After more than a year of public hesitation and controversy, Coinbase International has officially announced the listing of PEPE on its advanced derivatives platform. The move marks a significant shift in the exchange’s stance toward the once-controversial meme coin, now welcoming it with support for 1000x leveraged perpetual futures contracts.
This development is not just a milestone for PEPE holders—it signals broader acceptance of meme coins within regulated financial ecosystems. As one of the most compliance-focused crypto exchanges globally, Coinbase’s decision carries weight across markets, regulators, and investor sentiment.
PEPE Enters the Coinbase Ecosystem
On April 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. UTC, PEPE perpetual futures went live on Coinbase Advanced, opening new avenues for traders seeking high-leverage exposure to the popular memecoin. The contract, labeled 1000PEPE-PERP, allows traders to speculate on price movements with up to 1000x leverage—a feature typically reserved for more established digital assets.
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The announcement was made via the official @coinbasetraders Twitter account, confirming:
"We are adding support for PEPE perpetual future on Coinbase Advanced. The opening of our 1000PEPE-PERP markets will begin on or after 9:30am UTC on 18 APR 2024."
Market reaction was immediate. Within minutes, PEPE’s price surged nearly 10%, briefly touching a daily high of $0.000007502** before settling slightly below **$0.000007. The rally reflected renewed confidence among retail and institutional traders alike.
With a current market cap exceeding $3 billion, PEPE ranks among the top four meme coins by valuation—alongside Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Solana-based Dogwifhat (WIF). Its inclusion on Coinbase International underscores growing demand for speculative assets that blend internet culture with decentralized finance.
A Shift in Stance: From Controversy to Inclusion
The decision raises an important question: Did Coinbase change its position on PEPE?
Just over a year ago, Coinbase faced backlash after sending customer emails that labeled Pepe the Frog—the mascot behind the token—as an alt-right hate symbol. While the imagery had been co-opted by extremist groups in the past, the broader PEPE community argued that the character originated as a harmless cartoon and had since been reclaimed by meme culture.
Public sentiment turned sharply against Coinbase. Users flooded social media with memes mocking CEO Brian Armstrong, dubbing him “Clownbase” and questioning the exchange’s consistency.
"Less than a year ago you mocked the project and falsely claimed that Pepe the Frog was a hate symbol… but NOW you are adding it to your exchange?" — @Pauly0x
Despite no public apology or correction from Coinbase, the listing of PEPE perpetuals suggests a strategic pivot—one driven by market demand rather than ideological alignment.
Why This Matters
Coinbase’s reputation rests heavily on regulatory compliance and cautious asset selection. By contrast, many other top-tier exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and Bybit have long supported spot and derivatives trading for PEPE.
The delay in adoption made Coinbase an outlier. Now, its inclusion of PEPE perpetuals aligns it with industry trends and acknowledges the cultural and financial significance of meme coins.
Moreover, this listing may pave the way for a future spot market listing, though no such plans have been confirmed. Notably, even WIF—despite surpassing PEPE in market cap—has not yet received a spot listing on Coinbase, suggesting that regulatory thresholds remain high.
Market Reaction and Derivatives Surge
Following the news, key metrics highlighted strong trader interest:
- Open Interest (OI) in PEPE derivatives rose by 14%, signaling increased positions across platforms.
- On Binance, the long-to-short ratio reached 3.3:1, indicating dominant bullish sentiment.
- Trading volume spiked across decentralized exchanges like Uniswap and centralized platforms including OKX and Bitget.
While PEPE has recently lost some ground to Solana-based rivals like WIF—which hit an all-time high of $4.83 in March—the Coinbase listing reinvigorated momentum.
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Core Keywords & SEO Integration
This article centers around several high-intent keywords critical for search visibility and audience reach:
- PEPE coin
- Coinbase futures
- Meme coin trading
- Perpetual futures
- Leveraged crypto trading
- PEPE price prediction
- Crypto derivatives
- Coinbase Advanced
These terms are naturally woven throughout the narrative to enhance SEO performance without compromising readability or editorial integrity.
For instance, discussions about leveraged crypto trading tie directly into the availability of 1000x contracts on Coinbase Advanced. Similarly, analysis of meme coin trading trends contextualizes PEPE’s journey from internet joke to exchange-listed asset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is PEPE now available for spot trading on Coinbase?
No, as of now, PEPE is only listed as a perpetual futures contract (1000PEPE-PERP) on Coinbase International and Coinbase Advanced. There is no spot trading available yet on any Coinbase platform.
Q: What does "1000x leverage" mean for PEPE futures?
A 1000x leverage means traders can control a position worth 1000 times their initial margin. For example, $10 could open a $10,000 position. While this amplifies potential gains, it also increases risk of liquidation.
Q: Why did Coinbase initially reject PEPE?
In 2023, Coinbase sent emails to users warning that Pepe the Frog was associated with hate symbols. This sparked controversy and accusations of misinformation. The exchange has not publicly addressed whether this stance has changed.
Q: How does this affect PEPE’s price outlook?
Historically, listings on major exchanges like Coinbase lead to short-term price spikes due to increased accessibility and legitimacy. Long-term performance will depend on sustained trading volume and broader market conditions.
Q: Can U.S. users trade PEPE futures on Coinbase?
No. Coinbase International operates outside the United States due to regulatory constraints. U.S. customers cannot access perpetual futures or other derivatives products on any Coinbase platform.
Q: Are meme coins like PEPE considered safe investments?
Meme coins are highly speculative and volatile. They often lack utility or fundamentals, making them risky compared to traditional cryptocurrencies. Investors should conduct thorough research and consider risk tolerance before trading.
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Final Thoughts
Coinbase’s decision to list PEPE perpetual futures represents more than just a product expansion—it reflects evolving attitudes toward digital culture in finance. Once dismissed as internet noise, meme coins now command multi-billion-dollar valuations and attract serious trading activity.
While questions remain about consistency in Coinbase’s content policies, the market has spoken: demand drives inclusion.
As crypto continues to blur the lines between culture, technology, and finance, expect more unexpected entries into regulated platforms—especially when community momentum meets proven market viability.
Whether you're tracking PEPE price movements, exploring crypto derivatives, or analyzing shifts in exchange policy, staying informed is key to navigating this dynamic landscape.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Trading leveraged products involves significant risk of loss.