PEPE is a memecoin that has stormed the cryptocurrency world since its launch in April 2023. Inspired by the famous Pepe the Frog meme, it has seen explosive growth, reaching a market capitalization of several billion dollars. Learn what PEPE really is, its utility, and how to buy it in 2025!
What is PEPE ?
PEPE is a memecoin cryptocurrency
As an ERC-20 token operating on the Ethereum blockchain, PEPE benefits from the security and infrastructure of this established platform. With a market capitalization of approximately $3 billion
PEPE is characterized by its deflationary mechanism that involves burning a small portion of tokens during each transaction, gradually reducing the total supply and potentially creating upward pressure on the price in the long term.
The History of PEPE
The token’s history officially begins on April 14, 2023, when it was created on the Ethereum blockchain. Its launch occurred in a particular context where memecoins were experiencing renewed interest, especially after the success of Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB).
PEPE’s initial growth was spectacular : in just five days after its launch, its market capitalization exceeded $100 million. This meteoric rise can be attributed to the crypto community’s enthusiasm for memecoins and the immediate recognition of the Pepe the Frog character, already popular on the internet for more than a decade.
During 2023, PEPE experienced several cycles of rises and falls characteristic of memecoins, with extreme price variations that could reach several hundred percentage points in just a few days. Despite this volatility, the token gradually gained legitimacy with listings on major exchange platforms like Binance and Coinbase.
The year 2024 marked a consolidation phase for PEPE, with a more stable user base and an established presence in the crypto ecosystem. In 2025, the token continues to attract attention from investors looking for speculative opportunities in the memecoin sector.
Who Created the PEPE Memecoin ?
Although the Pepe the Frog meme was originally created by artist Matt Furie in 2005 for his comic book “Boy’s Club,” the PEPE token has no official connection to him. According to several sources, the creator of the PEPE memecoin is Zachary Testa, a landscape photographer who reportedly launched the project in April 2023.
Unlike many crypto projects, the team behind PEPE initially maintained a certain anonymity, a common practice in the memecoin universe. This approach aligns with the decentralized philosophy that often characterizes these projects, where the community plays a more important role than the founders.
The cryptocurrency launch occurred without a presale or developer allocation, meaning the creators had to purchase their tokens on the market like any other investor. This approach was perceived positively by the community, who saw it as a sign of fairness in the initial distribution.
What is the Purpose of PEPE Crypto ?
Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies that aim to solve specific problems or offer concrete services, PEPE has limited utility in terms of technical functionalities. Its primary function is to be a speculative asset
Speculation and Investment
The main use of this crypto lies in its potential for financial gain for investors. Its high volatility attracts traders looking for quick profits, while some long-term investors bet on increasing adoption of memecoins in the future.
Deflationary Mechanism
PEPE incorporates a token burning system during transactions, which progressively reduces the total supply. This deflationary mechanism aims to create artificial scarcity that could theoretically support the price in the long term, although this remains highly speculative.
Community Belonging
Owning PEPE also represents a form of community membership sharing a common interest in meme culture and cryptocurrencies. This social dimension should not be underestimated, as it constitutes a significant part of the value proposition of memecoins.
How Does the PEPE Crypto Work ?
PEPE is an ERC-20 token that operates exclusively on the Ethereum blockchain, the second-largest cryptocurrency platform in the world after Bitcoin. This infrastructure choice has important implications for the token’s operation and future.
Integration with the Ethereum ecosystem offers several significant advantages to PEPE :
Robust security : Ethereum benefits from a vast network of validators that secure the blockchain
Wide adoption : Immediate compatibility with thousands of wallets and decentralized applications
Liquidity : Easy access to decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Uniswap and SushiSwap
Interoperability : Possibility of interaction with other Ethereum-based protocols and services
Technically, this token is a smart contract deployed on Ethereum, which means that all transactions are recorded on this blockchain. The smart contract defines the fundamental rules of the token, including :
The total supply
The transfer mechanism
The burning system that progressively reduces the circulating supply
Each transaction requires gas fees paid in ETH, the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum
Advantages and Disadvantages of PEPE Crypto
First, let’s look at the advantages of PEPE crypto.
Advantages
High return potential : PEPE has demonstrated its ability to generate spectacular returns over short periods, with increases that can reach several hundred percentage points in just a few days.
Strong community : The token benefits from a base of passionate and active supporters on social media, helping to maintain interest and visibility for the project.
Deflationary mechanism : The automatic burning of a portion of tokens during transactions progressively reduces the total supply, potentially creating upward pressure on the price in the long term.
Significant liquidity : PEPE is listed on most major exchange platforms, facilitating buying, selling, and trading the token with significant daily volumes.
Disadvantages
Now let’s look at the disadvantages of the PEPE token.
Extreme volatility : Price fluctuations can be brutal and unpredictable, with drops as spectacular as rises, exposing investors to risks of significant losses.
Limited practical utility : Unlike cryptocurrencies focused on technological solutions, PEPE offers few concrete functionalities beyond its speculative value.
Regulatory risks : The uncertain regulatory environment around memecoins could negatively affect PEPE if restrictions were imposed in certain jurisdictions.
Dependence on market sentiment : The value of PEPE is strongly correlated with general crypto market trends and enthusiasm for memecoins, making its price vulnerable to changes in investor mood.
Price and Predictions for PEPE Memecoin
Let’s look at the current price and predictions for the number one frog memecoin
Price History
Since its launch in April 2023, PEPE has experienced a volatile price trajectory typical of memecoins:
April 2023 : Launch at a price close to $0.000000001, followed by a rapid rise
May 2023 : First major peak reaching approximately $0.00000431
2023-2024 : Several cycles of rises and falls with a general upward trend
Early 2025 : Stabilization in a range between $0.000007 and $0.000009
This evolution represents an appreciation of several thousand percentage points
Recent Performance
During the first months of 2025, PEPE has shown signs of consolidation after a period of high volatility in late 2024 :
January 2025 : Fluctuations between $0.000011 and $0.000013
February 2025 : Slight correction to approximately $0.000008
March-April 2025 : Gradual rebound toward $0.000007 to $0.000008
The current market capitalization of approximately $3 billion places PEPE among the top 40 cryptocurrencies in terms of valuation.
Predictions for 2025-2030
Analysts offer various projections for PEPE’s future :
End of 2025 : Estimates between $0.00001 and $0.00003 according to CoinCodex
2026-2027 : Range of $0.00002 to $0.00005 in a moderate scenario
2030 : Predictions varying from $0.00005 (conservative) to $0.0001 (optimistic)
These projections should be taken with a grain of salt. They are certainly too optimistic and depend on many unpredictable factors, including the evolution of the crypto market as a whole and continued interest in memecoins.
