Shiba Inu has recently posted an unexpected gain of over 13%, breaking decisively from the extended bearish trend that had been holding it back. With 2026 shaping up to be a transformative year for the crypto market, meme coins like Shiba Inu are benefiting from a broader bullish shift and rising demand. As the price tests higher valuation zones, on-chain data reveals the key forces behind its recent surge.
The rally, which saw Shiba Inu jump more than 13% on Sunday, January 4, coincided with the start of a broader 2026 meme coin frenzy that has been rotating capital among speculative assets. According to analytics platform Santiment, the move was driven largely by aggressive accumulation from top whales rather than a surge in retail demand.
In a social media post, Santiment analysts noted that large holders were tightening their grip on Shiba Inu’s supply while retail distribution remained muted. This behavior reflects growing confidence among major whale wallets and indicates the rally was not fueled by short-term, hype-driven buying.
The climb began in early January after several weeks of consolidation near recent lows. It followed a prolonged downtrend that lasted from late October through December 2025, making the 13% jump a clear shift in momentum.
Santiment’s data shows that while prices fluctuated in the second half of 2025, the percentage of SHIB supply held by the top 10 whale wallets steadily increased—signaling consistent accumulation even in weak market conditions. At the time of analysis, these wallets collectively controlled about 62.65% of the total supply, an unusually high concentration that gives large holders significant influence over short-term price moves.
The single largest wallet held roughly 41% of the total SHIB supply, valued at around $3.3 billion. Other top wallets each controlled between 2.8% and 5.7%, with several individual addresses worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Shiba Inu’s 13% price jump aligns with a visible uptick in whale concentration at the far right of Santiment’s chart. As more supply became locked up, available liquidity thinned, allowing even modest buying pressure to push prices meaningfully higher.
So far in 2026, Shiba Inu has gained more than 32% year-to-date. If wallet concentration stays high and whales continue to accumulate, volatility is likely to persist as prices react quickly to shifts in large-holder behavior.
At the time of writing, Shiba Inu is trading at $0.00000916, up roughly 5% in the past day.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Shiba Inus 13 Price Surge
Beginner Questions
Q What happened to Shiba Inus price
A Shiba Inus price increased by more than 13 in a short period This means its value jumped significantly compared to the US dollar or other cryptocurrencies
Q Why do cryptocurrency prices like Shiba Inus change so quickly
A Crypto prices are highly volatile They react sharply to news investor sentiment large trades and overall market trends often more drastically than traditional stocks
Q What does a price surge or rally mean
A It simply means the price went up rapidly and substantially over a short timeframein this case over 13
Q Is this a good time to buy Shiba Inu
A We cannot give financial advice A price surge can be an opportunity but it also might mean the asset is at a higher risk of a pullback Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose
Q Where can I check Shiba Inus current price
A You can use popular cryptocurrency tracking websites and apps like CoinMarketCap CoinGecko or the portfolio trackers on exchanges like Coinbase or Binance
Intermediate Questions
Q What specifically drove this 13 increase for Shiba Inu
A While specific triggers can vary common drivers for such surges include
Positive Market Sentiment A general bullish or optimistic trend across the entire crypto market
Shiba Inu Ecosystem News Updates on projects like Shibarium new partnerships or token burns
Large Investor Activity A single large purchase can temporarily push the price up
Social Media Hype Increased discussion and excitement on platforms like Twitter Reddit or TikTok
Q What is a token burn and could it affect the price
A A token burn is when a project permanently removes a portion of its tokens from circulation For Shiba Inu which has a vast supply burns aim to create scarcity which can theoretically increase the value of the remaining tokens if demand stays the same or grows