Will Meme Tokens Lead or Lag From Here?

Are Shiba Inu (CRYPTO:SHIB) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO:DOGE) two meme tokens investors should consider right now or watch from the sidelines?

| More on:

Meme everything is coming back to life. Whether it’s meme stocks or meme tokens, investors have certainly seen some rather impressive moves among the most speculative assets of late.

In the cryptocurrency world, already higher levels of volatility make for even more dramatic moves. Accordingly, meme investors looking for life-changing returns often look to these assets first. Whether it’s Shiba Inu (CRYPTO:SHIB) or Dogecoin (CRYPTO:DOGE), these top dog-inspired digital tokens are once again front and centre in the discussion among many speculators and traders.

The question is, are these meme tokens worth a look at these levels? And where will momentum ultimately take cryptos in the short term?

Let’s dive in.

Top meme tokens: Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu is a meme token that’s led the way in terms of returns over the past year. Shooting millions of percent higher from its launch value, this token has been perhaps one of the most incredible speculative bets we’ve seen in a long time.

Critics state that Shiba Inu does not create any real value. The lack of projects on this ecosystem certainly drives this point home. That said, for meme tokens, it’s less about the utility these networks create than the community underpinning these projects. Accordingly, Shiba Inu’s massive community provides credence to bulls who believe this token is the next big thing.

Recent token burns have driven interest in Shiba Inu in a big way. That said, this token is still inflationary after this burning process. For now, I think Shiba Inu remains a speculator’s best friend. Thus, those looking to bet on the directional move of the crypto market have a trading vehicle to do so.

Dogecoin

Perhaps the “grand-dog” of the meme token world, Dogecoin has been around since 2013. This token has been widely viewed as the father of the meme token movement and has seen its community grow to impressive levels, like its cousin meme token Shiba Inu.

Initially created as a joke, Dogecoin has surged in value for a number of reasons. Unlike Shiba Inu, there are real world use cases for this token. High-profile celebrity CEOs such as Elon Musk have also bought into the hype, pumping this token on a number of occasions.

Now, buying anything just because someone else is isn’t really an investment strategy. That said, the community behind Dogecoin continues to believe in the developer interest in projects happening on this network. Like Shiba Inu, there’s more to be done to see real utility created with Dogecoin. But for now, this token is among the more stable meme tokens out there.

Both Shiba Inu and Dogecoin represent highly speculative bets right now. Those with aggressive risk tolerance preferences may see fit to add some to their portfolio. That said, I remain comfortably on the sidelines with these two meme tokens right now.

Fool contributor Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Investing

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Monday, January 19

The TSX ended last week at a new all-time high on energy-led gains as investors today focus on record metals…

Read more »

man looks surprised at investment growth
Investing

My Biggest Investing Regret in 2025 Was Not Buying This Stock

Not buying this top-performing TSX stock was one of my biggest regrets in 2025. Here's why it could continue to…

Read more »

dividend stocks are a good way to earn passive income
Tech Stocks

Undervalued Canadian Stocks to Buy Now

Take a look at two undervalued Canadian stocks that are likely to provide strong shareholder returns in the next few…

Read more »

open vault at bank
Bank Stocks

What to Know About Canadian Banks Stocks for 2026

Canadian big bank stocks are lower-risk options in 2026 amid heightened geopolitical risks and continuing trade tensions.

Read more »

Person holds banknotes of Canadian dollars
Dividend Stocks

My 3 Favourite Stocks for Monthly Passive Income

Backed by healthy cash flows, compelling yields, and solid growth prospects, these three monthly paying dividend stocks are well-positioned to…

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Average Canadian TFSA at Age 50

Canadians should aim to maximize their TFSA contributions every year and selectively invest in assets that have long-term growth potential.

Read more »

how to save money
Dividend Stocks

Here’s Where I’m Investing My Next $2,500 on the TSX

A $2,500 investment in a dividend knight and safe-haven stock can create a balanced foundation to counter market headwinds in…

Read more »

rising arrow with flames
Stocks for Beginners

2 Canadian Stocks Supercharged to Surge in 2026

Two Canadian stocks look positioned for a 2026 “restart,” with real catalysts beyond January seasonality.

Read more »