PEPE exhibits extreme oversold conditions, with its RSI at 10.3 and breaching the lower Bollinger Band, signaling potential for a short-term bounce. However, large-scale short positions from major BTC holders and a CZ-related hacking incident contribute bearish fundamental factors, intensifying downward pressure. Despite positive elements such as growing interest in Solana and adoption in South Africa, risk aversion dominates. Consequently, the short-term market bias is assessed as neutral leaning bearish.

・Solana (SOL) Gains Traction in Corporate Crypto Investments Solana's corporate treasury operations are increasingly diversifying into digital assets, mirroring trends seen with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). This suggests a strengthening institutional appetite for crypto exposure, potentially serving as a catalyst for SOL price appreciation. The accessibility of crypto investments via traditional brokerage accounts is also likely boosting interest from a portfolio diversification perspective. ・Kalshi Completes $300 Million Funding for Global Prediction Market Expansion Kalshi has finalized a $300 million funding round, led by Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), announcing plans to expand its prediction markets to over 140 countries. This signals the expansion of the derivatives market and the diversification of risk management tools for a broader range of market participants. The proliferation of prediction markets could enhance price discovery mechanisms and create novel investment opportunities, potentially influencing meme coins like PEPE indirectly. ・SWIFT's Blockchain Poised to Challenge Ripple (XRP) in Payments SWIFT is developing a blockchain-based ledger designed to support real-time payments and tokenized assets, potentially posing a challenge to Ripple (XRP)'s stronghold in the cross-border payments market. The integration of blockchain technology with SWIFT's existing extensive network could offer faster, lower-cost cross-border payment solutions, potentially impacting XRP's use cases. ・CZ's Google Account Targeted by Hackers The Google account of Binance Co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) was reportedly targeted by a state-sponsored hacking group, potentially the Lazarus Group associated with North Korea. This highlights the increasing risk of sophisticated cyberattacks against key figures within the cryptocurrency industry. Such security incidents can affect overall industry confidence and trigger risk aversion among investors, making altcoins like PEPE more susceptible to broader market sentiment downturns. ・Bitcoin (BTC) Price May Dip to $118K, Potential Short-Term Rebound Expected Analysts point to a potential temporary pullback in Bitcoin (BTC) price towards the $118,000-$120,000 range. However, they view recent futures market liquidations as a "healthy" reset, not indicative of a long-term downtrend. This suggests a potential easing of market froth, possibly setting the stage for a more sustainable upward trend. Short-term price fluctuations might temporarily impact investment appetite for risk assets like PEPE. ・South Africa Enables Crypto Payments at Over 650,000 Merchants In South Africa, over 650,000 merchants can now accept cryptocurrency payments through a partnership between QR payment provider Scan to Pay and Bitcoin payment firm MoneyBadger. This represents a notable example of advancing crypto adoption and utility. The increasing use of cryptocurrencies as an everyday payment method could enhance overall market liquidity and adoption rates long-term, potentially offering indirect benefits even to meme coins like PEPE. ・$11 Billion Bitcoin (BTC) Holder Builds $900 Million Short Position A significant holder managing approximately $11 billion in Bitcoin (BTC) has established short positions totaling $900 million, despite prevailing market optimism. This move suggests the possibility of near-term market headwinds. Such actions by large holders can influence market sentiment and potentially increase selling pressure, particularly on highly volatile assets like PEPE. ・EU Focuses on Euro-Stablecoins to Counter Dollar Dominance Recommendations propose that the European Union (EU) should prioritize the development of Euro-denominated stablecoins to reduce reliance on US dollar-based stablecoins. This could foster competition within the stablecoin market and stimulate the growth of digital assets in the Eurozone. The emergence of Euro-stablecoins may diversify the global stablecoin landscape, influencing regulatory frameworks and liquidity. ・HashKey Considers IPO in Hong Kong HashKey Group, the parent company of the licensed Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange HashKey, is reportedly considering an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Hong Kong. This signifies the ongoing integration of the cryptocurrency industry into traditional financial markets. Capital raised through an IPO could support HashKey's business expansion and contribute to the credibility and development of the cryptocurrency exchange sector as a whole. Overall Summary The expanding involvement of institutional investors, evolving regulatory trends, and technological advancements are collectively shaping the sentiment and structure of the cryptocurrency market. While increased options trading for Bitcoin ETFs and heightened interest in Solana suggest potential liquidity injections from institutions, the risks posed by cyberattacks and short positions established by large investors indicate potential short-term volatility. These factors create both speculative opportunities and risks, impacting assets across the board, including meme coins like PEPE.

**Risk Analysis** The buildup of large short positions by major BTC holders increases the risk of a short-term market downturn. Security concerns surrounding CZ could heighten industry credibility issues, potentially triggering risk aversion. These fundamentals exert direct selling pressure on PEPE. Key support levels are likely located significantly below the current price range, necessitating preparation for a potential sharp short-term decline. Moving forward, close attention should be paid to the behavior of large holders, cybersecurity-related news, and any deterioration in overall market sentiment.

Over the next 24-48 hours, PEPE may see a technical rebound from deeply oversold conditions. However, large BTC holders building short positions and a hacking incident involving CZ increase the risk of further downside. The outlook for the week hinges on Bitcoin's price action and the positioning of major holders. If broader market sentiment turns negative, PEPE is likely to follow suit. Conversely, there is potential for upside if the market recovers or if meme coin-specific euphoria emerges. Key catalysts to watch include Bitcoin's movement around the $118,000 level, the build-up of short positions by major holders, developments in cybersecurity, and PEPE's social media buzz.

The PEPE market is exhibiting extremely oversold conditions (RSI at 10.3), hinting at a potential technical rebound. However, potent bearish fundamental factors, including major BTC holders establishing short positions and the CZ hack, are amplifying downward pressure. The short-term market bias is assessed as neutral-leaning bearish. Investors are advised to avoid aggressive new entries at this time and await clear trend reversal signals. For those targeting short-term bounces, it is recommended to limit positions to small sizes, set strict stop-losses just below the recent low (or psychological support level), and secure profits promptly. Key developments to monitor include BTC's price action around the $118,000 mark and the short-positioning activity of large holders. These events are likely to influence market sentiment and dictate PEPE's trading points. In terms of risk management, prioritizing capital preservation and closely observing the overall market trend, including BTC, is crucial. Despite the current challenging environment, the potential for future recovery exists. Through vigilant observation and a disciplined trading strategy, traders can position themselves to capture the next market upswing.