PEPEIs Pepe a security?
#58 by market cap · Last updated Oct 19, 2026 (evidence re-checked)At a glance
Unclear- ConfidenceLowLow-MediumHigh
- US exchange accessCoinbase (US incl. NY)
- Regulator (if enacted)SEC or CFTC (undecided)
- Evidence5 sources · 2 official
Is Pepe (PEPE) a security?
Unclear. Not named by the SEC. The SEC's March 2026 interpretation treats typical 'meme coins' as digital collectibles (not securities), but it doesn't name this token, so we keep it Unclear.
There's no official US classification yet, so treatment could go either way. Watch for SEC or CFTC statements and exchange listing changes. Pro alerts flag these for you.
What should I do if my token is "unclear"? →
Why this status
- R5: not named by the SEC. The SEC's March 2026 interpretation treats typical 'meme coins' as digital collectibles (not securities), but it doesn't name this token, so we keep it Unclear.
Decentralisation ("mature blockchain" test): Not independently assessed. No reliable, sourced data on control or supply concentration was gathered for this review.
Evidence (5 sources)
2 official
- BackgroundThird-partyOct 19, 2026 · CoinGecko
Project description: What is the project about? Pepe is a community based meme token surround the iconic meme Pepe the frog.
CoinGecko: Pepe ↗ - ETFThird-partyOct 19, 2026 · CryptoETF.today
Pending at the SEC (not approved): Canary PEPE ETF.
CryptoETF.today filings tracker (third-party; compiled from SEC EDGAR and the Federal Register) ↗ - Exchange listingThird-partyOct 19, 2026 · Coinbase
PEPE appears on Coinbase's 'US (incl. NY) Trading Assets' list.
Coinbase Digital Asset Disclosures: 'US (incl. NY) Trading Assets' list ↗ - RegulatorOfficial sourceAbsent / not foundMar 23, 2026 · Federal Register (SEC & CFTC)
PEPE is not among the SEC's named examples of digital commodities in the March 2026 interpretation.
SEC interpretation (with CFTC guidance): Application of the Federal Securities Laws to Certain Types of Crypto Assets, Release 33-11412 ↗ - RegulatorOfficial sourceFeb 27, 2025 · SEC staff
SEC staff view: typical meme coin transactions do not involve securities. The SEC's March 2026 interpretation treats meme coins as 'digital collectibles'. Neither names PEPE.
SEC Division of Corporation Finance: Staff Statement on Meme Coins ↗
Rules by country
Unclear (ClarityCheck estimate, low-medium confidence). The CLARITY Act is not law, so today the SEC's and CFTC's existing frameworks apply.
Under MiCA, trading in the EU runs through authorised crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). We haven't yet checked token-specific MiCA white paper filings for PEPE. ESMA register ↗
The UK's new FCA cryptoasset regime starts on Oct 25, 2027. Firms can apply from Sept 30, 2026 until Feb 28, 2027. There's no token-by-token classification list; the rules apply to the firms that offer the token. FCA ↗
PEPE questions
Is Pepe (PEPE) a security?
Unclear. Not named by the SEC. The SEC's March 2026 interpretation treats typical 'meme coins' as digital collectibles (not securities), but it doesn't name this token, so we keep it Unclear. No court or regulator has classified it, so we don't guess. Not legal advice.
Can I buy PEPE on US exchanges?
US access: Coinbase (US incl. NY). Availability can differ by state and by exchange. See our exchange safety checker.
What would the CLARITY Act change for PEPE?
There's no official US classification yet, so treatment could go either way. Watch for SEC or CFTC statements and exchange listing changes. Pro alerts flag these for you.
How reliable is this PEPE status?
Confidence is Low-Medium. It comes from fixed rules applied to 5 cited sources (checked Oct 19, 2026), not from opinion. Statuses can change as courts, regulators and Congress act.
Change log
3 entries
- Status reviewEvidence-based review: status set to 'Unclear' (Low-Medium confidence) using ClarityCheck rules. Replaces earlier illustrative demo data.
- PEPE is not among the SEC's named examples of digital commodities in the March 2026 interpretation. Source ↗
- SEC staff view: typical meme coin transactions do not involve securities. The SEC's March 2026 interpretation treats meme coins as 'digital collectibles'. Neither names PEPE. Source ↗
Snapshot Oct 19, 2026 · Prices by CoinGecko