Bitcoin’s fall below $100,000 has officially pushed the crypto market into a bear market, but not all projects are suffering. Amid the volatility, traders and analysts are spotlighting Pepenode, a gamified mining ecosystem that’s showing remarkable traction and could be one of the best cryptos to buy now.
After months of anticipation, Bitcoin has finally fallen below $100,000, marking its first dip under that level since June. The drop caps a sharp, 20% decline from October’s record highs of $126,000, confirming that the crypto market has entered a technical bear market. The current price is over $106,000.
The slide has rattled investors and sent altcoin prices tumbling, but the sentiment among long-term analysts remains cautiously optimistic.
Vitaliy Shtyrkin, Chief Product Officer at B2BINPAY, believes the correction is healthy and expected after such a prolonged rally. “We see a higher probability of consolidation rather than a deeper correction toward the mid-$80,000s,” he explained. “The $100,000 level is a key psychological and technical support for Bitcoin.”
This “stair-step” correction, as several analysts describe it, has occurred without major external shocks—a sign that markets are simply recalibrating after exuberant months. However, for many traders, the downturn has revived an old question: what thrives when Bitcoin stumbles?
Market Fatigue, Liquidity Fears and the Search for Resilience
Crypto veterans say the recent sell-off isn’t purely driven by panic. According to Ray Youssef, CEO of Paxful, the market has entered what he calls an “exhaustion phase,” where good news fails to lift prices but bad news triggers sharp declines.
“The market is approaching capitulation,” Youssef said, noting that mass liquidations of long positions often precede a local bottom. Once those occur, he argues, “a brief rebound usually follows.”
Others agree that Bitcoin’s pullback is part of a broader cooling-off period rather than a collapse. Nic Puckrin, a leading analyst at Coin Bureau, added, “A 20% drawdown in crypto is hardly catastrophic. Historically, those have been some of the best entry points.”
Still, uncertainty around the Federal Reserve’s rate policy has tempered hopes for a swift recovery. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s recent comments that additional rate cuts are “not a given” have shaken investor confidence. The fear now is that crypto may lack major catalysts until monetary policy shifts or new narratives emerge.
Amid that uncertainty, many traders are looking beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum – searching for smaller, more agile projects that can generate returns independent of macro cycles.
That’s where Pepenode enters the conversation.
Enter Pepenode: A Mine-to-Earn Project Built for the Bear Market
While most cryptocurrencies are struggling to hold support, Pepenode (PEPENODE) has emerged as one of the few projects showing upward momentum during the current bear market.
At its core, Pepenode is a gamified mine-to-earn ecosystem that reimagines crypto mining for the modern age. Rather than investing thousands in hardware and electricity, users can set up virtual mining nodes inside an interactive game environment.
The concept is simple: players start with an empty digital server room, purchase nodes using PEPENODE tokens, and upgrade them to boost their virtual mining power. The more efficient the setup, the greater the rewards. This transforms mining from an energy-intensive competition into a game of strategy and optimisation.
Unlike Bitcoin miners, who pay in dollars for expensive ASIC rigs, Pepenode players spend tokens within the ecosystem – creating intrinsic demand and utility for the currency itself. That design could help cushion its price from market volatility, giving it a structural advantage in downturns.
Why Pepenode Is Holding Up When Others Are Falling
One of Pepenode’s most notable strengths lies in its deflationary tokenomics. Seventy percent of tokens spent in the in-game marketplace are permanently burned, tightening supply and reducing sell pressure over time. This burn mechanism helps stabilise the ecosystem and potentially supports long-term appreciation.
Its presale has also been a standout success. Despite broader bearish conditions, Pepenode has already raised over $2 million in early funding, with the token currently priced at $0.0011317. Each presale round triggers a scheduled price increase, meaning early investors benefit as the project gains traction.
This consistent price growth during one of the roughest trading periods of 2025 has led some analysts to call Pepenode one of the best cryptos to buy now.
Market watchers like Jacob Bury believe that, if Pepenode sustains its momentum post-launch, the token could see gains of up to 10x once it lists publicly – putting it in the same conversation as previous bear-market standouts like Shiba Inu and Bonk during their respective runs.
A Deflationary Model with Real Utility
Another reason analysts are optimistic is Pepenode’s ability to merge utility and entertainment. By gamifying the mining process, the project appeals to both retail investors seeking yield and gamers looking for engagement.
Every upgrade in the game burns tokens, which steadily reduces the total supply. That means every participant, whether playing or staking, contributes to the token’s deflationary mechanics – a rare feature in meme-like ecosystems.
Furthermore, Pepenode offers staking rewards with annual yields exceeding 600% APY during the presale phase. Users can lock their tokens early and start earning even before the official launch. This creates a feedback loop of demand and retention that has proven resilient, even during the current market contraction.
Investor Confidence Despite Bear Market Pressures
What makes Pepenode particularly interesting is its ability to attract investment in a climate defined by fear. While capital has been fleeing traditional altcoins, new liquidity continues to flow into Pepenode’s presale, suggesting that investors are seeking alternatives with clearer token utility and burn mechanics.
Projects like Pepenode could represent the new playbook for surviving bear markets: create tangible in-game or on-chain value, tie it to deflationary incentives, and reward users for participation rather than speculation.
This approach differs sharply from earlier meme coins, which relied solely on hype. Pepenode’s structured game economy gives it the potential to sustain engagement even when market sentiment weakens.
What Happens Next for the Pepenode Presale
The current presale stage will soon conclude, with the token price set to increase again later today. Investors can still purchase PEPENODE tokens at $0.0011317 through the official site, and staking is already live.
Once the presale ends, tokens will become claimable on the project’s platform, and Pepenode plans to list on decentralised exchanges soon after. The project’s team has also confirmed audits of its smart contracts – an increasingly vital step as investors seek assurance during a volatile period for digital assets.
Historically, tokens that maintain fundraising momentum during a bear market often emerge as strong performers when conditions stabilise. Pepenode’s ability to grow while Bitcoin and Ethereum consolidate could position it well for the subsequent recovery phase.
Building Through the Bear Market
The ongoing bear market may be testing investor patience, but it’s also highlighting which projects have staying power. While Bitcoin’s consolidation around the $100,000 level signals uncertainty, Pepenode’s presale success demonstrates that innovation and community-driven engagement can still drive growth.
As Vitaliy Shtyrkin noted earlier, crypto corrections are rarely the end of a cycle – they’re a reset and in that reset, assets with real mechanics, user incentives, and transparent economics tend to outperform.
JOIN THE PEPENODE PRESALE BEFORE IT RISES
For now, Pepenode embodies that philosophy. It’s not merely surviving the downturn – it’s growing within it. For traders seeking exposure to early-stage opportunities with structural resilience, Pepenode may very well be the best crypto to buy now in a market otherwise defined by fear.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and speculative. Always conduct independent research before making investment decisions or participating in presales.