The internet's iconic amphibian has re-emerged into the limelight, but this time, Pepe the Frog isn't dominating troll forums—he's hopping his way to the top of the cryptocurrency charts. PEPE, the meme coin named after the internet sensation, is experiencing an unprecedented surge, fueled by a potent concoction of nostalgia and retail investor enthusiasm.
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From Backwater To Bullfrog: PEPE's Rise
PEPE's recent ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. Trading volume has skyrocketed by an astonishing 300% over the past 24 hours, propelling the price to an all-time high. This dramatic rise coincides with a resurgence in Gamestop (GME) stock, leading many to speculate that the retail investor army of 2021 is back for round two, armed with meme coins as their weapon of choice. PEPE market cap. Source: CoinMarketCap
The return of Keith Gill, better known online as "Roaring Kitty," has served as a rallying cry for these digital warriors. Gill's surprise post on his dormant Reddit account sent shockwaves through the market, reigniting the nostalgic flames of the original Gamestop saga. Analysts suggest this nostalgia has spilled over into the crypto market, sparking a full-blown meme coin craze.
PEPE, already experiencing a steady climb since mid-April, has emerged as the unlikely champion of this digital meme menagerie. PEPE is currently trading at $0.000011. Chart: TradingView
Whales Take A Dip In The Pepe Pond
It's not just the small-time investors driving the PEPE surge. Big money, or "whales" in crypto parlance, are also diving headfirst into the frenzy. On-chain data reveals a whale recently splurging a cool 1.86 million USDC for a whopping 195 billion PEPE tokens. Another whale scooped up a hefty 406 million PEPE, further propelling the price upwards.
This guy spent 1.86M $USDC to buy 195B $PEPE 12 hours ago and has now made an unrealized profit of $236K.
https://t.co/TSngBKN2yC pic.twitter.com/Oszxx3nIO2
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) May 14, 2024
But Is It All Golden Memes And Rainbows?
While PEPE's current trajectory is a dream come true for early adopters, a cautionary tale lurks beneath the frothy surface. Meme coins are infamous for their extreme volatility. Their value is often built on hype and fleeting internet trends, rather than solid financial fundamentals. This means a sudden shift in sentiment could trigger a catastrophic price crash, leaving investors holding the Pepe bag.
Source: Lookonchain
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Furthermore, PEPE is a relatively new player in the crypto game, with an uncertain future. Unlike established cryptocurrencies, PEPE lacks a proven track record. Its long-term viability remains a question mark.
Featured image from @GameStopPepe/X, chart from TradingView