shiba inu coinmarketcap

What Is Shiba Inu (SHIB)?

Shiba Inu (SHIB) is a cryptocurrency token issued on the Ethereum blockchain, following the ERC-20 standard. As a meme coin, SHIB is primarily driven by community culture, features a low unit price, and has a massive total supply. It is actively traded within the Ethereum ecosystem and its own Layer 2 network.

By adhering to the ERC-20 standard, SHIB can be seamlessly used in various wallets and on numerous crypto exchanges. As the project has evolved, both the core team and community have introduced a token burn mechanism, permanently removing a portion of tokens from circulation to help address supply concerns. Additionally, the project has launched Shibarium, a Layer 2 solution designed to reduce transaction fees and increase throughput.

What Are the Current Price, Market Cap, and Circulating Supply of Shiba Inu (SHIB)?

SHIB’s price, market cap, and circulating supply are subject to real-time market fluctuations. Market capitalization is calculated as price multiplied by circulating supply, reflecting the project’s overall scale. Circulating supply represents the number of tokens currently available for trading in the market, while total supply is determined by the smart contract; token burns reduce the available supply.

As of January 4, 2026 (according to CoinMarketCap), SHIB’s total and circulating supply are both approximately 589 trillion tokens. Due to its low unit price, SHIB’s market cap is particularly sensitive to price movements, often showing significant daily and weekly volatility. For up-to-date information on price, market cap, and 24-hour trading volume, always refer to the live data on Gate’s markets page.

When analyzing trends, consider monitoring three key metrics: changes in market cap ranking, fluctuations in 24-hour trading volume, and the frequency of token burns or Layer 2 network activity. These indicators help assess capital participation and liquidity.

Source: CoinMarketCap. Data as of January 4, 2026.

Who Created Shiba Inu (SHIB) and When?

Shiba Inu was created in 2020 by an anonymous developer using the pseudonym “Ryoshi” and quickly gained traction through community engagement. Since 2021, SHIB has experienced explosive growth fueled by meme culture and viral social media campaigns, resulting in rapid increases in both user base and liquidity.

Early token allocations and subsequent burns have been pivotal in SHIB’s history. The community entrusted a significant portion of tokens to a prominent Ethereum holder, leading to large-scale burns and donations—actions that enhanced decentralization and public perception. Over time, the ecosystem expanded with the introduction of decentralized exchanges and Layer 2 networks, establishing more robust use cases for SHIB.

How Does Shiba Inu (SHIB) Work?

SHIB operates according to the ERC-20 token standard, leveraging smart contracts on Ethereum. These smart contracts are self-executing programs that facilitate transfers, trades, and protocol parameters according to predefined rules.

To address high transaction fees and scalability challenges, the Shiba Inu project developed Shibarium—a Layer 2 network built atop Ethereum’s mainnet. Layer 2 solutions aggregate transactions off-chain before settling them on-chain, thus reducing congestion and lowering gas fees.

The token burn mechanism permanently removes a portion of tokens from circulation through contract execution or specific events. While burning tokens does not guarantee price appreciation, it can influence long-term supply dynamics. It is essential to evaluate this alongside market cap and liquidity.

What Can Shiba Inu (SHIB) Be Used For?

The primary uses for SHIB are trading and portfolio allocation across both centralized and decentralized exchanges.

On decentralized exchanges utilizing AMM protocols, users can provide liquidity by pairing SHIB with another token in a liquidity pool to earn a share of trading fees. AMMs use mathematical formulas for pricing assets and allow for permissionless trading without traditional order books.

Within ecosystems such as Shibarium, SHIB can be used for payments, swaps, and participating in community initiatives. Some merchants or platforms accept SHIB for transactions; acceptance varies by region and merchant.

What Are the Main Risks and Regulatory Considerations for Shiba Inu (SHIB)?

Price Volatility: Meme coins like SHIB are highly sensitive to sentiment and trending topics, resulting in significant price swings. Proper position sizing and stop-loss strategies are essential.

Liquidity and Slippage: Low trading volumes or large orders may cause slippage—the difference between expected and executed prices.

Technical and Contract Risks: Smart contracts and Layer 2 solutions may have vulnerabilities or may not perform as expected. Stay updated with official announcements and code audits.

Regulation and Compliance: Regulatory treatment of crypto assets varies by jurisdiction and may impact how you can trade or use SHIB. Familiarize yourself with local laws to avoid compliance risks.

Custody Security: Security is critical whether you store assets on an exchange or in a self-custodial wallet. For self-custody, securely back up your private key and mnemonic phrases—the passphrases used to recover your wallet. On exchanges, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and beware of phishing links.

What Drives the Long-Term Value of Shiba Inu (SHIB)?

Community size and brand recognition are foundational strengths for SHIB. Ongoing community engagement, content creation, and social buzz drive capital and developer interest.

Ecosystem adoption and network effects are equally important. If Shibarium continues to improve performance, reduce fees, and offer a better developer experience—leading to more applications and transactions—SHIB’s on-chain utility could grow.

The pace of token burns is also a key variable over time. Monitor both burn frequency/scale and actual demand/liquidity; otherwise, reduced supply alone may not sustain price growth.

Trackable metrics include active addresses, on-chain transaction count, TVL (Total Value Locked), 24-hour trading volume, capital inflows, and market cap ranking changes.

How Can I Buy and Safely Store Shiba Inu (SHIB) on Gate?

Step 1: Register a Gate account and complete identity verification (KYC). Visit Gate’s official website to create your account, complete KYC procedures, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), set up withdrawal whitelist addresses, and activate anti-phishing codes in your security settings.

Step 2: Deposit funds. Purchase USDT via bank card or transfer USDT from another wallet into your Gate account. After depositing, verify your balance and ensure the correct deposit network.

Step 3: Place an order for SHIB. On the trading page, search for the “SHIB/USDT” pair. You can use limit orders (set your own price for execution) or market orders (buy instantly at current market prices; suitable for quick purchases but may involve slippage).

Step 4: Withdraw SHIB & select network. If you wish to self-custody your assets, go to the withdrawal page, choose Ethereum ERC-20 as the network (pay attention to gas fees and wallet address format). Always perform a small test withdrawal first to verify address details, tags, and fees.

Step 5: Secure storage & backup. For self-custody wallets, write down your mnemonic phrase offline—never store it digitally or in the cloud. For large or long-term holdings, consider using a hardware wallet for extra security through private key isolation. Regularly update your wallet app and enable anti-phishing measures.

What Are the Key Differences Between Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin?

Blockchain & Asset Structure: Dogecoin runs on its own Proof-of-Work blockchain with native coins; Shiba Inu is an ERC-20 token managed via smart contracts on Ethereum.

Supply Mechanism: Dogecoin uses an inflationary model with ongoing issuance each year; Shiba Inu started with an enormous total supply but gradually reduces effective supply through burning mechanisms—total supply now closely matches circulating supply.

Utility & Ecosystem: Dogecoin is primarily used for micro-payments and tipping; Shiba Inu leverages Ethereum and Shibarium for DeFi participation and community-centric applications—favoring smart contracts and Layer 2 solutions.

Fees & Speed: Dogecoin transactions typically have low fees but depend on its native network capacity; Shiba Inu’s fees on Ethereum mainnet can spike during congestion—Shibarium aims to lower costs and increase speed.

Market Positioning: Both originate as meme coins but focus differently—Dogecoin emphasizes simplicity and payments; Shiba Inu focuses on community building and ecosystem expansion. Each serves different user needs and risk preferences.

Summary: Key Takeaways About Shiba Inu (SHIB)

Shiba Inu is a meme token built on Ethereum that differentiates itself through active community engagement and ecosystem development. Its market cap and price are influenced by sentiment, liquidity dynamics, burn rate trends, and the ongoing evolution of its Layer 2 network Shibarium—which offers lower fees and faster transactions. If you are considering allocating funds to SHIB, always refer to live data from Gate for pricing info; monitor ranking, trading volumes, on-chain activity, manage positions responsibly, and prioritize risk controls. For asset security—whether using exchanges or self-custody—always enable 2FA, safeguard your private keys & mnemonic phrases offline, and watch out for phishing attempts or fake apps. Ultimately, understanding SHIB’s supply-demand dynamics and ecosystem roadmap is crucial for evaluating its long-term prospects.

FAQ

How Is Shiba Inu’s Market Cap Ranked Among Cryptocurrencies?

Shiba Inu’s market cap ranking fluctuates with overall market conditions but typically falls within the top 50–100 cryptocurrencies globally. Market cap is calculated by multiplying current price by circulating supply. You can track real-time market cap data on platforms like Gate.

What Is the Total Supply of Shiba Inu? How Does This Affect Market Cap?

Shiba Inu has a total supply of approximately one quadrillion tokens—a major reason why its unit price remains low. The larger the supply relative to market cap, the lower each token’s price; hence SHIB prices are often displayed with many decimal places.

Why Does Shiba Inu Experience Large Price Swings?

As a meme coin, SHIB’s price is heavily influenced by community hype, celebrity endorsements, and overall market sentiment—resulting in high volatility. Concentrated trading volumes or uneven distribution among holders can further amplify these swings. Always check live data on Gate and assess risks objectively.

How Can I Check Real-Time Market Cap & Price Data for Shiba Inu?

You can search for SHIB directly on Gate to view real-time price, market cap, 24-hour changes, etc. Alternatively, use data aggregators like CoinGecko for historical comparisons or detailed analytics. Regularly consult official sources for reliable information.

What Drives Market Cap Growth for Shiba Inu?

Growth in SHIB’s market cap is primarily driven by community engagement, ecosystem expansion (such as DEXs like Shibaswap), new exchange listings, and shifts in market sentiment. The introduction of burn mechanisms has also gradually reduced supply—helping support market cap performance. However, future growth remains uncertain; invest cautiously.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) Glossary

• Meme Coin: A cryptocurrency inspired by internet culture or memes—characterized by strong social engagement and entertainment value.
• Burn Mechanism: The process of permanently destroying tokens to reduce circulating supply—potentially increasing scarcity and value.
• Decentralized Exchange (DEX): A peer-to-peer platform allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies directly without intermediaries—for example, Uniswap.
• Liquidity Pool: Pools where users deposit equal-value pairs of tokens to facilitate trading while earning fees.
• Community Governance: The decentralized decision-making process where token holders vote on project developments.

Further Reading & References: Shiba Inu (SHIB)

• Official Website / Whitepaper:

  • https://www.shibatoken.com/
  • https://shibaswap.com/

• Developer Resources / Documentation:

  • https://github.com/shytoshikusama/shibarium
  • https://docs.shibatoken.com/

• Media & Research:

  • https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/shiba-inu/
  • https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/shiba-inu