Ethereum’s Fusaka Enhancement Compared to Meme Coin Frenzy: Who Claims Victory in the 2025 Crypto Showdown?

Source: [1]

Price Overview: Approaches $4,659 Amid Unclear Market Trends and Anticipation for Fusaka Fork

[2] Details on Ethereum’s Fusaka Upgrade: Implications of the November 2025 Hard Fork for the Network

[3] Ethereum Price Forecast: What Fusaka Upgrade, Holešky Shutdown, and Upcoming Breakouts Could Mean

[4]

vs ETH: Leading Analyst Evaluates ROI Prospects for Ethereum (ETH) Compared to Pepecoin (PEPE)

[5] Ethereum vs Pepe – In-depth Comparison & 2025 Charts

[6] Crypto Investments 2025: Ethereum Faces Off Against LILPEPE

The forthcoming Fusaka upgrade for Ethereum, set for late 2025, is at the center of discussions over whether Ethereum (ETH) or Pepe (PEPE) offers superior investment prospects. The Fusaka update consists of 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) targeting network scalability, stronger node performance, and improved efficiency. Notable changes include PeerDAS (Peer Data Availability Sampling) to spread blob data storage and lighten node tasks, as well as raised gas limits that may boost Ethereum’s throughput to 12,000 transactions per second by 2026 [2]. These improvements are designed to ease gas costs during peak periods and bolster the platform’s capacity for DeFi and layer-2 solutions [12].

Ethereum’s price has responded with mixed patterns leading up to the upgrade. In September 2025, ETH hovers close to $4,659, testing resistance at $4,769 and keeping a positive trend above the 200-day moving average [1]. Indicators such as the RSI (61.46) point to neutral momentum, and the MACD histogram still reflects bullish tendencies, although signs of short-term overbuying are surfacing. Traders are watching support at $4,210 and resistance at $4,956, with the upgrade expected to potentially drive continued buying [1].

Pepe, a

coin valued at $4.6 billion in market capitalization, has climbed 183% since the beginning of the year but remains highly volatile. Experts emphasize its speculative nature, propelled by online communities and viral momentum, contrasting with Ethereum’s growth based on technological infrastructure [5]. While Ethereum’s return on investment is estimated to settle at 62% for 2025 [5], Pepe’s sharp, short-term gains are countered by its limited use beyond cultural significance. According to the fifth article, Pepe’s price of $0.000011 is 60.99% under its peak of $0.000028, illustrating the significant risks and rewards typical for meme coins [5].

Comparative studies highlight Ethereum’s leadership in network effects, decentralization, and user activity, with a 13.15% share of the market compared to Pepe’s 0.11% [5]. Ethereum’s Total Value Locked (TVL) is $94.58 billion, and it processes 1.84 million daily transactions, affirming its foundational role, while Pepe’s stats are mostly reflective of speculative trading. Increased institutional participation and the Fusaka upgrade reinforce Ethereum’s reputation as a “blue-chip” digital asset, unlike Pepe, which relies largely on social media excitement [5].

Although emerging tokens如LILPEPE等正逐步进入市场，并希望与以往的 meme 币区别开来，但其风险依然显著。LILPEPE等新兴项目与Pepe币相比，虽致力于提升代币的实际用途，但本质上的投机性和波动性依然较高。这也凸显了以太坊相对稳定的地位和一些新玩法币的不可预知性。

In summary, Ethereum’s upcoming Fusaka upgrade and established ecosystem make it a solid choice for those seeking stable, long-term growth, while Pepe and other meme coins remain high-risk, speculative investments. Investors need to consider Ethereum’s technical progress and institutional backing against the volatility and uncertain value proposition of meme tokens. As the crypto landscape develops, the preference between ETH and PEPE will depend on individual risk appetite and the balance between infrastructure-driven innovation and trends shaped by online communities.