Upbit Lists PEPE Against KRW, Stabilizes Trading with Volatility Controls

On November 14, 2024, prominent cryptocurrency exchange Upbit introduced a new trading pair, PEPE/KRW, allowing users to trade the memecoin against the South Korean won. This move aligns with Upbit's strategy of listing PEPE against various fiat currencies.

Volatility Control Measures

To mitigate potential excessive price fluctuations during the initial trading stages, Upbit has implemented temporary restrictions. These include:

• A 5-minute buy limit for the first hour of trading
• A minimum sell price during the first five minutes

Surging Popularity and Market Cap

The listing on Upbit has fueled a surge in demand for PEPE, with its market capitalization exceeding $10 billion. Daily trading volumes have also skyrocketed by 200%, reaching over $20 billion. The coin's popularity has been fueled by major exchange listings, including Coinbase and Robinhood.

Whale Activity and Profit-Taking

Early PEPE investors have reportedly initiated profit-taking. A significant whale who accumulated over 2 trillion PEPE tokens in 2023 has sold a portion, valuing roughly $11.8 million. Despite this sale, the whale still holds a significant stake worth approximately $33.2 million, resulting in a substantial return on their initial investment.

Increased Market Interest

The Upbit listing has ignited increased market interest in PEPE. Open interest, which reflects the number of active futures contracts, has surged to $316 million, an increase of 63%. Liquidations have also reached $48 million within a day. These indicators suggest that traders are actively participating in the PEPE market, albeit with caution due to its inherent volatility.