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KuCoin PEPE Price Surge 2026: Why PEPE Jumped 30% and What Comes Next

2026/01/04 06:27:02
In the cryptocurrency market landscape, 2026 is widely seen as a turning point, when meme coins begin to shift from short-term speculation toward more structured and institutional-style holdings. As a leader in this sector, KuCoin PEPE showed strong momentum at the very start of 2026, with a single-day price surge of over 30%, reigniting global investor interest.
This article combines early January 2026 market data, technical analysis, and long-term projections from 2026 to 2030 to provide a well-rounded investment overview of KuCoin PEPE.
 
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PEPE Surges Over 30% at the Start of 2026

KuCoin PEPE Leads the Meme Coin Rally Toward a $69 Billion Market Cap

  1. Market Recap: What Drove the New Year Surge?

On January 2, 2026, while many investors were still enjoying the New Year holiday, PEPE began a strong rally first on the KuCoin exchange, with trading volume exceeding $1 billion within hours.

  1. A 30% Rally and Short Squeeze Effect

According to the KuCoin PEPE price page 👉 https://www.kucoin.com/price/PEPE
PEPE quickly recovered losses from the end of 2025. This sharp, upward price move was mainly caused by a short squeeze, where large numbers of short positions were forced to close.
Looking at the PEPE/USDT trading pair on KuCoin 👉 https://www.kucoin.com/trade/PEPE-USDT
the order book shows that early sell orders were rapidly absorbed. With little resistance, the price jumped quickly and briefly reached around $0.000015.

  1. Retail Investors Return in a More Structured Way

Unlike previous cycles, PEPE’s holder structure in 2026 is more balanced. Data shows that retail investor participation on major exchanges has increased noticeably.
This retail holding trend suggests that PEPE is no longer just a high-risk on-chain gamble. Instead, it is becoming a high-beta asset that some individual investors now include as a regular part of their portfolios.
 

  1. PEPE vs. PEPECOIN: Avoiding Common Confusion

When searching for “PEPE” on KuCoin, investors may see multiple assets with similar names.

  1. Identifying the Core Asset

  • PEPE (main asset): The original Ethereum-based meme coin, with the strongest liquidity and widest market consensus.
  • PEPECOIN: A related but separate project with a different ecosystem and community logic. While the names are similar, their price movements are not the same. Investors can compare using the PEPECOIN price page 👉 https://www.kucoin.com/price/PEPECOIN
Analysts note that in 2026, PEPE’s price correlation with Bitcoin has decreased, showing stronger independent price action. This suggests PEPE is moving from “following the market” to leading the meme coin sector.
 

  1. Long-Term Outlook (2026–2030): How High Can PEPE Go?

For longer-term investors, PEPE price predictions for 2026 are increasingly based on data models rather than speculation. These models track social activity, wallet growth, and on-chain participation.

  1. Valuation Path Toward a $69 Billion Market Cap

Some analysts believe that if global liquidity continues to improve in 2026, PEPE could repeat the success of top meme coins from previous cycles.
Under more aggressive growth scenarios, PEPE’s peak market value in 2026 could approach $69 billion. Even conservative estimates suggest an average 2026 price near $0.000012.

  1. Key Technical Support Levels

From a long-term risk management perspective, the 200-day moving average is trending upward. As long as PEPE stays above key support levels, the bullish structure remains intact.
Investors can use KuCoin’s real-time PEPE market data to watch for large buy orders and spot early signs of possible pullbacks.
 

  1. Why KuCoin Is a Top Choice for Trading PEPE in 2026

  • stPEPE Staking Rewards: In 2026, KuCoin upgraded its Earn products. By holding PEPE and participating in KuCoin Earn, users can earn stPEPE rewards, helping reduce the psychological pressure of long-term holding.
  • Whale Activity Monitoring: KuCoin tools allow users to track large PEPE wallet movements, helping investors see whether institutions are accumulating or large holders are distributing.
  • Fast and Stable Trading: For users searching “how to buy PEPE on KuCoin,” the platform’s matching engine is designed to handle high volatility, allowing trades to execute smoothly even during sharp price swings.
 

  1. A More Supportive Macro Environment in 2026

When evaluating five-year value prospects for meme coins, regulation plays an important role. In 2026, clearer crypto regulatory frameworks have made highly liquid assets like PEPE more attractive.
In some cases, small corporate treasuries are beginning to view PEPE as an optional alternative reserve asset, reflecting a shift in perception.
 

Conclusion: A Second Chance in the Meme Coin Cycle

The correction at the end of 2025 created room for PEPE’s strong rebound in early 2026. As the community saying goes: “You can’t kill the Frog.”
KuCoin PEPE’s strong January performance may be only the beginning. Whether you are starting your first journey into buying PEPE on KuCoin, or holding with a long-term vision, 2026 could become a key year in the financial evolution of meme culture.