Over the Past Year, Shiba Inu Has Struggled to Keep Pace with Dogecoin

Despite both coins once sharing similar levels of hype and value, Shiba Inu has struggled to keep pace with Dogecoin over the past year.

Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) has been struggling to keep pace with Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) over the past year, despite both coins once sharing similar levels of hype and value.

While both meme coins have experienced a decline in 2023, Dogecoin has received more attention lately, thanks in part to an unintentional tie-in with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or "DOGE" for short, adding another layer of meme-fueled interest to the project.

Shiba Inu, on the other hand, has been working on substance over spotlight. With a smaller market cap than Dogecoin, it might have more room to grow if market sentiment turns around. One potentially bullish development: its Layer-2 network, Shibarium, which officially launched in August 2023, recently surpassed 1 billion processed transactions. That level of usage shows it's gaining traction beyond its meme coin status, suggesting utility might finally be part of Shiba Inu's appeal.

Still, that major milestone hasn't translated into a price rally—at least not yet. The broader market downturn, sparked by economic headwinds like global trade concerns, has taken its toll on most major coins. Since the start of the year, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has dropped more than 15%, while Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have declined by 53% and 46%, respectively.

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For Shiba Inu to mount a comeback, much depends on a shift in sentiment. Its lower valuation—currently sitting at around $6.7 billion compared to Dogecoin's $22.1 billion—could become an advantage if investor optimism returns. If media interest in Musk's DOGE agency fades or he steps back from crypto-related headlines, Dogecoin might lose some of its momentum, giving Shiba Inu a chance to shine.

But timing matters. Shibarium's surge in activity came during a rough patch for the market. Had it occurred during a rally, the price reaction might've been different.

Looking ahead, whether Shiba Inu can close the gap with Dogecoin this year is far from certain. Political hopes around crypto-friendly leadership haven't played out as expected—especially after Donald Trump released his own meme coin, frustrating many in the community and casting doubt on serious adoption.

In crypto, tides can turn quickly. Shiba Inu is in a weaker position than some of its peers, but its lower market cap and real-world blockchain adoption make it a candidate for a comeback—if broader conditions improve. That said, expectations should remain measured. A rebound isn't guaranteed, and catching up to Dogecoin may take more time than bulls are hoping for.