The meme coin market is heating up again, and Pepe (PEPE) is leading the charge. With a stunning 58% surge in just 24 hours, PEPE is capturing investor attention like never before. Fueling this momentum are major exchange listings, whale accumulation, and growing speculation that Pepe could reach the same stratospheric levels seen by Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) during the 2021 bull run.
Why Is Pepe Surging?
Pepe’s recent rally isn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s backed by tangible on-chain activity and expanding market access. The cryptocurrency saw a significant boost after being listed on major platforms including Coinbase and Robinhood, dramatically increasing its visibility and liquidity.
👉 Discover how major exchange listings are reshaping meme coin dynamics.
According to on-chain analytics platform Lookonchain, large investors—commonly known as "whales"—are actively accumulating PEPE. One wallet withdrew 197.39 billion PEPE (worth approximately $4.8 million) from Binance following the Coinbase and Robinhood listings. Another investor scooped up a massive 751.59 billion PEPE, valued at $17.89 million, as reported by Onchain Lens. This kind of institutional-grade buying suggests strong confidence in Pepe’s long-term potential.
Outpacing Dogecoin and Shiba Inu
While Dogecoin and Shiba Inu remain dominant players in the meme coin space, Pepe has outperformed both over the past week in terms of price momentum and trading volume.
- Pepe (PEPE): +102.7% weekly gain, $22.2 billion in 24-hour trading volume
- Dogecoin (DOGE): +103.6% weekly gain, $21.7 billion volume
- Shiba Inu (SHIB): +35.3% weekly gain, $3.4 billion volume
Despite Dogecoin maintaining a higher market cap at $57.5 billion, Pepe’s explosive growth—surpassing Solana in daily trading volume—signals a shift in trader sentiment. At a current market cap of $8.9 billion, many analysts believe Pepe still has significant room to grow.
Analysts Predict a Generational Run
Crypto traders and influencers are increasingly vocal about Pepe’s upside potential.
Smiley Capital, a well-known crypto trader, believes Pepe could reach “SHIB/DOGE 2021 levels,” forecasting a 5x to 10x return from current prices. He refers to this potential peak as a “generational top,” suggesting that missing this rally could become one of the biggest regrets of the current market cycle.
Daniel Got Hits highlights the significance of Robinhood’s listing, noting that while Coinbase caters primarily to crypto-native users, Robinhood brings Pepe to a much broader audience—“basically every dude under 40 in America.” This mainstream exposure could be the catalyst needed for viral adoption.
MaxBecauseBTC echoes this optimism, calling Pepe the “why didn’t I buy it” asset of this bull cycle. He predicts Pepe could eventually hit a $50 billion market cap, which would represent nearly a 6x increase from its current valuation.
Key On-Chain Metrics Signal Strong Momentum
Pepe’s fundamentals are strengthening alongside price action:
- New Holders: Over 1,787 new addresses added in a single day (as of November 13)
- Trading Volume: Surpassed $18 billion, briefly overtaking Solana
- Exchange Listings: Now live on Coinbase, Robinhood, and Upbit Korea (effective November 14)
The addition of Upbit Korea support further expands Pepe’s reach into one of the most active retail trading markets in Asia, potentially unlocking a new wave of demand.
👉 See how global exchange support can accelerate crypto adoption.
Could Pepe Match 2021’s Meme Coin Giants?
In 2021, both Dogecoin and Shiba Inu experienced meteoric rises fueled by social media hype, celebrity endorsements, and retail investor frenzy.
- Dogecoin surged over 12,000% that year, reaching a peak market cap of around $88 billion.
- Shiba Inu grew from near-zero to over $40 billion in market value within months.
Pepe, launched in 2023 as a tribute to the iconic internet frog meme, lacks the same level of celebrity backing—so far—but its community-driven growth and strategic exchange listings are creating similar conditions for explosive growth.
With a current market cap of $8.9 billion, even reaching half of Shiba Inu’s 2021 peak would represent substantial upside. A move toward $50 billion, as some predict, would place Pepe firmly among the top-tier cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Community and Ecosystem Growth
Beyond price and trading data, Pepe’s ecosystem is expanding:
- Developer Activity: Increasing GitHub commits and community-led projects
- Merchandising: Unofficial merchandise and NFT collections are gaining traction
- Social Engagement: Twitter and Telegram communities are growing rapidly
This grassroots energy mirrors early-stage movements seen with DOGE and SHIB, where organic community enthusiasm drove long-term sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is driving Pepe’s recent price surge?
A: The surge is primarily driven by listings on major exchanges like Coinbase and Robinhood, increased whale accumulation, and rising retail interest. These factors have boosted liquidity and visibility.
Q: How does Pepe compare to Dogecoin and Shiba Inu?
A: While Dogecoin has a larger market cap and Shiba Inu has more established ecosystem projects, Pepe is outperforming both in short-term price momentum and trading volume growth.
Q: Can Pepe really reach $50 billion in market cap?
A: It’s possible. If current trends continue and adoption grows through platforms like Robinhood, a $50 billion valuation could be achievable during this bull cycle—though it depends on sustained momentum.
Q: Is Pepe a good long-term investment?
A: As with all meme coins, Pepe carries high volatility and risk. However, its growing community, exchange support, and whale interest suggest it may have more staying power than earlier meme tokens.
Q: What risks should investors watch for?
A: Key risks include regulatory scrutiny, market saturation of meme coins, and reliance on sentiment rather than utility. Always conduct due diligence before investing.
Q: Where can I buy Pepe safely?
A: PEPE is available on major exchanges including Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Robinhood, and Upbit—making it accessible to both U.S. and international investors.
Pepe’s journey is far from over. With strong on-chain activity, expanding exchange support, and growing analyst confidence, many believe this meme coin is just beginning its ascent. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, the parallels to Dogecoin and Shiba Inu’s 2021 breakout are hard to ignore.
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