- SHIB fell nearly 70% as meme coin hype declined and investor interest dropped.
- Shibarium network struggles, low adoption, and a September hack hurt confidence.
- Low trading volume, absent ETF filings, and minimal futures activity increased selling pressure.
Shiba Inu has had a rough year, losing nearly 70% of its value. Billions of dollars evaporated as investors moved away from meme coins. SHIB underperformed compared with major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Traders and analysts are asking why this happened. Understanding the key drivers behind the crash can provide insight into broader market trends and investor behavior. Several factors, from hype loss to network issues, contributed to SHIB’s decline.
Meme Coin Hype Fades
The biggest factor behind SHIB’s crash was the decline in meme coin popularity. Throughout 2025, investors shifted focus away from meme tokens. Data from CoinGecko shows the total market capitalization of meme coins fell to $39 billion. Earlier in the year, it had reached over $100 billion. Major meme coins followed similar paths. Dogecoin, TRUMP, Dogwifhat, Pepe, and Bonk all fell more than 60%.
By comparison, Bitcoin dropped less than 10% and increased its dominance in the market. As investors prioritized established cryptocurrencies, tokens like SHIB lost attention and value. Meme coins often rely on social media hype and retail sentiment. When that enthusiasm wanes, price corrections can be severe. Shiba Inu, despite a loyal community, faced the harsh reality of shifting market focus.
Shibarium Woes and Technical Challenges
Another significant reason for SHIB’s decline was the lackluster performance of Shibarium. This layer-2 network struggled to gain traction since its launch. Data shows only 18 developers actively building on the network. Total value locked fell 18% in just 30 days to $1.45 million. The low usage indicates both developers and users remain uninterested. Newer networks like Canton, Monad, and Plasma show higher engagement, highlighting Shibarium’s relative weakness.
The situation worsened in September when a hacker exploited the network. Using a flash loan, the attacker acquired 4.6 million BONE tokens and temporarily controlled validator keys. Losses ranged from $2.3 million to $4.1 million. Technical setbacks and security issues damaged investor confidence. Without strong adoption or robust usage, Shibarium struggled to support SHIB’s price.
Other factors also played a role. No companies filed for SHIB spot ETFs, unlike other meme coins such as Dogecoin and TRUMP. Trading volume remained low, with a 24-hour volume of $112 million, far below Dogecoin’s $1.14 billion or Pepe’s $211 million. Futures interest was minimal, showing waning demand and market participation.
Shiba Inu faced multiple headwinds this year. Weak meme coin sentiment, Shibarium setbacks, low adoption, and minimal institutional interest all contributed. Compared to competitors, SHIB lost ground quickly. While the coin still has a dedicated community, 2025 demonstrated the risks of relying on hype-driven growth.
