The meme coin market is heating up once again, with Pepe (PEPE/USD) capturing the spotlight after a notable 3% gain in the past 24 hours and a 10% weekly surge. With momentum building and high-profile traders piling in, Pepe is no longer just a joke token—it's becoming a serious contender in the crypto narrative of 2025.
Currently trading at $0.00001497**, Pepe boasts a market capitalization of **$6.3 billion, placing it firmly among the top meme coins by valuation. While still trailing Shiba Inu’s $8.8 billion cap, Pepe’s rapid growth suggests it could close the gap sooner than expected—especially with rising on-chain activity and trader enthusiasm.
Why Traders Are Bullish on Pepe
One of the most vocal supporters of Pepe is Glauber Contessoto, famously known as the “Dogecoin Millionaire.” After turning a life-changing profit from early Dogecoin adoption, Contessoto recently revealed that his Pepe position has surged over $500,000 in value in just three months.
“This could be the best trade of my life,” Contessoto stated on social media, “unless Dogecoin hits $5 in 2025.”
Despite his enduring love for Dogecoin, he remains fully committed to Pepe for now, echoing a simple but powerful mantra: “Up only.”
His confidence isn’t isolated. Analysts and technical traders are spotting strong signals across Pepe’s price structure and on-chain metrics.
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Technical Outlook: Is Pepe Building for a Major Move?
Bluntz Capital, a well-known crypto trader and analyst, believes Pepe is forming an early-stage bullish Elliott Wave pattern. According to this framework, the asset has completed clean Wave 1 and Wave 2 structures at its recent lows—classic signs of accumulation before a larger impulse move.
If the full five-wave bullish sequence plays out, Bluntz suggests Pepe could see multiple major upside legs ahead. This kind of technical setup often precedes explosive rallies in speculative assets.
“PEPE looks like it’s setting up for something big,” Bluntz noted, highlighting increasing order book depth and declining sell pressure.
Such patterns resonate strongly in meme coin markets, where sentiment and technical structure often align during breakout phases.
On-Chain Activity Surges
Beyond headlines and price charts, real user activity tells a compelling story.
Trader and analyst Plazma reported that Pepe added 448 new holders in a single day, pushing the total number of unique holders to 436,915. This steady influx signals growing retail interest and long-term conviction.
IntoTheBlock data reinforces this trend:
- Large transaction volume up 26.3%
- Daily active addresses increased by 16.5%
These metrics reflect increased usage and engagement—not just price speculation. When users actively transact and hold, it strengthens the network effect and long-term viability.
Additionally:
- 71% of current Pepe holders are in profit
- Only 7% are at breakeven
- The remaining 22% are underwater
A high percentage of profitable addresses often precedes FOMO (fear of missing out) cycles, especially in volatile assets like meme coins.
Market Position and Competitive Landscape
Pepe’s trading volume tells another story of dominance. With **$3.1 billion in 24-hour volume**, it far exceeds Shiba Inu’s $483.9 million, indicating stronger liquidity and trader participation.
Plazma pointed out that a 40% price increase could propel Pepe past Shiba Inu into second place among meme coin valuations—currently led by Dogecoin at $35.3 billion.
While Dogecoin remains the king by market cap, its recent performance shows weakness: down 1.9% in 24 hours despite a modest 3.8% weekly gain. Meanwhile, Pepe continues to outperform both Dogecoin and Shiba Inu on multiple fronts.
| Cryptocurrency | Price | Market Cap | 24-Hour Trend | 7-Day Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepe (PEPE/USD) | $0.00001497 | $6.3B | +3% | +10% |
| Dogecoin (DOGE/USD) | $0.2374 | $35.3B | -1.9% | +3.8% |
| Shiba Inu (SHIB/USD) | $0.00001502 | $8.8B | -2.7% | -0.5% |
This shift suggests capital rotation—from established meme coins toward newer, higher-growth alternatives like Pepe.
Risk and Volatility: What Traders Should Know
Despite the optimism, meme coins remain highly speculative.
Coinglass data shows $6.9 million in liquidations** over the past 24 hours, with **$4.07 million coming from long positions. This indicates that while many are betting on upside, leverage can amplify losses during pullbacks.
Open interest in Pepe futures has spiked to $694.8 million, reflecting growing institutional and retail derivatives activity—but also increased risk exposure across the market.
As always, traders should exercise caution, use proper risk management, and avoid over-leveraging when participating in fast-moving markets.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is driving Pepe’s recent price increase?
A: A combination of strong on-chain growth, high-profile trader endorsements (like Glauber Contessoto), technical pattern formation (Elliott Wave), and rising trading volume is fueling Pepe’s momentum.
Q: Can Pepe overtake Shiba Inu in market cap?
A: Yes—it would require roughly a 40% price increase based on current valuations. With higher trading volume and faster holder growth, Pepe is well-positioned for such a move if bullish sentiment continues.
Q: How many people hold Pepe?
A: As of the latest data, there are 436,915 unique holders, with hundreds of new addresses joining daily—a sign of expanding community adoption.
Q: Is Pepe a good long-term investment?
A: Meme coins like Pepe are inherently speculative and better suited for short-to-medium term trading rather than long-term holding unless backed by ecosystem development. Always assess your risk tolerance before investing.
Q: Why are so many traders comparing Pepe to Dogecoin?
A: Because both started as community-driven joke tokens but gained massive traction due to social media hype and celebrity mentions. Glauber Contessoto’s success with Dogecoin makes his pivot to Pepe particularly influential.
Q: Where can I trade Pepe safely?
A: Major regulated exchanges offer Pepe trading pairs with strong liquidity and security protocols. Always choose platforms with proven track records in handling volatile assets.
The Bigger Picture: Meme Coins in 2025
Pepe’s rise reflects a broader trend: meme coins are evolving from internet jokes into legitimate speculative assets with real trading volume, active communities, and technical sophistication.
While they lack traditional fundamentals like revenue or utility, their value is driven by narrative strength, social momentum, and trader psychology—forces that can create outsized returns in short periods.
In this environment, early positioning—like Contessoto’s three-month-old entry—can lead to life-changing gains.
However, sustainability remains uncertain without utility upgrades or ecosystem expansion. For now, the focus is on momentum—and Pepe has plenty of it.
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Final Thoughts
Pepe’s 3% daily gain may seem modest, but within context—a 10% weekly rise, surging holder count, Elliott Wave formation, and endorsement from one of crypto’s most famous retail success stories—it signals something bigger.
Whether or not it becomes “the best trade of my life” for Contessoto, Pepe is proving that in crypto, narrative often moves markets faster than fundamentals.
For traders watching closely, this might be more than a meme—it could be a moment.
Disclosure: 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile; investments should align with personal risk tolerance.