Memecoin Market Capitulation: A Year After $150B Peak, What's Next for DOGE, SHIB, PEPE?

The explosive memecoin boom has decisively shifted into a phase of widespread capitulation, marking one year since the sector's collective market capitalization soared to a staggering $150 billion peak. Analysis of on-chain data and trading patterns reveals that many retail investors are now selling their holdings at a loss, a classic sign of market surrender following a prolonged downturn. Leading memecoins like Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Pepe (PEPE) have seen significant retracements from their all-time highs, contributing to a broader cooling of speculative fervor in the cryptocurrency market. This capitulation event is often viewed by seasoned analysts as a potential precursor to market bottom formation, where weak hands exit and assets redistribute to stronger, long-term holders. The current landscape presents a critical juncture for evaluating the future utility and community-driven viability of memecoins beyond mere hype cycles.