 billion trough to about $57 billion, memecoin prices remain below recent highs. Investors should monitor liquidity metrics, fund flow reports, and on‑chain signals from sources such as CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko for evolving market conditions. COINOTAG will continue to track developments and publish updates as new official data and fund filings become available.
Sources (plain text): CoinMarketCap; CoinGecko; spot ETF flow reports and fund filings; market commentary and sector data as of 2025-10-16.
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