Are Solana Meme Coins Making a Strong Return in Q1 2026?

As the meme coin market gradually rebounds after a prolonged lull, Pump.fun (PUMP) has posted an impressive volume milestone. This development is widely viewed as a sign that demand for Solana-based meme coins may continue to rise.

Despite concerns from many experts that meme coins are dead, a revival in Solana meme coins could add new momentum to the crypto market narrative in 2026.

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Pump.fun Sets Multiple Records in Early 2026, Sparking a New Wave of Solana Meme Coins

According to DefiLlama data, Pump.fun’s daily DEX trading volume has reached an all-time high of $2 billion. This marks the highest level ever recorded.

Analysts explain that this record reflects a sharp increase in meme coin trading activity on Solana, as Pump.fun remains the leading meme coin launchpad on the network.

At the same time, Pump.fun has surpassed HumidiFi and Raydium to become the second-largest DEX on Solana, trailing only Meteora.

Additionally, data from Dune indicates that the number of tokens “graduating” daily from Solana meme coin launch platforms has reached a three-month high. Pump.fun continues to account for the majority of these graduated tokens.

When a new token is created on Pump.fun, it starts with limited liquidity. Once the token meets certain criteria—usually trading volume, number of buyers, or liquidity thresholds—it becomes “graduated.” This means it moves into an official status with liquidity pools on Solana DEXs.

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A higher number of graduating tokens reflects renewed liquidity inflows. This trend suggests that retail investors are returning, seeking high-return narratives driven by the volatility of meme coins.

Solana Meme Coins Show Signs of Revival

Overall, the total market capitalization of Solana meme coins has increased from $5.1 billion to nearly $6.7 billion since the start of the year, according to data from Kraken and CoinGecko. During the same period, daily trading volume surged from $850 million to over $2.57 billion.

Several recent events have drawn increased attention from retail investors to Solana meme coins. For example, the LAMB token launched by Younghoon Kim—who claims an IQ of 276—has seen strong demand.

Meanwhile, the White Whale token was listed on Bybit, a tier-1 exchange, just 30 days after the project was taken over.

A recent report from BeInCrypto also highlights signs that retail interest in meme coins is returning in early 2026.

However, many analysts warn about the growing market polarization that accompanies a K-shaped recovery. Tokens with genuine utility are expected to endure, while those lacking fundamental value may eventually fade away.