Key Takeaways
- A trader turned an $8,000 investment in the PUNCH memecoin into more than $3.1 million at its peak.
- The wallet cashed out over $550,000 — including $530,000 sent to Binance — yet continues to hold a sizable position.
- The token is inspired by Punch, a viral Japanese zoo macaque whose story has drawn global attention.
A crypto trader turned an $8,000 bet on a memecoin inspired by a viral Japanese zoo monkey into more than $3.1 million at its peak, according to blockchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence, even as the token has since plunged roughly 70% from recent highs.
But as the PUNCH memecoin collapsed in price, the remaining holdings have fallen to around $1 million, with the market now watching whether he will sell or continue holding.
Trader Rode Rally, Cashed Out $550,000
The trader, identified by the Solana wallet name “punchkun.sol,” bought nearly 10% of the total supply of the token PUNCH shortly after launch, Arkham said in a post on X.
“THIS GUY ROUNDTRIPPED $2 MILLION ON PUNCH – BUT HE’S STILL HOLDING,” Arkham wrote.
Arkham data shows the trader’s initial $8,000 purchase swelled to more than $3.1 million at the token’s peak valuation.
Along the way, the wallet cashed out over $550,000 in PUNCH, including about $530,000 deposited to Binance.
Despite the token’s subsequent collapse, the trader is still holding roughly $1 million worth of PUNCH at current prices, Arkham said.
PUNCH Memecoin Growth
PUNCH has fallen about 70% from its recent high over the past week, sharply reducing the value of remaining holdings.
It was recently trading around $0.013, down approximately 48% over the past seven days, according to CoinGecko data.
The token’s market capitalization stood near $13 million, with daily trading volumes exceeding $8 million.
Token Tied to Viral “Punch” Monkey
The PUNCH token draws its name and branding from “Punch,” a young Japanese macaque born in July at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture.
Shortly after birth, Punch’s biological mother rejected him, so zookeepers gave him a plush orangutan toy — nicknamed “Ora-mama” — to comfort him.
Videos of Punch dragging the toy around his enclosure and clutching it while alone spread rapidly online, turning the macaque into one of the year’s most viral animal figures.
The monkey’s viral fame has attracted attention across the crypto and influencer spectrum, including from the infamous Tate brothers, who wrote on X that they would pay $250,000 to buy the monkey.
Tron founder Justin Sun also announced that he and crypto exchange HTX would donate $100,000 to support Punch’s care at Ichikawa City Zoo.
“Punch, the bravest little macaque, has captured the world’s heart,” Sun wrote on X, adding that HTX was “deeply moved” by the monkey’s story.
“To ensure he gets the best care at Ichikawa City Zoo, HTX is pledging a $100,000 donation to support his growth and habitat,” he said.
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Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
