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Pepe the frog: leading the crypto charge

Tex Ogun

The cryptocurrency market has always been rife with speculation, a space where meme culture and digital assets frequently collide to create phenomena that captures the public imagination.

No token has captured the public imagination and the potential of memecoins more than Pepe and So now it is time to seriously assess memecoins and the role they could play as an asset in a diversified investment portfolio. PEPE has made millionaires overnight, and some are betting it could happen again. A prime example of PEPE’s profit potential is an investor who turned a mere $27 into $52 million—an extraordinary 1,900,000x ROI.


Pepe Coin  Cryptocurrency


 

At the time of writing December 18, 2024, Pepe is trading at approximately $0.00002157 per token. To understand the potential returns, consider the following scenarios. If Pepe reached one cent. This would represent a 39,700% increase from the current price. That means an investment of $1,000 at the current price would grow to $398,460.

This memecoin inspired by the widely recognized internet meme, “Pepe the Frog” looks set to surge, and here’s why. Despite being dismissed by some as a passing fad, Pepe has managed to capture the attention of both retail and institutional investors alike seeking exponential returns, particularly in light of the growing optimism around the potential for crypto-friendly policies under a new incoming Trump administration.

Whilst one cent is improbable in the short term, exponential growth is a distinct possibility in 2025. For perspective, consider if you had invested in Pepe in January this year, you would now have made a 10x return on your investment. Furthermore, the technical outlook suggests a continuation of the rally, targeting a new all-time high of $0.0000336. These figures underscore the dramatic potential returns that crypto can deliver but also highlight the speculative nature of such investments.

Pepe is a memecoin built on the Ethereum blockchain, launched in April 2023. It quickly gained popularity due to its association with the iconic Pepe the Frog meme and the speculative fervour often associated with such digital assets. Unlike established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, Pepe lacks a defined use case or what investors call intrinsic utility. Its primary appeal lies in its branding, community engagement, and speculative trading potential.

To understand the potential of Pepe, it is essential to examine its origins, market position, financial trading history, and the broader regulatory and cultural trends that might influence its growth. While its appeal is undeniable in certain circles, the coin presents both opportunities and challenges for investors.

Memecoins like Pepe operate on a unique dynamic. They thrive on virality, humour, and social momentum rather than technological innovation or fundamental value. As such, their market performance often mirrors the fickle nature of internet culture and investor sentiment. For Pepe, these factors have been both a strength and a limitation, drawing in speculative capital while raising questions about its long-term viability.

 

Pepe’s journey has been marked by rapid growth, intense volatility, and shifts in investor sentiment. After it launched in April 2023, it quickly rose to prominence, achieving a market capitalization of over $1 billion within weeks. Its market cap currently stands at a little over $10 billion. Social media buzz and endorsements from crypto influencers fuelled its rapid ascent, making it a household name among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. By mid-2023, Pepe’s meteoric rise began to falter, as its price experienced a sharp correction. Like many other memecoins, its value proved highly susceptible to market cycles and the inevitable pull-backs as early stage investors took their profits. However, towards the end of this year 2024, the coin has regained momentum, driven by discussions of  crypto-friendly policies under a Trum administration. This renewed momentum has led to debates over whether Pepe can carve out a more stable position in the digital asset market or if it will remain entirely a speculative play.

Pepecoin currently holds a position as a mid-cap cryptocurrency, accessible yet volatile. It enjoys significant trading volume and liquidity, making it attractive to retail investors. Yet, these same characteristics also expose it to price manipulation by large holders, often referred to as "whales."

 

Pepe’s trading volume has remained robust during periods of heightened interest, with liquidity supported by listings on major cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance, and now more recently on exchanges like KCEX an altcoin futures trading platform that does not have KYC protocols.

 

When in late 2024 (December), Pepe price surged to a new all-time high of $0.0000275 after rallying more than 18% in a week. Crypto whales substantially increased their PEPE token holdings, adding an impressive $1.14 billion in value. Recent data reveals a 147.81% surge in wallets holding over $10 million worth of PEPE over the past month. This sharp rise underscores growing interest among large-scale investors, signalling a potential influence on the token’s future market performance. Technical charts also reveal a classic “cup and handle” pattern, often associated with bullish trends. The pattern visible on PEPE’s trading chart suggests a consolidation period before a potential upward surge.

 

Smaller investors are exhibiting slightly different behaviour. Wallets with holdings between $1 and $10 decreased by 29.69%, while those with $100 to $1,000 saw a notable rise of 21.53%. The most significant growth occurred in the $1 million to $10 million range, with holdings soaring 20%. These trends reveal shifting dynamics between retail and institutional investors, reflecting evolving market participation and interest in PEPE.

This sentiment aligns with observations by many analysts, who have noted that altcoins often thrive when the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem benefits from increased institutional participation.

 

As discussed earlier, Pepe’s potential lies in its ability to capture the imagination of both retail investors and the broader crypto community. The anticipation of crypto-friendly policies under a Trump administration has reinvigorated discussions about digital assets, including altcoins and memecoins.

These policies could include reduced capital gains taxes on cryptocurrencies, clearer regulatory frameworks, and an emphasis on fostering innovation rather than enforcement-heavy approaches. If realised, such measures could create an environment where speculative assets like Pepe experience significant appreciation. As seen with Dogecoin’s explosive growth in 2021, memecoins can deliver extraordinary returns during bullish market conditions, driven by fear of missing out (FOMO) and widespread social media campaigns.

The success of PEPE has spawned other memecoins based on the Pepe the frog meme. Pepe Unchained burst onto the market last week, soaring 500% from its initial listing price to a $400 million market cap. Other memecoin tokens are also being pre-launched in an attempt to emulate PEPE’ returns..

 

In conclusion, while PEPE memecoin has shown potential for upside in its value, it remains a highly speculative and volatile investment. Retail investors are strongly encouraged to exercise prudence and approach this asset with caution. As with any investment, it's essential to conduct thorough research and understand the risks involved. This article does not constitute financial advice, and individuals should consider consulting a qualified financial expert to ensure their investment decisions align with their financial goals and risk tolerance. Always remember, only invest what you can afford to lose.

 

That said it is difficult to not see pepe as a really good bet, especially as the new market cycle in crypto seems overwhelmingly bullish and has the potential for outsized returns.

 

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