According to a recent assessment from market intelligence platform Santiment, interaction and participation within the cryptocurrency community have begun to increase significantly. The firm identified three key narratives driving renewed investor interest: memecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWA), and regulated exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Memecoins are experiencing a dramatic resurgence. Following a challenging 2025, the sector's market capitalization has surged by nearly $8 billion in a matter of days, reaching approximately $49.5 billion—a 30% increase year-to-date. Santiment data highlights strong price gains in popular memecoins like PEPE, POPCAT, and MOG. Established tokens such as Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Pepe Coin (PEPE) have also posted significant weekly gains, with PEPE leading the rally with a 57.3% increase over the previous week. On-chain data reveals a spike in large transactions, including Dogecoin whales acquiring 220 million tokens in 24 hours, signaling renewed confidence among high-value investors.
Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs) are gaining traction as a diversification tool. Santiment reports record-breaking RWA volumes on blockchain networks, most notably Solana, making this area a hot topic for institutional investors. Traders are examining RWA tokens from projects like Ondo and Clearpool, with on-chain bonds, real estate, and other traditional assets becoming increasingly attractive as alternatives to pure speculation.
The third major narrative centers on regulated ETF products. Santiment points to Morgan Stanley's recent spot ETF applications for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana as an indication that Wall Street institutions are seriously considering regulated crypto investments. The platform argues that such structured investment vehicles can attract significant institutional capital and play a key role in shaping broader market trends.
