PEPE's Critical Price Resistance at $0.00001150 and Implications for Short-Term Bullish Momentum

The meme token PEPE has long been a barometer for retail-driven volatility, but recent on-chain data suggests a shift in dynamics. As the price hovers near the critical $0.00001150 resistance level, whale activity and volume accumulation patterns are emerging as key indicators of potential breakout momentum. This analysis examines the interplay between large holder behavior, technical resistance, and market sentiment to assess whether PEPE is primed for a short-term rally or a deeper correction.

Whale Accumulation and the $0.00001150 Threshold

Whale activity has intensified around the $0.00001150 level, with large investors amassing significant quantities of PEPE. According to a report by Chainaffairs, two major wallets—0x8f5 and 0xb1a—accumulated over 480 billion tokens in a 24-hour period in September 2025, valued at $5 million and $3.72 million respectivelyPepe (PEPE) Price: On-Chain Data Reveals Whales Cashing Out^[5]. These transactions, coupled with a 6.63% monthly increase in large transactions, signal growing confidence in PEPE's long-term potential despite a 29% decline in the broader market over the past 30 daysPEPE Whale Withdraws 1.51 Trillion From Kraken: 15.95M USD Exchange Outflow, On-Chain Address Revealed^[4].

The shift toward self-custody is particularly telling. Whale wallets have moved over 70% of the total supply to private storage, reducing exchange reserves to a two-year lowPEPE Price: Whales Accumulate as On-chain Metrics Flash Bullish Signals^[3]. This behavior, historically associated with bullish reversals, suggests that large holders are positioning for future price appreciation rather than immediate profit-taking. For context, a $15.95 million withdrawal of 1.51 trillion PEPE tokens from Kraken in September 2025 further underscores this trendPEPE Whale Withdraws 1.51 Trillion From Kraken: 15.95M USD Exchange Outflow, On-Chain Address Revealed^[4].

Technical Resistance and Liquidity Clusters

The $0.00001150–$0.00001200 range represents a pivotal psychological and technical barrier for PEPE. Historical price action reveals that this level has functioned as both support and resistance, with liquidity clusters forming around key Fibonacci retracement levels and the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $0.0000114Pepe (PEPE) Price: On-Chain Data Reveals Whales Cashing Out^[5]. Order book depth analysis shows concentrated buying pressure at these levels, with bid sizes surging by 54% in Q3 2025PEPE Price: Whales Accumulate as On-chain Metrics Flash Bullish Signals^[3].

A weekly close above $0.00001200 would likely trigger a retest of the $0.00001700–$0.00002200 range, potentially unlocking a 400% rally toward $0.00002803, PEPE's previous all-time highPEPE Price: Whales Accumulate as On-chain Metrics Flash Bullish Signals^[3]. However, failure to hold this level could see the price retrace to $0.0000103 or even $0.0000088, as indicated by Santiment's declining Network Realized Profit/Loss metricPepe (PEPE) Price: On-Chain Data Reveals Whales Cashing Out^[5].

Derivatives Data and Speculative Sentiment

Derivatives markets provide further insight into PEPE's trajectory. Open interest in PEPE derivatives has surged to $705.27 million, while funding rates for long positions remain positive, reflecting bullish positioningPEPE Whale Withdraws 1.51 Trillion From Kraken: 15.95M USD Exchange Outflow, On-Chain Address Revealed^[4]. This speculative demand is amplified by a 60% increase in derivatives volume to $3.67 billion, suggesting traders are hedging against both upward and downward volatilityPEPE Whale Withdraws 1.51 Trillion From Kraken: 15.95M USD Exchange Outflow, On-Chain Address Revealed^[4].

Yet, the data is not uniformly optimistic. A $6.52 million deposit into Binance by a single whale in mid-2025 highlights the dual nature of whale influence—while accumulation drives buying pressure, profit-taking can exacerbate short-term volatilityPEPE Price: Whales Accumulate as On-chain Metrics Flash Bullish Signals^[3]. This duality is compounded by a 5.70% decline in open interest to $483.09 million, signaling reduced speculative appetite in recent weeksPepe (PEPE) Price: On-Chain Data Reveals Whales Cashing Out^[5].

Risks and Counterarguments

While whale accumulation and technical indicators point to bullish potential, several risks persist. First, large holders could reverse course, triggering sharp sell-offs. For example, a 726 billion token sale by the "Alleged Mattfurie" wallet in September 2025 caused a 3.48% price dropPEPE Price: Whales Accumulate as On-chain Metrics Flash Bullish Signals^[3]. Second, broader market conditions remain fragile, with PEPE's price down 3.59% in 24 hours as of September 17, 2025Pepe (PEPE) Price: On-Chain Data Reveals Whales Cashing Out^[5].

Moreover, the token's recent breakdown below the 50-day EMA at $0.0000114 raises concerns about near-term bearish momentumPepe (PEPE) Price: On-Chain Data Reveals Whales Cashing Out^[5]. A sustained close below $0.000010 could trigger a cascade of short liquidations and further erode retail confidencePEPE Price Risks Breakdown Below $0.00001^[1].

Conclusion: A Tipping Point for PEPE

The $0.00001150 resistance level represents a critical inflection point for PEPE. Whale activity and liquidity clusters suggest that large holders are preparing for a potential breakout, but the token's ability to hold this level will determine whether bullish momentum materializes. Investors should monitor on-chain metrics such as exchange reserves, order book depth, and derivatives flows for confirmation.

If PEPE successfully breaches $0.00001200, the path to $0.00002803 could open, validating the current accumulation phase as a strategic move by whales. However, a failure to hold this level would likely reignite bearish sentiment, extending the correction toward $0.0000088. Given the high volatility and mixed signals, a cautious approach is warranted, with stop-loss orders placed below $0.000010 to mitigate downside risk.