PEPE token’s rapid rise to a $502M market cap highlights memecoin mania, with early investors cashing out and derivative markets launching.
The cryptocurrency market has been taken by storm as memecoin frenzy grips traders, with the PEPE token, inspired by the “pepe the frog” meme, skyrocketing 2,100% since it was introduced last month. This incredible growth led the PEPE market cap to an impressive $502 million. Ethereum block explorer Etherscan reveals that PEPE has attracted approximately 75,000 holders, with multiple wallets holding over $5 million worth of the tokens, not considering those on centralized exchanges.
The memecoin witnessed an astounding 350% increase in value just over the recent weekend. In reaction to this rapid ascent, BitMEX, a prominent derivatives exchange, unveiled plans on Tuesday to list perpetual swaps for the PEPE token. This move will allow traders to exploit the token’s volatility and trade with leverage as high as 50x.
🐸PEPE Perpetual Swaps coming 🐸
Tomorrow, 3 May at 04:00 UTC, two new perpetual listings will arrive at BitMEX$PEPE $USD$PEPE $USDT
Both with up to 50x leverage.
More info & contract spec: https://t.co/I24u414Zi5
What direction will you trade them? Let us know below 👇 pic.twitter.com/N11jN2268O
— BitMEX (@BitMEX) May 2, 2023
Early Adopters Profit from PEPE Token Boom
As the hype surrounding the PEPE token intensifies, several early investors have seized the opportunity to cash out. A notable instance involved a trader who offloaded $2 million worth of PEPE tokens utilizing Metamask swaps, incurring a $350,000 loss due to a 25% slippage caused by insufficient liquidity.
Dumping $2m worth of $PEPE in one shot and getting slipped 40% using Metamask swap which has ridiculous fees is definitely one way to exit your position pic.twitter.com/QfMetajYHD
— David G 🏹 (@d_gilz) April 30, 2023
Another investor temporarily plunged the token’s price by nearly 50% after liquidating $678,000 worth of PEPE.
someone just nuked PEPE with a $678k sell using metamask swap lolhttps://t.co/BzRtO2Sgor pic.twitter.com/KbJGzusMXG
— Kevin Peng (@pengcapital) April 30, 2023
The price fluctuations of the PEPE token echo the historical volatility of dogecoin, which has seen dramatic price drops on numerous occasions as enthusiasm faded. In light of this, the PEPE token might encounter similar obstacles when derivative markets become active, as traders may attempt to profit from a historically fickle trend.
What the Future Holds for Memecoins
The astonishing success of the PEPE token underscores the impact of memecoins in today’s cryptocurrency environment. As derivative markets start trading PEPE and similar memecoins, the long-term performance of these assets in the face of heightened speculation and potential price manipulation remains uncertain.
Crypto traders and investors must exercise caution when dealing with these volatile assets and thoroughly understand the risks involved before making any investment decisions. The memecoin phenomenon may serve as an opportunity for some, but for others, it could lead to significant financial losses. By staying informed and maintaining a level-headed approach, investors can better navigate the unpredictable world of memecoins and other emerging cryptocurrency trends.
