The Pepe cryptocurrency (PEPE) is a vivid example of meme coins—a class of digital assets that arise mainly as a joke or based on popular internet memes, rather than through innovative technologies or fundamental utility. Launched on the Ethereum blockchain in April 2023, PEPE quickly attracted significant attention from the crypto community and investors, reaching billion-dollar market capitalizations in a short period of time.
Its popularity is based not on traditional financial metrics or technical advantages, but rather on viral spread, an active community of enthusiasts, and the excitement surrounding internet culture. This phenomenon highlights how market sentiment and social dynamics can play a crucial role in the value and perception of certain cryptocurrencies, which significantly distinguishes them from traditional financial assets. It also demonstrates how rapidly the landscape of digital finance is changing, opening up new categories of assets driven by cultural trends.
