PEPE Whale activity has reignited interest in the memecoin market as a major holder withdrew over 2 trillion PEPE tokens from Binance, valued at $29 million. Reported on May 17, 2025, this move has driven price surges and trading volume, spotlighting the token’s volatility. This article explores the whale’s transactions, market impact, and the broader crypto ecosystem dynamics.
Massive PEPE Token Withdrawals
A PEPE Whale emerged from two years of dormancy, executing significant transactions that shook the memecoin market. On May 17, Lookonchain reported a major PEPE withdrawal. The investor moved 1.79 trillion PEPE, worth $22.23 million, from Binance. They transferred the tokens to a newly activated wallet. The next day, the same holder withdrew 420 billion more, valued at $5.39 million. In total, they moved 2.21 trillion tokens within 24 hours.
These withdrawals reduced Binance’s PEPE token reserves by approximately 2%, signaling a deliberate accumulation strategy. By transferring to a self-custody wallet, the investor suggests confidence in the token’s long-term value, shifting from short-term speculation to a buy-and-hold approach. Such moves often influence market sentiment, as seen in the token’s recent price action.
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Market Surge and Derivatives Impact
The PEPE Whale’s actions fueled a memecoin market rally, with PEPE tokens climbing 10% in 24 hours to $0.00001345, per market data. This reflects an 87.5% gain over the past month, underscoring the token’s volatility. The surge impacted the derivatives market, with $2 million in short positions liquidated in 24 hours, alongside $907,000 in long trader losses, according to CoinGlass.
Open interest (OI) in PEPE futures jumped 15% to $500 million, the highest since January, indicating heightened trader activity. OI measures the value of active futures contracts, serving as a gauge of market sentiment. The PEPE Whale’s moves have positioned the token as a focal point in the crypto ecosystem, drawing comparisons to other leading memecoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.
Broader Market Context and Sentiment
The PEPE Whale’s transactions align with a vibrant crypto ecosystem, where altcoins have risen 30–100% amid U.S. policy shifts and stable Fed rates. Online discussions show excitement about the whale’s moves. Some users speculate on further accumulation. Others, however, warn about possible price drops. They point to the token’s high volatility as a concern. The withdrawals highlight PEPE’s growing prominence among memecoins, despite its lower market cap compared to top players.
Conclusion
The PEPE Whale’s withdrawal of 2.21 trillion PEPE tokens worth $29 million from Binance has electrified the memecoin market, driving a 10% price surge and $500 million in open interest. As the crypto ecosystem thrives, this strategic accumulation underscores PEPE’s rising status. However, volatility risks remain, urging investors to approach the stablecoin ecosystem with caution in this dynamic market.
