DeutschApeCoin (APE) launched on March 17, 2022, and is closely linked to the Bored Ape Yacht Club. Since then, the token has lost over 96% of its value, the NFT market has crashed, and the project has repositioned itself with the launch of its own blockchain. In this article, you’ll learn where you can buy APE and what the current situation around ApeCoin looks like.
Where can you buy ApeCoin?
In our view, the best providers for trading ApeCoin are:
Bitvavo, one of the leading exchanges from Europe (Netherlands) with a large selection of cryptocurrencies. PayPal deposit possible. Limited time offer: €20 bonus when you sign up via CoinPro.ch
Regulated provider from Austria - specializing in trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, stocks and many other assets.
With several hundred thousand customers worldwide, Binance is one of the top 10 largest and most well-known exchanges. The use of the exchange is free of charge, with fees only applying to the purchase and exchange of cryptocurrencies.
Almost every major centralized crypto exchange listed the token immediately after launch. That’s actually quite unusual. With many other cryptocurrencies, it typically takes several months before exchanges add them. APE is available on Bitvavo, Bitpanda, and Binance, among others. You’ll find a full overview in our crypto exchange comparison.
Before buying ApeCoin: What is APE, anyway?
It’s not just experts in the crypto sector who know that NFTs sparked a huge hype. Even people with no real connection to cryptocurrencies have noticed—thanks to NFTs created by numerous celebrities—that digital artworks, among other things, are selling for millions.
The Bored Ape NFTs were particularly successful. These were monkey images that allowed owners to become members of a very exclusive yacht club. With ApeCoin, the developers are now taking things to the next level for investors: when the cryptocurrency was released, members of the Bored Ape Yacht Club received the first ApeCoins via an airdrop.
ApeCoin was developed by Yuga Labs. The ecosystem is governed by two organizations:
- ApeCoin DAO: A governing body in which all APE holders are members. They can submit proposals for ApeCoin’s future and then vote on them.
- Ape Foundation: Handles ApeCoin DAO administration and the operational implementation of community decisions.
Originally, ApeCoin was a pure ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain with no standalone technical utility. In October 2024, ApeChain was launched, a Layer-3 blockchain based on Arbitrum Orbit.
On ApeChain, APE serves as the native gas token. According to on-chain data from launch, transaction fees were around $0.007 and block times were under 100 milliseconds. At launch, the APE price briefly jumped from $0.70 to $1.75, but then fell back sharply.
According to BingX Research, since launch over 60 applications have launched on ApeChain, including DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and games like Top Trader. How actively these applications are actually used is difficult to assess based on public data. User numbers on ApeChain have dropped significantly after the initial hype.
Buying ApeCoin: Step-by-step guide
If you want to buy ApeCoin, you can follow these four steps.
1. Choose an exchange
For beginners, we recommend Bitvavo or Bitpanda. Both platforms are regulated and handle custody of your coins.
2. Verify your account
After registering, verify your identity using an ID card or passport. With most providers, the process only takes a few minutes.
3. Deposit money
Transfer via SEPA (free with Bitvavo), credit card, or PayPal. SEPA takes 1 to 2 days; PayPal and credit card are instant. However, keep in mind the fees that may apply when buying ApeCoin by credit card or PayPal.
4. Buy APE
Search for “ApeCoin” or “APE”, enter the desired amount, and confirm the purchase.
Buy ApeCoin or not? A sober assessment
APE is a highly speculative token. The following points are meant to help you form your own opinion.
What speaks in favor of APE:
- Own blockchain: With ApeChain, APE has had a use case as a gas token since October 2024. Whether that’s enough to generate sustainable demand remains to be seen.
- Brand awareness: The Bored Ape Yacht Club is one of the best-known brands in the Web3 space. The community still exists, but it’s significantly smaller than at its peak in 2022.
- Gaming initiatives: Yuga Labs is working on Otherside (metaverse) and has launched several games on ApeChain. None of them has reached a broad user base so far.
- Trading volume: On Binance, APE posts daily trading volume in the tens of millions. That shows the token remains relevant for traders.
What speaks against APE:
- 96% price drop: From its all-time high of around $26 (April 2022), APE has fallen to under $1. The vast majority of holders are at a loss.
- NFT market crash: Since 2023, the entire NFT segment has lost massive volume and interest. BAYC NFTs that once traded for hundreds of thousands are now worth a fraction of that.
- Token unlocks: More APE tokens will be released through mid-2026, which could create additional selling pressure.
- ApeChain usage unclear: While over 60 dApps are listed, actual usage and TVL (Total Value Locked) are low. A high number of listed applications says little about real adoption.
- Dependence on Yuga Labs: APE’s success rises and falls with Yuga Labs. If the company fails to deliver its projects or changes strategy, APE has little standalone value.
- No fundamental value driver: Unlike Bitcoin (digital store of value) or Ethereum (smart contract platform), APE lacks a clear, independent use case beyond the BAYC ecosystem.
Note: This article does not constitute investment advice. APE is among the most speculative cryptocurrencies on the market. Only invest money you can afford to lose completely.
Conclusion: Should you buy ApeCoin?
ApeCoin is a speculative token whose future is inseparably tied to the Bored Ape Yacht Club and Yuga Labs. ApeChain gives the token technical utility for the first time as a gas token. Whether that utility is enough to support the price in the long term is questionable given the low network activity and the crashed NFT market.
Anyone investing in APE is betting that Yuga Labs can turn things around with Otherside and the ApeChain ecosystem. That’s possible, but by no means certain. For most investors, the risks outweigh the opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about ApeCoin
- Is ApeCoin still worth it?
APE is trading around 95% below its all-time high. The NFT market has collapsed, network activity on ApeChain is low, and further token unlocks are on the horizon. While ApeChain gives the token technical utility, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough for a sustainable recovery. A blanket recommendation isn’t possible. APE is highly speculative.
- What is ApeChain?
ApeChain is a Layer 3 blockchain based on Arbitrum Orbit, launched in October 2024. APE serves as the gas token. Transaction costs are low (approx. $0.007), though user numbers have dropped significantly following the initial hype.
- Where can I buy ApeCoin?
APE is available on regulated crypto exchanges like Bitvavo and Bitpanda. You can deposit via SEPA transfer, credit card, or PayPal and buy APE instantly.
