• Mid-tier holders steadily accumulate SHIB, providing support and confidence behind the 30% surge.
• Network activity remains strong, with consistent transactions and rising BONE fees supporting ecosystem engagement.
• Rally sustainability depends on continued user interaction and market momentum beyond the initial spike.

Shiba Inu — SHIB, started 2026 with an impressive 30%+ surge, catching the attention of traders and investors alike. At first glance, the move looks like another typical memecoin spike, but a closer look reveals subtle differences. The rally is backed by steady buying, active network engagement, and mid-tier holders showing confidence. Understanding these factors can help determine whether SHIB’s momentum has the potential to sustain or fade over the coming weeks.

Mid-Tier Holders Drive Confidence

One of the most notable aspects of this rally is the role of mid-sized holders. SHIB Wallet holders holding between 1,000 and 100,000 tokens have been steadily increasing their positions for months. These holders appear confident in the short-term prospects of the token. While the largest wallets are no longer aggressively buying and smaller retail wallets tend to react rather than lead, the mid-tier accumulation provides a solid base for price strength.

The price move came after a period of sideways action, attracting both traders and investors seeking new opportunities. SHIB has pushed above key short-term moving averages, and the relative strength index shows strong, though stretched, momentum. This indicates that buying interest is real, but the rally has yet to build deep structural demand. For now, the steady purchases by mid-tier wallets act as a stabilizing factor, giving some credibility to the surge.

Engagement and Activity Support the Move

Beyond ownership patterns, network activity also offers insights into SHIB’s rally. Data from Shibarium shows that total transactions have increased over recent weeks. While not spiking dramatically, the activity is consistent, suggesting ongoing engagement by the community. Transaction fees paid in BONE have also seen repeated jumps, indicating users are interacting with the ecosystem rather than simply trading for short-term gains.

Active account counts have declined slightly from earlier peaks, yet they remain stable, further confirming ongoing engagement. This combination of steady buying and consistent network use sets this rally apart from previous quick spikes. It shows that the surge is not purely speculative but backed by user confidence and participation. For SHIB to maintain momentum, this engagement will need to continue.

Price alone cannot sustain a rally if the underlying ecosystem activity declines. Traders and investors should watch both market movements and network metrics to assess the strength and longevity of this surge. The SHIB rally highlights the growing importance of community and ecosystem activity in driving memecoin performance.

While the structural support is still developing, mid-tier accumulation and consistent network engagement provide a foundation for potential sustainability. Observing these factors in the coming weeks will be critical to understanding whether Shiba Inu can hold these gains or experience a temporary pullback. Shiba Inu’s 30% rally in early 2026 shows signs of confidence from mid-tier holders.