What is Pepe (PEPE)?

By CMC AI
06 September 2025 08:49PM (UTC+0)

TLDR

Pepe (PEPE) is a deflationary memecoin on Ethereum, created as a tribute to the Pepe the Frog internet meme. It embraces its identity as a “pure” meme token with no utility, prioritizing community engagement and viral appeal.

  1. Meme-driven origin – Built around the Pepe the Frog meme, leveraging internet culture for growth.

  2. No-tax policy – Transactions occur without fees, emphasizing simplicity and accessibility.

  3. Anonymous development – Launched by an unnamed team, common in meme-driven projects.

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

PEPE openly declares it has no intrinsic utility, positioning itself as a cultural artifact rather than a functional blockchain project. Its primary goal is to capitalize on meme coin popularity, inspired by predecessors like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. The project leans into its irreverent identity, using social media (notably Twitter) to drive engagement and foster a community of “believers” in meme culture (CoinMarketCap).

2. Technology & Tokenomics

As an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, PEPE benefits from Ethereum’s security and liquidity. Its deflationary model burns a portion of tokens with each transaction, theoretically increasing scarcity over time. The total supply is fixed at 420.69 trillion tokens, a nod to internet humor. Unlike many meme coins, PEPE enforces zero transaction taxes, appealing to traders seeking frictionless swaps.

3. Community & Roadmap

PEPE’s growth hinges on viral marketing and exchange listings. Its roadmap includes phases like trending on social media, securing tier-1 exchange listings (achieved on Binance, KuCoin, etc.), and a vague “meme takeover” vision. The project’s 2023 surge to a $1.6B market cap demonstrated meme coins’ capacity for rapid, hype-driven growth, though sustainability remains unproven.

Conclusion

PEPE is a meme-first cryptocurrency that thrives on cultural relevance rather than technical innovation. While its deflationary mechanics and exchange accessibility provide structure, its long-term viability depends entirely on sustained community enthusiasm. Could PEPE’s “anti-utility” ethos redefine value in crypto, or will it fade as newer memes emerge?

CMC AI can make mistakes. Not financial advice.