WhiteWhale Meme Coin Surpasses $100 Million Market Cap After 50x Rally on Solana

WhiteWhale, a Solana-based meme coin inspired by a high-profile derivatives trader, crossed the $100 million market capitalization threshold today after staging a dramatic rally of more than 50x since early December. The surge has been driven by growing retail participation, increased on-chain activity, and new listings across both spot and derivatives trading platforms.

The token’s rise is closely tied to the story of a trader known online as “The White Whale,” whose name became widely recognized following a public dispute with crypto exchange MEXC in mid-2025. At the time, MEXC froze the trader’s account over an alleged violation involving roughly $3 million in funds, sparking immediate backlash across social media and crypto forums.

The account freeze triggered extensive on-chain investigations and sustained pressure from the community, with many users questioning the exchange’s handling of the situation. After weeks of scrutiny, MEXC reversed its decision, publicly apologized, and released the frozen funds. The outcome significantly elevated The White Whale’s profile, particularly among retail traders who viewed the episode as a rare victory against centralized exchange overreach.

The trader’s notoriety expanded further during the October 10 market crash, when a sudden wave of selling swept across the crypto market. The volatility resulted in the liquidation of approximately $63 million in leveraged positions associated with the account, an event that quickly went viral and cemented the trader’s status as a symbol of extreme risk-taking during turbulent market conditions.

In the aftermath of these events, a meme coin carrying the WhiteWhale name was launched on Pump.fun. The token initially gained traction in early December, briefly reaching a market capitalization of around $7 million before experiencing a sharp pullback. Rather than fading, however, interest returned in mid-December as momentum rebuilt, setting the stage for the explosive rally that carried into early 2026.

As WhiteWhale pushed beyond the $100 million mark, trading volumes accelerated and liquidity deepened, reinforcing its position among the strongest-performing Solana meme coins of the cycle. The rally reflects a broader trend in meme markets, where compelling narratives, recognizable figures, and community-driven momentum increasingly drive capital inflows alongside pure speculation.

Whether WhiteWhale can sustain its rapid ascent remains uncertain, but its rise underscores how quickly viral stories and trader mythology can translate into market value within the meme coin ecosystem. For now, the token stands as another example of Solana’s continued dominance as a launchpad for narrative-driven meme assets in early 2026.