HEGE, BONK and KENDU Lead Strong Weekly Surge in Animal Memecoins

HEGE Leads Solana’s Animal Memecoin Surge With 48% Gain

Animal-themed memecoins are making headlines again after a strong week of outperformance across the Solana ecosystem. Leading the charge is HegeCoin (HEGE), a hedgehog-based memecoin, surging 48% between July 7 and July 13, significantly outperforming both SOL (7.9%) and BTC (9%).

The rally has caught the attention of major players. On Sunday, July 13, @RaydiumProtocol wrote on X: “Pivot to animal memes.”

LetsBONK launchpad founder @SolportTom wrote: “We’re back in an animal meta full circle.”

The numbers on CoinMarketCap support their claims:

• HEGE (hedgehog): +48%
  
  

• PNUT (squirrel): +23%
  
  

• KENDU (wolf): +17%
  
  

• BONK (dog): +13%
  
  

• SOL: +7.94%

(Based on the 7-day percentage increase on CoinMarketCap at the time of writing.)

Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High: What’s Next for Alts & Memes?

On the macro side, Bitcoin (BTC) recently reached a new all-time high, setting fresh records and attracting renewed institutional and retail interest. Historically, once BTC tops out or consolidates near its peak, liquidity begins flowing into altcoins and memecoins, the next sectors primed for outsized gains.

Previous market cycles have shown this pattern repeatedly: the bull run starts with Bitcoin leading the charge, but as $BTC’s gains plateau, investors seek higher returns in alt sectors. Memecoins, with their strong community engagement and viral potential, often become primary beneficiaries during these phases.

The recent uptick in animal memecoins such as HEGE and others fits this cycle’s narrative, suggesting that as BTC stabilizes at new highs, the broader market is starting to recognize the growth opportunities in meme and brand-driven tokens.

A Shift Back to Story-Driven Memecoins

The resurgence appears to mark a pivot in sentiment away from fast-fading pump-and-dump plays, and back toward memecoins with recognizable characters and long-term community ecosystems.

Among them, HEGE stands out not just for its price performance, but for its evolution. Launched over 15 months ago, HEGE has developed into a community-driven “brandcoin” with its own identity, culture, and storyline.

Key highlights of the HEGE ecosystem include:

• Hegends NFT Collection – A collection of 2,222 NFTs launched on Solana
  
  

• Merchandise Store – A newly launched collection of on-brand apparel and plush collectibles
  
  

• Community Campaigns – Weekly raids, meme contests, and social challenges
  
  

• Consistent Branding – A narrative universe positioning HEGE as spearheading the brandcoin movement
  
  

• Original Animated Content – HEGE is finalizing a contract with a professional studio to produce over 20 high-quality animations in the coming weeks. All content is fully custom, from pre-production through final output, and entirely hand-crafted.

While many Solana memecoins rise and fall within days, HEGE’s multi-month journey has built loyalty and ongoing engagement, which is a rarity in the space.

A Broader Trend on Solana

The animal coin breakout isn’t limited to HEGE. PNUT, a squirrel-themed token, and KENDU, a dog-wolf hybrid project, also saw double-digit gains, as did the long-running Solana favorite BONK. These tokens are proving that meme assets with character and cult status can still compete in a fast-moving market.

Meanwhile, pump.fun’s PUMP token raised 500 million in just 12 minutes over the weekend, confirming that liquidity is still pouring into meme projects. But while hype is still a driver, many traders are looking beyond pure speculation, returning to projects with clear themes and community lore.

As one trader noted in a popular thread on X: “The gamble plays are fun, but the tokens with stories stick. Animal memes are simple, recognizable, and here to stay.”

Looking Ahead

It’s too early to call this a full-fledged bull cycle for animal coins, but the momentum is undeniable. Memecoins that combine humor, identity, and consistency, rather than just quick listings, are beginning to separate from the pack.

In that landscape, HEGE is well positioned. With a maturing brand, an active community, and renewed sector interest, it’s proving that animals aren’t just a nostalgia play, they’re still a driving force in the memecoin market.

About HEGE:

Website: https://www.hegecoin.com
Twitter/X: @HegeCoin
Media Contact: marketing@hegecoin.com

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