On September 13, 2016, the digital art world witnessed a pivotal moment. The first Rare Pepe art asset, 𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗣𝗘, was uploaded to the Rare Pepe Directory. This wasn't just another meme. It was the start of a movement. A decentralized community of memers, artists, and crypto enthusiasts began to form. The Rare Pepe Project was revolutionary. Before blockchains and NFTs, digital ownership was a vague concept. Artists would often sell their digital art as URLs, prints, or large installations to create scarcity and value for their collectors. Rare Pepe, being blockchain native, was better for artists & collectors. Built on CounterParty, an asset layer on top of Bitcoin, every Rare Pepe transaction was essentially a Bitcoin transaction. This added scarcity, legitimacy, and security to the project. Pepe Under Attack But with popularity came challenges. Far-right groups began using the meme, leading to its association with hate symbols. The community faced a battle to reclaim its true meaning. @Matt_Furie, the original creator of Pepe, stepped in. He launched the "Save Pepe" campaign, emphasizing love, inclusivity, and humor. His efforts - and the community's resilience - led to the meme's rehabilitation. Rare Pepe's influence wasn't just Western-centric. During the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Rare Pepe became a symbol of hope and resistance, further cementing its global impact. Big Sales One defining moment was the HOMERPEPE card sale in January 2018. Created by an anonymous artist, it sold for $39,000. This was seen as lunacy by much of mainstream media, but to a small group of visionaries, they recognized this was only the beginning of people valuing digital ownership. Other Rare Pepe cards also saw significant financial milestones through the 2021 NFT explosion, with some trading for upwards of $600,000. The digital art world was taking notice. 2021 was a landmark year for Rare Pepe. Matt Furie crafted his own Rare Pepe card, FEELSGOODMAN. This card wasn't just an addition; it fittingly marked the culmination of the Rare Pepe Directory. No more Rare Pepe cards will ever be made. Today, as we reflect on Rare Pepe's journey, its legacy is clear. It paved the way for the NFT explosion, and more importantly, was a critical first step in the birth of digital ownership and value. The Rare Pepe community remains vibrant and innovative. New projects, like Fake Rares, have emerged, and gallery events celebrating the Rare Pepe legacy are organized worldwide. I expect the Rare Pepe story to only grow over time as it is a testament to the power of community, creativity, and technology. From a simple meme to a cornerstone of the digital art world, Rare Pepe is king.