PIPPIN Jumps 23% as AI‑Driven and Meme Tokens Regain Momentum
By [Your Name] – February 26 2026
The Solana‑based memecoin PIPPIN, which blends generative‑AI branding with classic meme‑token dynamics, recorded a 23 % price gain in the last 24 hours, outpacing most large‑cap assets as traders rotate into narrative‑rich projects.
Market snapshot
| Metric | Current level | Recent change |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ≈ $0.87 | +23 % (24 h), +70 % (7 d), +169 % (30 d) |
| Market cap | ~ $870 million | Up sharply alongside price |
| 24‑h trading volume | > $70 million | Elevated relative to peers |
| AI‑token sector cap | $13.8 billion | +5.6 % (24 h) |
| Meme‑coin market cap | $34.6 billion | +4.7 % (24 h) |
| Total crypto market cap | $2.38 trillion | –2.2 % (24 h) |
Data are taken from CoinGecko and reflect the latest snapshot of on‑chain activity.
Why PIPPIN’s rally matters
The surge comes as the broader AI‑linked token space has re‑entered the spotlight, buoyed by renewed speculative interest in projects that tie artificial‑intelligence narratives to token economics. Simultaneously, the meme‑coin segment—the sector that gave rise to tokens such as Shiba Inu and Dogecoin—has experienced a modest bounce, with its aggregate market cap climbing nearly 5 % over the past day.
PIPPIN sits at the intersection of these two trends, leveraging Solana’s low‑fee environment and an AI‑themed branding that resonates with investors looking for “next‑big‑story” assets. However, the rally appears to be driven more by sentiment than by concrete fundamentals.
Analyst perspective
Nicolai Sondergaard, research analyst at blockchain analytics firm Nansen, cautioned that the token’s upward trajectory lacks a clear catalyst. “PIPPIN has been on an upward curve since early December 2025, but the drivers remain opaque,” he told The Defiant. Sondergaard highlighted several structural factors that could be influencing price:
- Exchange‑concentrated supply – A sizable portion of PIPPIN tokens resides on centralized exchanges, notably Gate.io, limiting the ability to track holder intent on‑chain.
- Holder composition – The top wallets are flagged as “investment recipients,” a label often used for entities that receive inbound capital rather than active traders. This concentration raises questions about centralized influence.
- Insider‐wallet clustering – CoinGecko’s Bubblemap analysis suggests that roughly 80 % of the circulating supply is controlled by a network of inter‑linked wallets, a pattern sometimes associated with coordinated buying or pump activity.
While these observations hint at a possible centralized element, Sondergaard stressed that the evidence is not definitive and that “accusations remain speculative without formal verification.”
Risks and considerations
- Liquidity concentration – The bulk of the token’s supply on a few exchanges could amplify price swings if large holders decide to liquidate.
- Regulatory scrutiny – Tokens that combine AI hype with high‑risk meme mechanics are increasingly on the radar of regulators concerned about market manipulation.
- Lack of transparent utility – Beyond branding, PIPPIN has not disclosed a unique utility or revenue‑generating model that would justify its valuation in the long term.
CoinGecko warned traders to perform due diligence, noting the concentration risk highlighted by the Bubblemap data. As with many meme‑or AI‑themed tokens, price movements can be decoupled from underlying fundamentals, making the asset particularly vulnerable to sentiment shifts.
Key takeaways
- Strong short‑term price action – PIPPIN rose 23 % in 24 hours, driven by renewed interest in AI‑linked and meme‑coin narratives.
- Heavy supply concentration – Over three‑quarters of the token’s circulating supply is held by inter‑connected wallets, primarily on centralized exchanges.
- Unclear fundamentals – Analysts point to a lack of clear catalysts and limited on‑chain activity beyond speculative trading.
- Sector momentum – The AI token market cap is now $13.8 billion (up 5.6 % in 24 h) and the meme‑coin market cap $34.6 billion (up 4.7 % in 24 h), providing a tailwind for PIPPIN.
- Caution advised – Investors should weigh the concentration risk and the speculative nature of the token before committing capital.
Bottom line: PIPPIN’s recent outperformance illustrates how narrative‑driven assets can capture market attention even amid a broader downturn in total crypto market capitalization. While the token’s price momentum reflects current hype around AI and meme themes, the underlying supply dynamics and lack of transparent utility suggest a heightened risk profile that traders should evaluate carefully.
Source: https://thedefiant.io/news/markets/pippin-jumps-23-as-ai-and-meme-tokens-gain-momentum
