The meme-inspired cryptocurrency PEPE has faced significant volatility, losing nearly 6% of its value over the past 24 hours, dropping to a low of $0.0000107. This decline comes even as large investors appear to be increasing their holdings. Despite the downturn, trading volumes surged into the trillions of tokens, indicating heightened trading activity but a failure to find solid support against selling pressures.
This decline is not occurring in isolation; the broader cryptocurrency market is also experiencing a drawdown. The CoinDesk 20 (CD20) index has seen a loss of 1.8% overall, with specific segments like memecoins particularly afflicted. The CoinDesk Memecoin Index dropped by nearly 5% during the same period, while bitcoin reported a more modest decline of 0.8%.
The recent downturn takes place just days after speculation surrounding an “altcoin season” gained momentum in cryptocurrency circles, linked to the Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest rate cut later this week. This potential economic shift was initially seen as favorable for riskier assets, yet the prevailing market trend suggests otherwise.
Data compiled by Nansen reveals a mixed sentiment among PEPE holders. Within the past week, the top 100 non-exchange addresses on the Ethereum network that hold PEPE tokens have seen an increase in their holdings by 1.38%, bringing the total to 307.33 trillion tokens. In contrast, exchange wallets experienced a 1.45% reduction in their holdings, dropping to 254.4 trillion tokens, indicating that larger investors might be moving tokens off exchanges in response to market conditions.
Technical analysis of PEPE’s price action indicates a market retreat. Prices fell from $0.000011484 to $0.000010782, with sellers appearing dominant in the market. A brief resistance test saw the price peak at $0.000011732, but trading volume surged to 5.5 trillion tokens at this level, ultimately leading to a downward trend. The level of support tested showed signs of weakness, with the token dipping to $0.000010746 and trading activity soaring to 7.7 trillion tokens, further reinforcing a bearish sentiment among traders.
The cryptocurrency’s price experienced significant whipsaw action, fluctuating within a 9% intraday range, which reflects the uncertainty among traders regarding the viability of current support levels. This period of indecision adds to the overall cautious sentiment that has pervaded the market amidst broader economic concerns.