What to Know
- Vanguard now allows trading of major crypto ETFs, sparking higher speculative flows into meme coins like PEPE.
- The SEC’s proposed “innovation exemption” lifts pressure on altcoins, helping fuel the broader market rebound.
- PEPE climbed above its 7-day SMA, with RSI rising and Bollinger Bands tightening, pointing to potential continuation.
Pepe (PEPE) has moved up a strong 18.8% in the last 24 hours, which is more than the 6.95% gain in the larger crypto market. Analysts say that this big jump comes at a time when people are more hopeful about institutional crypto adoption and a renewed interest in coins that are high-risk and high-reward.
Vanguard’s Big Pivot
The biggest driver behind PEPE’s rally seems to be the recent decision by Vanguard to finally let its clients trade crypto ETFs and funds. As of December 2, Vanguard, managing $10.4 trillion, opened its doors to products tied to major digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana. Though PEPE isn’t directly included in these offerings, the move carries symbolic weight. Futures open interest for PEPE surged 33% to $300M+, reflecting leveraged bets and pushing futures open interest up sharply.
For years, Vanguard avoided anything to do with crypto, worrying that volatility didn’t belong in long-term portfolios. Now, by allowing regulated crypto ETFs, Vanguard has signalled that crypto is becoming increasingly acceptable even to traditionally conservative institutions. That shift appears to have revived speculative demand and money seems to be flowing back into risk-on assets like meme coins.
Regulatory Mood Lightens
At the same time, the regulations seem to be getting friendlier. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, led by Paul Atkins, has suggested an “innovation exemption” for crypto products. This is a planned regulatory easing that should start early next year. This could allow more experimental crypto projects to run with less oversight.
Still, this doesn’t guarantee long-term safety. Some in the crypto community note that coins like PEPE, with little to no real-world utility, remain vulnerable if regulatory clarity doesn’t hold. Meme coins tend to bounce the hardest when the mood shifts to “let’s gamble,” and PEPE is no exception. Alongside PEPE, other altcoins such as Solana (SOL) and XRP have seen gains signaling a broader rebound across speculative crypto assets.
PEPE Technicals
PEPE’s price broke above its 7-day SMA $0.00000454 but remains below the 30-day SMA $0.00000503. The RSI is at 41.87 and it rises consistently out of oversold ground, which is indicative of long-term strength following the previous fall in the week before. The rising slope shows healthier demand and reinforces the improving character of this rebound.
The Bollinger Bands are still narrowing and this squeeze indicates the stable movement over the recent candles. Tight bands can be seen in advance of stronger directional changes and assist in forming a purer analysis structure.
Pepe price is located in the mid-region and this location facilitates a positive recovery period. Such climate reinforces the debate of a bigger extension and gives a balanced argument of a possible 50% rally as the market conditions continue to pick up, supporting a positive long-term Pepe price forecast. A close above the 38.2% Fibonacci level ($0.00000566) could signal further upside.
Final Thoughts
Vanguard’s move opens a door for millions of retail and institutional investors to dip their toes into crypto via regulated ETFs. That makes it easier for people who were once skeptical to participate and the regulatory softening under the SEC gives hope that innovation and not only enforcement could shape the future. That tends to draw in speculative money, which often drives meme-coin rallies. PEPE’s nearly 19% leap shows meme coins are still very much driven by sentiment and liquidity, not fundamentals. Gains can be fast but so can losses.
Also Read: Solana Price Forms Double-Bottom Structure as Bulls Eye $145 Breakout
