PENGU Surpasses BONK: Can Solana’s Meme Coin Star Break Into the Top 3 by 2025?

PENGU Surpasses BONK to Become Solana’s Meme Coin Leader

PENGU (Pudgy Penguins) has officially overtaken BONK to claim the top spot among Solana-based meme coins. In late July 2025, PENGU’s market cap climbed to nearly $2.88 billion, edging past BONK’s ~$2.84 billion in a dramatic shift.

This isn’t the first time PENGU has flipped BONK. Back in December 2024, it briefly took the lead before BONK reclaimed the position. However, the latest surge is being fueled by strong momentum and growing market exposure, keeping the rivalry tighter than ever.

By TradingView - Top Meme Coins by Market Cap on 2025-08-08

What’s Driving PENGU’s Momentum?

PENGU’s rise is tied to its deep connection with the Pudgy Penguins NFT brand , which gives it more cultural traction than traditional meme coins. The brand’s NFT success has spilled over into the token’s popularity, attracting a loyal community and generating strong online buzz.

Additionally, high trading volumes in global markets, especially in Asia, have accelerated PENGU’s rally. The token’s price has broken into new highs, drawing in both retail traders and speculative investors eager to ride the hype.

The PEPE Challenge: Can PENGU Break Into the Top 3?

With BONK in the rearview mirror, attention now turns to PEPE, the third-largest meme coin by market cap. To surpass PEPE , PENGU would need to grow its valuation significantly, but its recent momentum suggests it might not be out of reach.

If the current pace continues, some traders believe PENGU could crack the top 3 meme coins by late 2025. However, meme coin history shows that flips like this can be short-lived, making sustained growth the bigger challenge.

By TradingView - PENGUPUDUSD_2025-08-08 (3M)

New Listings Boosting Accessibility

A major factor behind PENGU’s surge is its increasing presence on top trading platforms. The most recent boost came from Robinhood , which added PENGU to its offerings alongside other trending meme coins.

This listing follows multiple exchange additions throughout 2025, widening accessibility for retail investors and increasing trading liquidity. Greater exposure to mainstream traders could be a key driver for future price appreciation.

Outlook for 2025

PENGU’s rapid climb over BONK underscores the power of community-driven and brand-backed meme coins. If hype continues, supported by new listings and broader adoption, a run toward PEPE’s market cap is possible before year-end.

However, meme coins are notoriously volatile, and PENGU’s next big test will be holding its gains long enough to prove it’s more than just a temporary hype cycle.

By TradingView - PENGUPUDUSD_2025-08-08 (All)

$PENGU, $BONK, $PEPE, $DOGE, $SHIB