Pepe Coin surged by 9.3 percent over the past 24 hours, sparking optimism that the broader meme coin market may be showing early signs of recovery. Following a prolonged downtrend across the crypto space, Pepe’s recent price action has drawn renewed interest from investors watching for the next breakout.

According to CoinMarketCap, Pepe declined by just 8 percent over the past week, faring better than Dogecoin and Floki, which fell 15.9 percent and 15.5 percent, respectively. Pepe remains the third-largest meme coin by market capitalization, maintaining its position despite recent volatility.

While the overall market cap of meme coins has dropped to multi-month lows, 24-hour trading volume surged by more than 300 percent compared to the previous day, signaling a possible shift in investor sentiment. Some analysts suggest this could be the beginning of a new meme coin cycle.

In this environment, a growing number of meme coin projects are gaining traction not just for their humor or virality, but for their integration of real technology and utility.

Mind of Pepe, for instance, is an AI-powered analytics platform that merges the Pepe meme with artificial intelligence. Its on-chain agent monitors social media trends and market activity, offering exclusive insights to its token holders. Since its presale launch, the project has attracted early community support.

BTC Bull takes a different approach by linking meme coin culture with real Bitcoin incentives. The project rewards holders with actual BTC airdrops whenever Bitcoin hits specific price milestones, introducing a reward system that adds tangible value to a meme-themed asset.

Another emerging project, Guardians of the Car (GOTCAR), is also gaining attention. Built on the Solana blockchain, GOCAR uses real-time traffic data and AI to detect potential road hazards. Participants who contribute data are rewarded with tokens, introducing a community-driven model that blends meme culture with public utility. While inspired by playful themes, the project is designed around a practical use case and real-time participation.

These projects represent a broader trend in the meme coin sector, where developers are working to extend the lifespan of tokens beyond short-term hype. As the market matures, the combination of meme-driven marketing with actual functionality may reshape how investors view this volatile but dynamic corner of crypto.

Still, meme coins remain highly speculative assets, and investors are advised to evaluate each project’s technical fundamentals, development stage, and community strength before making any commitments.