Pepe Power! Meme Coin Surges on Back of GameStop Nostalgia

On May 15, 2024

The internet’s resident amphibian is back in the spotlight, but this time Pepe the Frog isn’t gracing troll forums – he’s maneuvering his way to the top of the cryptocurrency charts. PEPE, the meme coin named after the internet legend, is experiencing a historic surge, fueled by a potent mix of nostalgia and retail investor fervor.

From Backwater To Bullfrog: PEPE’s Rise

PEPE’s recent ascent is nothing short of meteoric. Trading volume has skyrocketed by an impressive 300% in the past 24 hours, with the price reaching an all-time high. This dramatic rise coincides with a resurgence in Gamestop (GME) stock, leading many to believe 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 acted 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 speak, are also diving headfirst into the frenzy. On-chain data reveals a whale recently splashing out 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 notorious for their wild volatility. Their value is often built on hype and fleeting internet trends, not robust financial fundamentals. This means a sudden shift in sentiment could trigger a dramatic price crash, leaving investors holding the Pepe bag.