Rare Pepe: A growing meme culture

Pepe the Frog, born in 2005 from the imagination of Matt Furie, has become a global phenomenon that reflects many aspects of digital culture. Beginning as an innocent meme, Pepe transformed into a controversial symbol co-opted by far-right groups, sparking legal and moral battles. The #SavePepe campaign sought to reclaim his original positive image. Listed by the ADL among hate symbols, Pepe has fueled debates about the role of memes in propaganda. Today he finds new life in rare digital card collections traded on the blockchain and also as a token on the blockchain itself, creating an economy around the frog and demonstrating its continued evolution. This book explores the extraordinary story of Pepe, from its origins to its cultural and social implications, to its impact in the world of digital collections, in a fascinating interweaving of art, technology and finance.