Pepe (PEPE), the meme-inspired cryptocurrency that captured global attention in 2023, is showing renewed signs of momentum in 2025. Trading volume has surged nearly 41% to $2.58 billion, signaling growing market interest and potential for a new price rally. At the center of this movement is James Wynn, a well-known trader who recently reopened a leveraged long position on PEPE with 10x leverage—mirroring a previous trade that reportedly earned him $26 million on HyperLiquid.
With whales accumulating, derivatives activity spiking, and technical indicators turning bullish, investors are asking: Is PEPE poised for another major surge?
👉 Discover how top traders are positioning for the next crypto surge.
Derivative Market Signals Growing Bullish Sentiment
The rise in trading volume isn’t happening in isolation. Data from Coinglass reveals that open interest in PEPE futures has increased by 10%, reaching an all-time high of $700 million. Open interest—the total number of outstanding derivative contracts—acts as a barometer for market participation and trader conviction.
When open interest rises alongside price or volume, it often confirms the strength of a trend. In PEPE’s case, the spike suggests that more traders are entering positions, anticipating significant price movement.
Further reinforcing the bullish narrative is the funding rate. The open interest-weighted funding rate has climbed to 0.0118%, indicating that long positions (bets on price increases) dominate the market. On Binance, 65% of traders are holding longs, resulting in a long-to-short ratio of 1.86. This imbalance highlights strong trader confidence in upward momentum.
James Wynn’s current position, already up $200,000 in profit, aligns with this broader market sentiment. His past success with PEPE adds credibility to his current move, potentially influencing other large players to follow suit.
Whale Activity Hints at a Supply Squeeze
Beyond retail and leveraged traders, major investors—commonly referred to as “whales”—are quietly building large PEPE positions. According to blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain, a dormant wallet with significant crypto holdings recently became active, withdrawing 1.79 trillion PEPE from Binance on May 17. Days later, the same whale added another 420 billion tokens, bringing their total holdings to 2.21 trillion PEPE.
At current prices, this accumulation represents approximately $29.28 million in value—demonstrating serious conviction in PEPE’s future. While 2.21 trillion tokens may seem small against PEPE’s total supply of 420 trillion, concentrated holdings can have an outsized impact on liquidity and price volatility.
When whales accumulate during consolidation phases, it often precedes a supply squeeze—a scenario where available tokens for sale diminish, increasing buying pressure and pushing prices higher. With social sentiment rising and traders like Wynn publicizing their positions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), more whales could enter the market, accelerating this effect.
👉 See how real-time on-chain data can help spot the next big crypto move.
Technical Analysis: Can PEPE Break Key Resistance?
From a technical perspective, PEPE is attempting to break out of a consolidation phase below $0.00001520. This level has acted as strong resistance since its last major rally, which saw PEPE’s market cap grow by $2 billion amid a 50% price spike.
On the weekly chart, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits near 60—firmly in bullish territory but not yet overbought. This suggests there’s room for further upside before momentum potentially stalls.
Additionally, Bollinger Bands are beginning to widen, indicating increasing volatility and the potential for a breakout. The current price remains far from the upper band, which historically has preceded strong upward moves when accompanied by rising volume.
If PEPE successfully breaks above $0.00001520 with strong volume confirmation, the next major target lies at its all-time high of $0.000024—a move representing nearly a 100% increase from current levels. Given the speculative nature of meme coins and the influence of social trading trends, even larger gains cannot be ruled out in a FOMO-driven rally.
Key Price Levels to Watch:
- Support: $0.00001350 (recent consolidation floor)
- Resistance: $0.00001520 (breakout trigger)
- Target: $0.000024 (all-time high)
FAQ: Common Questions About PEPE Price Prediction
Q: What is driving the recent surge in PEPE price?
A: The surge is fueled by increased trading volume, rising open interest in futures, whale accumulation, and renewed social media attention from high-profile traders like James Wynn.
Q: Is PEPE a good long-term investment?
A: PEPE lacks intrinsic utility compared to traditional cryptocurrencies. Its value is largely driven by community sentiment and speculation, making it more suitable for short-term trading than long-term holding.
Q: How does whale activity affect PEPE’s price?
A: When large holders accumulate tokens, it reduces circulating supply. This can lead to a supply squeeze, especially during periods of high demand, pushing prices upward.
Q: What happens if PEPE breaks $0.00001520?
A: A confirmed breakout above this resistance level could trigger automated trading algorithms and attract new buyers, potentially accelerating gains toward the all-time high of $0.000024.
Q: Are meme coins like PEPE risky?
A: Yes. Meme coins are highly volatile and often lack fundamentals. They are susceptible to rapid price swings based on social trends, making them speculative assets.
Broader Market Context: Meme Coins vs. Utility-Driven Altcoins
While PEPE captures headlines with its explosive rallies and trader drama, it exists within a larger crypto ecosystem where utility-driven projects are gaining traction. Unlike meme coins, which rely heavily on hype, newer altcoins are focusing on real-world applications—from decentralized finance to cross-border payments.
That said, meme coins continue to play a role in market cycles, often acting as early indicators of renewed risk appetite among retail investors. Their low entry price and viral nature make them attractive during bull runs.
👉 Explore high-potential altcoins with strong fundamentals and growth catalysts.
Final Thoughts: Will PEPE Rally Again?
The current data paints a compelling picture: rising volume, increasing open interest, whale accumulation, and favorable technicals all point to potential upside for PEPE. James Wynn’s high-leverage long position may serve as both catalyst and confirmation of growing market confidence.
However, investors should remain cautious. Meme coins like PEPE are inherently speculative and prone to sharp reversals once momentum fades. While a breakout above $0.00001520 could unlock gains toward $0.000024, sustained growth will require broader adoption or narrative shifts—neither of which are guaranteed.
For traders seeking exposure to PEPE’s volatility, risk management is crucial. For those looking beyond hype-driven assets, diversifying into projects with tangible use cases may offer more sustainable opportunities in the evolving crypto landscape.
Core Keywords:
Pepe price prediction, PEPE price forecast 2025, meme coin rally, James Wynn PEPE trade, PEPE whale accumulation, PEPE technical analysis, crypto derivatives market