Crypto markets experienced a shake-up as the price of the meme coin Pepe (PEPE) took a nosedive. The once high-flying digital frog token saw a significant drop after breaking below a crucial support level.

Market analysts are pointing fingers at a large investor, or “whale,” who recently deposited a massive 400 billion PEPE tokens, worth a staggering $4.22 million, onto the Binance exchange. This move is seen as a clear indication of profit-taking, sending shockwaves through the market and triggering a sell-off.

To add fuel to the fire, on-chain data is revealing a troubling trend. The Network Realized Profit/Loss (NPL) metric, which measures the overall profitability of token holders, has spiked dramatically. This suggests that a growing number of investors are cashing out their PEPE holdings, exacerbating the downward pressure on the price.

Technical indicators are also painting a bearish picture. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dipped below the neutral level of 50, while the Awesome Oscillator is edging closer to negative territory. These signals often precede a price decline.

If the downward trend continues, analysts predict that PEPE could plummet by as much as 10%, potentially retesting its July low. However, a glimmer of hope remains. A daily candlestick close above a specific resistance level could invalidate the bearish outlook and potentially propel the price upwards.

While the situation appears grim for PEPE holders, it’s essential to remember that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile. Prices can fluctuate rapidly, and what seems like a steep decline today could be a buying opportunity for those with a long-term perspective.

As the market digests this latest development, investors are closely watching the price action for any signs of a potential recovery. Only time will tell if PEPE can regain its footing or if this is the beginning of a more extended downturn.

By Alex Wheeler

Alex is a lead writer at AltcoinsAnalysis, bringing the audience all leading developments in the blockchain industry and the latest trends in the cryptocurrency market.