The euphoria surrounding the latest memecoin, Pepe (PEPE), appears to be at an all-time high, with the frog-themed cryptocurrency storming the markets and witnessed an impressive 85% rise in just 24 hours. It’s impressive to see a meme-centric token reach a staggering $1 billion market cap within just three weeks of its launch on April 14, 2023.
Despite the overwhelming popularity, one cannot help but feel a pang of skepticism. Take, for instance, the official website for the cryptocurrency, which explicitly states that the PEPE token carries no intrinsic value or expectation of financial return. With no formal team or roadmap in place, the coin is essentially destined to be “useless” and is presumably for entertainment purposes only.
This recent surge in interest mirrors the frenzied activity seen around Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) back in 2021. Thanks to the vocal backing from personalities like Elon Musk, DOGE soared by over 23,000% during its stint. SHIB, too, leveraged DOGE’s popularity for a remarkable boost of over 1,250% during the same period.
While the phenomenon around memecoins is undoubtedly intriguing, potential investors must exercise caution as these tokens are marred by high risks and extreme price volatility. Delving deeper into the on-chain activities of Pepe insiders presents a worrying picture, with five addresses linked to the Pepe team seemingly profiting to the tune of $1.23 million in a barely liquid market. The Lookonchain report highlights how these insiders purchased 8.87 trillion PEPE at low prices and subsequently sold over 90% of their holdings on Uniswap for substantial gains.
It’s essential to tread cautiously, keeping in mind that the top PEPE holders are notoriously centralized exchanges. According to data analyzed by an analyst known as “008.eth,” non-exchange PEPE whales have seemingly reduced their positions recently, aligning with significant profit-taking and the price correction on May 3.
In conclusion, while the meteoric rise of Pepe and its memecoin counterparts might be amusing, potential investors must remember to strike a balance between skepticism and enthusiasm. The volatile nature of these tokens, with the lack of any real-world application, could leave investors high and dry in the absence of careful considerations. After all, in the roller-coaster world of memecoins, fortune favors the cautious.
Source: Cointelegraph