Pudgy Penguins doubled in value, recording the strongest performance among top-tier memecoins in 3Q25.
Bonk advanced 48%, confirming significant investor interest despite overall market volatility.
Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe posted smaller gains, but still reflected steady market support for memecoins.
The memecoin market brought dynamic results in the third quarter of 2025, and the leading assets achieved dramatically different results. According to data, Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), Bonk (BONK), Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Pepe (PEPE) are the most popular tokens based on market capitalization.
Source: (X)
Although a few of them experienced quite extraordinary development, several of them were kept to a minor extent with humble gains that provided a vivid picture of periodical investor activity. Analysts believe the divergence in quarterly gains reflects both speculative appetite and the potential early signs of an approaching altseason.
Pudgy Penguins Leads With Exceptional Growth
The third quarter of 2025 highlighted remarkable shifts in the memecoin sector, as leading tokens by market cap delivered mixed results. Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) emerged as the standout performer, recording an unparalleled 100% increase, establishing itself as one of the most dynamic tokens in this category. Market data shows its performance outpaced every other top-tier contender, positioning PENGU as a phenomenal case study for analysts observing altseason triggers.
Bonk Shows Remarkable Resilience
Bonk (BONK) secured second place in the quarterly rankings, achieving a 48% gain, which analysts describe as both groundbreaking and lucrative. BONK’s upward momentum was considered a signal of steady investor confidence despite broader market fluctuations. This outcome underscored how memecoins, often dismissed as volatile, continue to produce elite gains in targeted cycles.
Dogecoin and Shiba Inu Deliver Moderate Returns
Dogecoin (DOGE), the sector’s long-standing benchmark, advanced by 27% in Q3, reinforcing its reputation as a premier memecoin with consistent community-driven demand. Meanwhile, Shiba Inu (SHIB) added 6%, a modest yet superior outcome compared to smaller tokens outside the top-five list. Both DOGE and SHIB remain key indicators of sector health, providing reliable benchmarks for memecoin market sentiment.
Pepe Records Minimal Quarterly Growth
Pepe (PEPE) closed the quarter with a 5% increase, a relatively low figure compared with peers. Analysts noted that while PEPE’s expansion was not as dynamic, its presence among the top five reflects stable long-term market positioning. The result also highlights how not every elite memecoin rides the same wave of quarterly acceleration, offering insight into uneven sector-wide momentum.
Altseason Speculation Gains Traction
Industry observers suggest that these results may indicate early signals of a broader altseason. Coinbase’s recent outlook further supports speculation that October could mark a pivotal turning point. The exceptional quarterly performances from tokens like Pudgy Penguins and Bonk provide evidence of growing investor appetite for high-yield digital assets within this class. The results from Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe emphasize that memecoins continue to serve as barometers for sentiment across the wider crypto ecosystem.
