- 1. What Is ApeCoin (APE)?
- 2. How Does ApeCoin Compare to Other Community Tokens?
- 3. ApeCoin (APE) Price Today and Market Overview
- 4. APE Price History Snapshot
- 5. APE Price Prediction 2026
- 6. APE Price Prediction 2027
- 7. APE Price Prediction 2028
- 8. APE Price Prediction 2029
- 9. APE Price Prediction 2030
- 10. What Drives the ApeCoin (APE) Price?
- 11. Is ApeCoin (APE) a Good Investment?
- 12. Where to Buy ApeCoin (APE)
Quick Answer: ApeCoin (APE) is trading near $0.10–$0.14 as of May 2026, down over 99% from its all-time high of $39.40 set on launch day in March 2022. Analyst forecasts for 2026 range from $0.094 (MEXC flat model) to $4.34 (Coinpedia bull case). For 2030, projections span from $0.114 (MEXC conservative) to $36.13 (Telegaon extreme bull). Key catalysts include ApeChain’s growth as a gaming and metaverse Layer 3, the RAID multi-chain expansion strategy, Yuga Labs’ leadership restructuring, and the NFT market cycle tied to Bitcoin halving phases.
Key Takeaways:
- APE is trading ~99% below its March 2022 ATH of $39.40, near multi-year lows
- ApeChain (Arbitrum-based L3) launched October 2024 — the first real utility infrastructure for APE beyond governance
- The RAID strategy (August 2025) expanded APE to Solana and BNB Chain/PancakeSwap, broadening the token’s DeFi footprint
- Yuga Labs underwent a leadership reshuffle in early 2026, triggering an 88% short-term price surge before correction
- 2030 base-case forecasts cluster at $3–$16 across major platforms; the bear floor from MEXC sits near $0.11
ApeCoin launched in March 2022 as the governance and utility token for Yuga Labs’ ecosystem — home to the Bored Ape Yacht Club, CryptoPunks, and the Otherside metaverse. Its $39.40 ATH on launch day gave way to one of the steepest post-launch collapses in top-100 crypto history. Since then, the project has delivered ApeChain, a multi-chain expansion via the RAID strategy, and a leadership overhaul at Yuga Labs. Whether any of this is enough to drive a meaningful recovery is what this guide examines year by year.
What Is ApeCoin (APE)?
ApeCoin is an ERC-20 governance and utility token launched on March 17, 2022, governed by the ApeCoin DAO. Created to power Yuga Labs’ Web3 ecosystem — which includes the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC), CryptoPunks, and the Otherside metaverse — APE is used for DAO governance votes, in-game purchases, NFT marketplace transactions, and access to exclusive APE ecosystem experiences.
In October 2024, the ecosystem launched ApeChain — an Arbitrum-based Layer 3 blockchain purpose-built for gaming, metaverse applications, and high-frequency NFT transactions. ApeChain gives APE genuine utility as a gas token for the first time in the project’s history, reducing dependence on pure speculative demand.
The ApeCoin DAO governs all protocol decisions through on-chain voting, with APE token holders able to submit and vote on Ape Improvement Proposals (AIPs). The total supply is fixed at 1 billion APE tokens, with approximately 533 million currently in circulation.
According to CoinMarketCap, APE ranks outside the top 150 cryptocurrencies globally by market cap as of May 2026, with a market capitalization near $53–75 million.
How Does ApeCoin Compare to Other Community Tokens?
ApeCoin competes for attention and capital in the culture/community token category alongside Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. The key differentiators are utility depth and ecosystem backing.
| Token | ATH | Current Price | Market Cap | Blockchain | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APE | $39.40 | ~$0.12 | ~$64M | Ethereum + ApeChain | NFT ecosystem, gaming, metaverse |
| DOGE | $0.74 | ~$0.17 | ~$25B | Dogecoin | Payments, tipping, culture |
| SHIB | $0.000088 | ~$0.000011 | ~$6.5B | Ethereum | Meme culture, Shibarium L2 |
APE has the most developed underlying ecosystem (Yuga Labs IP, Otherside, ApeChain) but the smallest market cap of the three — a ratio that either signals deep undervaluation or reflects the market’s skepticism about whether NFT-linked governance tokens retain long-term value. DOGE and SHIB benefit from larger, broader retail bases that are less tied to a single NFT collection’s cultural relevance.
ApeCoin (APE) Price Today and Market Overview
| Metric | Value (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Price | ~$0.10–$0.14 |
| Market Cap | ~$53–75M |
| 24h Volume | ~$15–25M |
| ATH | $39.40 (Mar 17, 2022) |
| ATH Drop | ~99.7% |
| Circulating Supply | ~533M APE |
As of May 2026, APE is trading near $0.10–$0.14 following a sharp correction from a January 2026 high near $0.18. The token remains deeply below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. CryptoPredictions’ model shows an expected May 2026 average of $0.115, with a maximum near $0.144.
CoinGecko data shows 24-hour volume near $15–25 million — modest relative to market cap and down sharply from the 2024–2025 NFT cycle peak volumes. The RSI is in neutral-to-bearish territory, reflecting reduced speculative interest following the broader NFT market cooldown.
The most significant 2025–2026 developments for APE involve multi-chain expansion and leadership change. In August 2025, Yuga Labs launched the RAID strategy (Rapid Apecoin Integration Deployment) to expand APE beyond Ethereum, targeting chains with 50M+ users, high TPS, and low costs. Apecoin expanded to Solana on September 9, 2025, and APE launched on BNB Chain via PancakeSwap on October 16, 2025 — enabling boosted APR liquidity pools for APE-BNB pairs. These integrations expanded APE’s DeFi footprint beyond its Ethereum-only origins.
Separately, Yuga Labs underwent a leadership reshuffle in early 2026, triggering an 88% APE price surge before the broader altcoin market correction pulled the token back to current levels. The leadership change raised expectations about a sharper focus on ApeChain development and Otherside metaverse delivery.
APE’s social sentiment ranked among the top crypto projects by social activity in October 2025, driven by renewed confidence from the Solana expansion — a signal that the community remains engaged despite the price drawdown.
APE Price History Snapshot
| Year | Key Price Level |
|---|---|
| Mar 2022 | Launch ATH $39.40 (same day) |
| Dec 2022 | Bear market low ~$0.80 |
| 2023 | Range $0.80–$3.50 |
| Early 2024 | ApeChain launch; rally to ~$2.50 |
| Late 2024 | Correction to $0.60–$1.20 |
| 2025 | Range $0.30–$0.80; RAID expansion |
| Jan 2026 | Yuga Labs surge to ~$0.18 |
| May 2026 | Consolidation near $0.10–$0.14 |
APE’s price history is defined by the NFT cycle. Its 2022 ATH came at peak BAYC mania. The 2023–2024 recovery aligned with renewed NFT market interest and the ApeChain announcement. The current price reflects a normalization of NFT valuations and reduced speculative premium on NFT governance tokens.
APE Price Prediction 2026
The remainder of 2026 is a pivotal window. The RAID expansion has broadened APE’s DeFi reach, ApeChain is live and processing transactions, and the Yuga Labs leadership restructuring has reset expectations. Whether any of this converts to sustained price recovery depends primarily on NFT market sentiment and Bitcoin cycle dynamics.
| Source | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC (flat) | $0.084 | $0.103 | Flat growth model |
| CryptoPredictions | $0.098 | $0.206 | Avg $0.141; year-end $0.165 |
| DigitalCoinPrice | $1.10 | $1.41 | Moderate recovery model |
| Coinpedia | $1.23 | $4.34 | Bull case avg $2.78 |
| CoinCodex | — | $3.19 | Algo model; halving cycle |
MEXC’s flat model ($0.084–$0.103) and CryptoPredictions’ modest range ($0.098–$0.206) represent the floor scenarios — APE trading near current levels or slightly higher without a major NFT market catalyst. These models assume the broader NFT cooldown continues through 2026.
DigitalCoinPrice’s $1.10–$1.41 represents a meaningful recovery — roughly 10x from current prices — requiring ApeChain to generate measurable gaming/metaverse transaction volume and NFT floor prices recovering toward 2023 levels. CoinCodex’s $3.19 and Coinpedia’s $4.34 bull cases assume a full halving-cycle altcoin rotation reaching NFT-adjacent tokens in H2 2026.
APE Price Prediction 2027
2027 sits in the typical 12–18 month post-halving altcoin window. NFT tokens historically lag Bitcoin and Ethereum by the widest margin but can produce the largest percentage gains when capital reaches the lowest end of the risk curve.
| Source | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| MEXC (flat) | — | $0.099 |
| CryptoPredictions | — | ~$0.26 |
| DigitalCoinPrice | $1.64 | $2.02 |
| Coinpedia | $1.79 | $6.18 |
| CoinCodex | — | $1.30 |
MEXC’s flat model stays below $0.10 through 2027, treating APE as range-bound. CryptoPredictions projects modest appreciation near $0.26. DigitalCoinPrice’s $1.64–$2.02 and CoinCodex’s $1.30 represent a base recovery scenario. Coinpedia’s $1.79–$6.18 is the bull case — ApeChain becoming a genuine gaming hub with monthly active users measurable in the hundreds of thousands, combined with a broad NFT market revival.
If Otherside reaches a public open-world phase by 2027, it could become the defining catalyst for APE similar to what the original BAYC launch was in 2021 — but for sustainable on-chain utility rather than speculative NFT minting.
APE Price Prediction 2028
2028 is the year of the next Bitcoin halving — ApeCoin’s largest gains have historically occurred during Bitcoin-driven bull cycles.
| Source | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| MEXC (flat) | — | $0.104 |
| DigitalCoinPrice | $1.90 | $2.40 |
| Coinpedia | $2.48 | $8.79 |
| MEXC (ApeChain model) | — | ~$7.00 |
Coinpedia’s $2.48–$8.79 for 2028 is the bull case built on a halving-cycle peak aligning with ApeChain gaming adoption maturity. MEXC’s ApeChain scenario reaches approximately $7 if ApeChain has established itself as a dominant gaming blockchain by the halving period. DigitalCoinPrice’s $1.90–$2.40 represents the conservative halving-cycle scenario — APE recovering meaningfully but not revisiting 2022–2023 highs.
APE Price Prediction 2029
| Source | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| MEXC (flat) | — | $0.109 |
| Coinpedia | $3.60 | $11.03 |
| MEXC (ApeChain model) | — | $10.09 |
| DigitalCoinPrice | $2.20 | $2.90 |
2029 is typically the late-cycle bull phase. Both MEXC’s ApeChain model ($10.09) and Coinpedia’s $11.03 upper range converge near $10 — a scenario where APE captures 10x from current prices as gaming and metaverse activity on ApeChain compounds. DigitalCoinPrice stays conservative at $2.20–$2.90. The wide spread reflects whether ApeChain’s adoption story plays out within this cycle.
APE Price Prediction 2030
2030 is the most cited long-term target for APE investors, with the widest spread of any forecast year.
| Source | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| MEXC (flat) | — | $0.114 |
| DigitalCoinPrice | $2.64 | $3.79 |
| PricePrediction | $9.97 | $11.68 |
| MEXC (ApeChain model) | — | $16.21 |
| Coinpedia | — | $15.23 |
| Telegaon | $30.88 | $36.13 |
MEXC’s flat model floor at $0.114 is the structural bear case — APE drifts toward irrelevance as NFT culture fades and newer gaming tokens capture the metaverse narrative. DigitalCoinPrice’s $2.64–$3.79 is the conservative recovery scenario — APE returning to 2023 trading levels through gradual ecosystem growth.
PricePrediction’s $9.97–$11.68 and Coinpedia’s $15.23 represent mature bull scenarios where ApeChain has become a leading gaming blockchain by 2030 with measurable monthly active users, Otherside is a functioning open-world metaverse, and two full halving cycles have driven capital into NFT-adjacent infrastructure. Telegaon’s $30.88–$36.13 requires APE to recapture its 2022 cultural relevance at institutional scale — the most optimistic widely-cited model, treating APE as the de facto token of a global digital culture economy.
What Drives the ApeCoin (APE) Price?
ApeChain adoption. ApeChain is ApeCoin’s most important long-term price driver. As a gas token for the ApeChain Layer 3, every transaction on the network creates organic demand for APE beyond speculation. The rate of ApeChain developer adoption, dApp deployments, and monthly active users are the most reliable indicators of whether APE’s 2030 bull case is on track.
NFT market cycles. APE’s price is more tightly correlated with NFT floor prices than with Bitcoin price action. BAYC floor prices, Otherside land sales, and the general health of the premium NFT market serve as leading indicators for APE. NFT markets historically peak 6–12 months after Bitcoin bull peaks, meaning APE often rallies latest in the crypto cycle.
RAID multi-chain strategy. The August 2025 RAID expansion to Solana and BNB Chain broadened APE’s DeFi addressable market from Ethereum-only to three major ecosystems. Each new chain integration increases liquidity, trading volume, and the number of wallets that hold APE — structural improvements that reduce vulnerability to single-chain ecosystem downturns.
Yuga Labs development milestones. Otherside metaverse delivery timelines, new BAYC collection launches, and IP expansions are direct price catalysts. The 2026 leadership restructuring was initially priced as a positive signal. Concrete product launches — particularly Otherside open-world access — would be the most significant single catalyst for APE.
Bitcoin halving cycles. APE, like all altcoins, moves in broad correlation with Bitcoin market cycles. The 2028 halving is the next major trigger. APE’s history suggests it can produce explosive percentage gains during crypto bull phases — its 2023–2024 rally from $0.80 to $2.50 during the pre-halving period confirms this pattern.
DAO governance quality. The ApeCoin DAO’s ability to allocate treasury funds effectively to ecosystem development, gaming partnerships, and infrastructure grants determines whether ApeChain reaches its potential or remains underdeveloped. Poor DAO governance has historically been one of the most frequently cited risks by APE skeptics.
Is ApeCoin (APE) a Good Investment?
APE at $0.10–$0.14 is trading near its lowest levels since late 2022. The token’s underlying ecosystem — ApeChain live, RAID multi-chain expansion complete, Yuga Labs leadership reset, and Otherside still in development — is arguably more developed than at any previous price floor.
The bear case is clear: APE’s price is fundamentally tied to NFT culture, which has cooled substantially from 2021–2022 levels. BAYC floor prices have declined 90%+, reducing the social capital that originally drove APE’s valuation. If the NFT market does not recover meaningfully, APE’s price anchors near current speculative lows regardless of ApeChain’s technical progress.
The bull case: ApeChain is a real product with real transactions. The RAID strategy has diversified APE across three major ecosystems. Yuga Labs still holds the most culturally recognized NFT IP in crypto. And at $0.10, a return to 2023’s $2.50 range represents a 25x that requires no new ATH — just a partial cycle recovery.
Where to Buy ApeCoin (APE)
APE is widely available on both centralized and decentralized platforms.
Centralized exchanges (CEX): Coinbase lists APE/USD and APE/USDT pairs — the most accessible option for US buyers. Kraken offers APE/USD and APE/EUR. KuCoin and Gate.io provide APE/USDT with lower fees for active traders. OKX supports APE spot and margin trading. Following the RAID expansion, APE is now also available on MEXC and HTX with BNB Chain pairings.
Decentralized exchanges (DEX): APE can be traded on Uniswap (Ethereum, APE/ETH or APE/USDC) and on PancakeSwap (BNB Chain, APE/BNB) — the latter added in October 2025 as part of the RAID strategy. APE is also tradeable on Solana-based DEXs following the September 2025 expansion.
ApeChain native: For users wanting to use APE within the ApeChain ecosystem for gaming and metaverse applications, APE can be bridged to ApeChain via the official ApeCoin bridge. Using APE natively on ApeChain incurs near-zero gas fees compared to Ethereum mainnet transactions.
Always verify the correct APE contract address (0x4d224452801aced8b2f0aebe155379bb5d594381 on Ethereum) before purchasing on any DEX to avoid counterfeit tokens.
Nothing in this article constitutes financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry substantial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ApeCoin price prediction?
For 2026, models range from $0.084 (MEXC flat) to $4.34 (Coinpedia bull case). CryptoPredictions' algo model targets a year-end 2026 average of $0.141–$0.165. DigitalCoinPrice projects a more optimistic $1.10–$1.41 recovery. The base case consensus for 2026 is $0.10–$0.20, with above-base scenarios requiring a Bitcoin-driven altcoin season and measurable ApeChain gaming adoption.
How high can APE go?
In a moderate bull scenario by 2030, DigitalCoinPrice projects $2.64–$3.79 and PricePrediction targets $9.97–$11.68. Coinpedia's bull case reaches $15.23 and MEXC's ApeChain model projects $16.21. Telegaon's extreme bull scenario places APE at $30–$36 by 2030. Reaching $10 would require ApeChain to become a leading gaming blockchain with hundreds of thousands of monthly active users.
Will APE reach $1 again?
APE last traded above $1 in 2023. DigitalCoinPrice considers $1 achievable in the current recovery cycle, placing its 2026 low at $1.10. For $1 to materialize before 2027, APE needs a Bitcoin-driven altcoin season reaching NFT-adjacent tokens and ApeChain showing measurable user growth. Coinpedia's 2026 range starts at $1.23 in its base scenario.
What is the APE price prediction for 2030?
The 2030 range spans from $0.114 (MEXC flat floor) to $36.13 (Telegaon bull). DigitalCoinPrice targets $2.64–$3.79. PricePrediction projects $9.97–$11.68. Coinpedia targets $15.23 and MEXC's ApeChain model reaches $16.21. The most cited realistic range for 2030 planning is $3–$16, depending on ApeChain adoption and whether the NFT market undergoes a meaningful cycle recovery through 2028.
What is ApeChain?
ApeChain is an Arbitrum-based Layer 3 blockchain launched in October 2024, purpose-built for gaming, NFT transactions, and metaverse applications within the ApeCoin ecosystem. APE serves as ApeChain's native gas token, creating the first direct utility-driven demand for APE beyond governance voting. ApeChain offers lower fees and faster transactions than Ethereum mainnet, enabling games and dApps that would be cost-prohibitive on Layer 1.
What is the RAID strategy?
RAID stands for Rapid Apecoin Integration Deployment — a multi-chain expansion strategy launched August 31, 2025. Under RAID, APE expanded to Solana (September 9, 2025) and BNB Chain via PancakeSwap (October 16, 2025), with further integrations planned for chains meeting criteria of 50M+ users, high TPS, and low transaction costs. The strategy aims to diversify APE's liquidity and user base beyond the Ethereum ecosystem.ShareContent
