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9 min read 
As of 9 December 2024, PEPE has become the third-largest meme coin in the market after reaching a new all-time high of $0.000027. The frog meme now has a market cap of over $11billion, gaining more than 1,500% in 2024.
With the frog-themed token seeing record engagement in this bull market, now is a good time to learn about Pepe and whether it’s a good investment for 2025.
Key takeaways
- Pepe is an ERC-20 token based on the Ethereum blockchain, launched in 2023.
- The developers behind PEPE remain anonymous. However, reports have alleged Zachary Testa, a US photographer, to be its founder, although the reports remain unconfirmed.
- PEPE has surged by over 1,500% in 2024 – yet the token remains significantly speculative due to a lack of utility and a roadmap.
- PEPE is listed on major crypto exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, Bybit, and OKX.
History of the Pepe meme coin
The Pepe meme coin was inspired by the internet-famous Pepe the Frog character. The character itself was created by Matt Furie in 2005 as part of his comic series Boys Club. Pepe gained widespread popularity in the early 2010s, fueled by platforms like 4chan, Reddit, and Twitter, where it became a symbol for humor, sarcasm, and various online movements.
The coin itself was launched in mid-2023 as an ERC-20 token based on the Ethereum network, riding the wave of meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. While the exact individual or group behind Pepe meme coin’s creation remains anonymous (as with many meme coins), it was born out of the desire to combine the internet’s fascination with Pepe the Frog and the speculative nature of meme-based cryptocurrencies. The inspiration stemmed from the widespread recognition and nostalgic appeal of the Pepe meme within the crypto community.
Pepe became popular because of its simplicity and relatability. The meme’s versatility made it a staple for countless variations and adaptations across social media. This viral status laid the groundwork for the meme coin’s instant hype. Upon its launch, it attracted investors looking to replicate the speculative successes of earlier meme coins, causing its value to surge significantly as it became a hot topic in crypto community discussions.
Since launch, the token’s current value is up by nearly 50,000%.
The technology behind Pepe coin
Pepe Coin is an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, which uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. Validators stake 32 ETH to process transactions and secure the network.
The total supply of Pepe Coin is 420.69 trillion tokens. At launch, 93.1% of these tokens were added to the liquidity pool, with the liquidity provider (LP) tokens burned and the contract renounced to enhance security and trust. The remaining 6.9% is held in a multi-signature wallet for future use, such as exchange listings, liquidity pools, and bridges.
How to buy Pepe Coin
Pepe coin (PEPE) is available on several centralized exchanges. The most active trading occurs on Binance, with the PEPE/USDT pair, followed by Bybit. Other exchanges offering PEPE include OKX, Gate.io, and Coinbase.
To purchase PEPE:
- Choose an exchange: Select a platform that lists PEPE and operates in your region.
- Create an account: Register on the chosen exchange and complete any required identity verification.
- Deposit funds: Add funds to your account using available methods like bank transfer or credit/debit card.
- Buy PEPE: Navigate to the PEPE trading pair (e.g., PEPE/USDT) and execute your purchase.
- Secure your tokens: Transfer your PEPE to a personal crypto wallet for enhanced security.
Always exercise caution and conduct thorough research before investing in cryptocurrencies.
Best wallet options for PEPE
To store your PEPE securely, consider using wallets that support Ethereum-based tokens. Here are some options:
- MetaMask: A widely-used browser extension and mobile app that allows you to manage Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens like PEPE. It offers a user-friendly interface and integrates with decentralized applications (dApps).
- Trust Wallet: A mobile wallet supporting a wide range of cryptos, including ERC-20 tokens. It provides a simple interface and access to various dApps.
- Exodus Wallet: Available on desktop and mobile, Exodus supports multiple cryptocurrencies and offers an in-app exchange feature. It also integrates with Trezor hardware wallets for added security.
When choosing a wallet, consider factors like security, ease of use, and compatibility with your devices. Always download wallets from official sources to ensure authenticity and security.
Market performance and trends
Pepe Coin (PEPE) launched in April 2023. It started trading at $0.00000005685. By 1 May 2023, it reached an all-time high of $0.00000138. This fast increase was driven by retail interest and speculative trading, resulting in gains exceeding 7,000%.
In September 2023, PEPE’s price dipped to $0.0000006, marking its lowest point for the year. However, renewed investor enthusiasm led to a surge in late 2023. By December 2024, PEPE’s market capitalization surpassed $11bn, with the price reaching $0.00002716.
These fluctuations highlight the speculative nature of meme coins like PEPE. Investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough research before investing.
The development team behind the PEPE coin
PEPE was launched in April 2023 by an anonymous development team. The project’s website states that it operates without a formal team or structured development plan, emphasizing its community-driven nature.
However, in August 2023, Pauly, founder of NotLarvaLabs, alleged that Zachary Testa, a landscape photographer from Phoenix, Arizona, is the creator of Pepe Coin. Pauly claimed that Testa purchased a purple Lamborghini worth over $865,000 with earnings from PEPE.
However, these claims have not been substantiated, and Testa has not publicly confirmed any involvement with the project. In September 2023, the PEPE team announced the recruitment of new advisors to guide the project’s development.
Despite these additions, the core development team remains anonymous. The anonymity of the PEPE development team is consistent with the trend among meme coins, where creators often choose to remain unidentified. This approach emphasizes decentralization and community involvement but can also lead to challenges in accountability and transparency.
Risks and challenges of investing
Investing in Pepe Coin (PEPE), like other meme coins, carries significant risks and challenges. Here are some key considerations:
Volatility
Pepe’s price can experience extreme fluctuations in short timeframes. This volatility often attracts speculative investors but increases the risk of significant losses.
Lack of utility
Meme coins like Pepe typically lack intrinsic value or practical use cases. Their value is largely driven by market sentiment, community hype, and speculative trading rather than fundamental utility.
Anonymity of developers
The development team behind Pepe is anonymous. This can pose risks related to trust, transparency, and accountability, especially in cases of project mismanagement or exit scams.
Market saturation
The cryptocurrency market is crowded with meme coins, which can dilute interest and reduce long-term viability. Pepe competes with established meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu for attention and market share.
Regulatory risks
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are increasingly scrutinizing cryptocurrencies. Meme coins, often perceived as high-risk speculative assets, could face bans or restrictions in certain jurisdictions.
Lack of roadmap
Pepe has no formal development roadmap or utility-focused initiatives. This uncertainty makes it challenging to gauge its future potential or sustainability.
Liquidity risks
While Pepe is available on major exchanges, a sudden drop in demand or removal from exchanges can lead to liquidity issues, making it difficult to sell the token without incurring losses.
Community-driven hype
Pepe’s success is heavily dependent on social media buzz and community engagement. A shift in sentiment or a loss of interest can result in rapid price declines.
Potential for scams
The decentralized and anonymous nature of meme coins makes them susceptible to scams or rug pulls, where creators abandon the project after profiting.
No regulatory oversight
Unlike traditional investments, meme coins operate in a largely unregulated environment, offering limited protection to investors.
Investors should approach meme coins like Pepe with caution, conduct thorough research, and only invest amounts they can afford to lose. Diversification and understanding the speculative nature of such investments are crucial for risk management.
Comparison with other meme coins
Origin and inspiration
Pepe Coin is rooted in the cultural phenomenon of Pepe the Frog, a meme character created by Matt Furie in his comic series. The coin capitalizes on Pepe’s viral popularity within internet meme culture.
Dogecoin, on the other hand, emerged in 2013 as a joke based on the Doge meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog. It was intended to poke fun at the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. Shiba Inu, launched in 2020, entered the market as the ‘Dogecoin killer’, with a focus on community-driven growth and expanding its ecosystem.
Blockchain and technology
Pepe Coin operates as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, leveraging Ethereum’s ecosystem for security and smart contract functionality. Dogecoin uses its own blockchain, relying on a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism similar to Bitcoin but with faster block times and higher token issuance.
Shiba Inu is also built on Ethereum as an ERC-20 token but has expanded its offerings through ShibaSwap, a decentralized exchange, and NFT integration.
Tokenomics
Pepe Coin’s tokenomics are humorous and meme-driven, featuring a total supply of 420.69 trillion tokens. Dogecoin, in contrast, has no maximum supply, with 10,000 DOGE minted per block, resulting in inflationary tokenomics.
Shiba Inu began with a supply of 1 quadrillion tokens, though a substantial portion has been burned or locked away, introducing scarcity over time.
Community and hype
Pepe Coin thrives on meme culture and internet virality, driven by speculative trading and social media buzz. It lacks a formal development roadmap but enjoys strong community engagement.
Dogecoin has a long-established community and has gained mainstream recognition, largely thanks to endorsements from figures like Elon Musk. Shiba Inu, with its broader ecosystem, attracts users interested in decentralized finance, NFTs, and its multi-token system.
Utility and development
Pepe Coin remains primarily a speculative asset with no defined utility or development roadmap. Dogecoin, while initially created as a joke, has grown into a cryptocurrency with real-world applications, including payment adoption by companies like Tesla.
Shiba Inu is focused on expanding its ecosystem with DeFi solutions, a decentralized exchange, and its own Layer 2 solution, Shibarium, aimed at improving scalability and reducing fees.
Key differentiator
Pepe Coin’s main distinction lies in its pure embrace of humor and meme culture without aspiring to broader utility or ecosystem growth. Dogecoin has positioned itself as a payment-oriented cryptocurrency, while Shiba Inu is building a comprehensive ecosystem around DeFi and NFTs. Pepe Coin’s value remains tied to its community and the momentum of internet culture, making it unique among the three.
The future outlook for Pepe
PEPE has experienced significant volatility since its launch in April 2023, with its value largely driven by social media trends and speculative trading. In December 2024, analysts predict a modest upward movement. However, with the surge of Solana-based meme coins, Pepe will likely face major liquidations when new tokens are launched.
The coin’s future performance will depend on market sentiment, community engagement, and the broader cryptocurrency space. Investors should approach PEPE with caution, considering its speculative nature and the inherent risks associated with meme coins.
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01.
Is Pepe Coin a good investment?
Pepe Coin (PEPE) is a meme-based cryptocurrency that has experienced significant volatility since its launch in April 2023. Its value is primarily driven by social media trends and speculative trading, making it a high-risk investment. Potential investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough research before investing in PEPE.
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02.
How much is a Pepe Coin worth?
As of 9 December 2024, PEPE is trading at approximately $0.0000276 per coin.
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03.
Will Pepe Coin reach $1?
Given its vast supply of 420.69 trillion tokens, reaching $1 per coin would result in a market capitalization exceeding $420trillion, which is unrealistic. Analysts consider such a price target highly improbable.
