Meme-driven crypto tokens: Analyzing the rise of Based Eggman and PEPE

Meme-powered crypto tokens like PEPE and Based Eggman are reshaping the altcoin market by combining internet culture with speculative finance. PEPE was inspired by the “Pepe Frog” meme, which soared to $1.6 billion in 2023 thanks to the viral spread of social media and the deflationary token economics; while Based Eggman’s market value remains unclear and has limited data. Both highlight how cultural narratives drive value, but reliance on hype brings volatility and risks, highlighting the challenges of evaluating assets in the absence of traditional fundamentals.