News
Cryptocurrency Explained With Pros and Cons for Investment
What Is Cryptocurrency?
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. Most cryptocurrencies exist on decentralized networks using blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers.
A defining feature of cryptocurrencies is that they are generally not issued by any central authority, rendering them theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation.
Key Takeaways
- A cryptocurrency is a form of digital asset based on a network that is distributed across a large number of computers. This decentralized structure allows them to exist outside the control of governments and central authorities.
- Some experts believe blockchain and related technologies will disrupt many industries, including finance and law.
- The advantages of cryptocurrencies include cheaper and faster money transfers and decentralized systems that do not collapse at a single point of failure.
- The disadvantages of cryptocurrencies include their price volatility, high energy consumption for mining activities, and use in criminal activities.
Investopedia / Tara Anand
Understanding Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies underpinned by cryptographic systems. They enable secure online payments without the use of third-party intermediaries. “Crypto” refers to the various encryption algorithms and cryptographic techniques that safeguard these entries, such as elliptical curve encryption, public-private key pairs, and hashing functions.
Central to the appeal and functionality of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is blockchain technology. As its name indicates, a blockchain is essentially a set of connected blocks of information on an online ledger. Each block contains a set of transactions that have been independently verified by each validator on a network.
Every new block generated must be verified before being confirmed, making it almost impossible to forge transaction histories. The contents of the online ledger must be agreed upon by a network of individual nodes, or computers that maintain the ledger.
Experts say that blockchain technology can serve multiple industries, supply chains, and processes such as online voting and crowdfunding. Financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) are using blockchain technology to lower transaction costs by streamlining payment processing.
Types of Cryptocurrency
Many cryptocurrencies were created to facilitate work done on the blockchain they are built on. For example, Ethereum’s ether was designed to be used as payment for validating transactions and opening blocks. When the blockchain transitioned to proof-of-stake in September 2022, ether (ETH) inherited an additional duty as the blockchain’s staking mechanism. The XRP Ledger Foundation’s XRP is designed for financial institutions to facilitate transfers between different geographies.
Because there are so many cryptocurrencies on the market, it’s important to understand the types. Knowing whether the coin you’re looking at has a purpose can help you decide whether it is worth investing in—a cryptocurrency with a purpose is likely to be less risky than one that doesn’t have a use.
Most of the time, when you hear about cryptocurrency types, you hear the coin’s name. However, coin names differ from coin types. Here are some of the types you’ll find with some of the names of tokens in that category:
- Utility: XRP and ETH are two examples of utility tokens. They serve specific functions on their respective blockchains.
- Transactional: Tokens designed to be used as a payment method. Bitcoin is the most well-known of these.
- Governance: These tokens represent voting or other rights on a blockchain, such as Uniswap.
- Platform: These tokens support applications built to use a blockchain, such as Solana.
- Security tokens: Tokens representing ownership of an asset, such as a stock that has been tokenized (value transferred to the blockchain). MS Token is an example of a securitized token. If you can find one of these for sale, you can gain partial ownership of the Millennium Sapphire.
If you find a cryptocurrency that doesn’t fall into one of these categories, you’ve found a new category or something that needs to be investigated to be sure it’s legitimate.
How to Buy Cryptocurrency
If you want to use cryptocurrency to buy products and services, you will need to visit a cryptocurrency exchange. These are businesses that allow you to buy or sell cryptocurrencies from other users at the current market price, similar to a stock. After buying the coins, you will need to transfer them to a digital wallet or use a third-party service like Coinbase to store your coins.
If you only want to buy cryptocurrency as an investment, you may be able to do so through your brokerage. For example, Robinhood allows users to invest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, although you cannot withdraw them from the platform for purchases. In addition, there are several crypto ETFs that provide exposure to the crypto asset class without requiring the investors to maintain their own wallets. For instance, as of May 2024, investors may choose to hold Bitcoin futures ETF shares. The SEC has also approved the listing and trading of Ether spot shares.
Is Cryptocurrency Legal?
Fiat currencies derive their authority from the government or monetary authorities. For example, the U.S. dollar is recognized and issued by the government as the official currency of the United States and is “legal tender.”
But cryptocurrencies are not issued by any public or private entities. Therefore, it has been difficult to make a case for their legal status in different financial jurisdictions throughout the world. It doesn’t help matters that cryptocurrencies have primarily functioned outside most existing financial infrastructure.
In the U.S.
The legal status of cryptocurrencies creates implications for their use in daily transactions and trading. In June 2019, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommended that wire transfers of cryptocurrencies should be subject to the requirements of its Travel Rule, which requires AML compliance.
Although cryptocurrencies are considered a form of money, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats them as financial assets or property for tax purposes. And, as with most other investments, if you reap capital gains selling or trading cryptocurrencies, the government wants a piece of the profits. How exactly the IRS taxes digital assets—either as capital gains or ordinary income—depends on how long the taxpayer held the cryptocurrency and how they used it.
In the United States in July 2023, courts ruled that cryptocurrencies are considered securities when purchased by institutional buyers but not by retail investors purchased on exchanges.
Enthusiasts called it a victory for crypto; however, crypto exchanges are regulated by the SEC, as are coin offerings or sales to institutional investors. So, crypto is legal in the U.S., but regulatory agencies are slowly gaining ground in the industry.
In Asia
Japan’s Payment Services Act defines Bitcoin as legal property. Cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the country are required to collect information about the customer and details relating to the wire transfer.
China has banned cryptocurrency exchanges, transactions, and mining within its borders, but has a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
India was reported to be formulating a framework for cryptocurrencies, but until it is enacted, crypto is not yet illegal. Exchanges are free to offer cryptocurrencies.
In Europe
Cryptocurrencies are legal in the European Union. Derivatives and other products that use cryptocurrencies must qualify as “financial instruments.” In June 2023, the European Commission’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation went into effect. This law sets safeguards and establishes rules for companies or vendors providing financial services using cryptocurrencies.
Is Cryptocurrency a Safe Investment?
Cryptocurrencies have attracted a reputation as unstable investments due to high investor losses from scams, hacks, bugs, and volatility. Although the underlying cryptography and blockchain are generally secure, the technical complexity of using and storing crypto assets can be a significant hazard to new users.
In addition to the market risks associated with speculative assets, cryptocurrency investors should be aware of the following risks:
- User risk: Unlike traditional finance, there is no way to reverse or cancel a cryptocurrency transaction after it has already been sent. By some estimates, about one-fifth of all bitcoins are now inaccessible due to lost passwords or incorrect sending addresses.
- Regulatory risks: The regulatory status of some cryptocurrencies is still unclear in many areas, with some governments seeking to regulate them as securities, currencies, or both. A sudden regulatory crackdown could make it challenging to sell cryptocurrencies or cause a market-wide price drop.
- Counterparty risks: Many investors and merchants rely on exchanges or other custodians to store their cryptocurrency. Theft or loss by one of these third parties could result in losing one’s entire investment.
- Management risks: Due to the lack of coherent regulations, there are few protections against deceptive or unethical management practices. Many investors have lost large sums to management teams that failed to deliver a product.
- Programming risks: Many investment and lending platforms use automated smart contracts to control the movement of user deposits. An investor using one of these platforms assumes the risk that a bug or exploit in these programs could cause them to lose their investment.
- Market Manipulation: Market manipulation remains a substantial problem in cryptocurrency, with influential people, organizations, and exchanges acting unethically.
Despite these risks, cryptocurrencies have seen a significant price leap, with the total market capitalization rising to about $2.4 trillion. Despite the asset’s speculative nature, some have created substantial fortunes by taking on the risk of investing in early-stage cryptocurrencies.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies were introduced with the intent to revolutionize financial infrastructure. As with every revolution, however, there are tradeoffs involved. At the current stage of development for cryptocurrencies, there are many differences between the theoretical ideal of a decentralized system with cryptocurrencies and its practical implementation.
Advantages
-
Removes single points of failure
-
Easier to transfer funds between parties
-
Removes third parties
-
Can be used to generate returns
-
Remittances are streamlined
Disadvantages
-
Transactions are pseudonymous
-
Pseudonymity allows for criminal uses
-
Have become highly centralized
-
Expensive to participate in a network and earn
-
Off-chain security issues
-
Prices are very volatile
Advantages Explained
Cryptocurrencies represent a new, decentralized paradigm for money. In this system, centralized intermediaries, such as banks and monetary institutions, are not necessary to enforce trust and police transactions between two parties. Thus, a system with cryptocurrencies eliminates the possibility of a single point of failure—such as a large financial institution setting off a cascade of global crises, such as the one triggered in 2008 by the failure of large investment banks in the U.S.
Cryptocurrencies promise to make transferring funds directly between two parties easier without needing a trusted third party like a bank or a credit card company. Such decentralized transfers are secured by the use of public keys and private keys and different forms of incentive systems, such as proof of work or proof of stake.
Because they do not use third-party intermediaries, cryptocurrency transfers between two transacting parties can be faster than standard money transfers. Flash loans in decentralized finance are an excellent example of such decentralized transfers. These loans, which are processed without requiring collateral, can be executed within seconds and are mostly used in trading.
The remittance economy is testing one of cryptocurrency’s most prominent use cases. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin serve as intermediate currencies to streamline money transfers across borders. Thus, a fiat currency is converted to Bitcoin (or another cryptocurrency), transferred across borders, and subsequently converted to the destination fiat currency without third-party involvement.
Disadvantages Explained
Though they claim to be an anonymous form of transaction, cryptocurrencies are pseudonymous. They leave a digital trail that agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) can follow. This opens up the possibility for governments, authorities, and others to track financial transactions.
Cryptocurrencies have become a popular tool with criminals for nefarious activities such as money laundering and illicit purchases. The case of Dread Pirate Roberts, who ran a marketplace to sell drugs on the dark web, is already well known. Cryptocurrencies have also become a favorite of hackers who use them for ransomware activities.
In theory, cryptocurrencies are meant to be decentralized, their wealth distributed between many parties on a blockchain. Ownership is becoming more concentrated, as witnessed by companies purchasing and holding them for price appreciation and investment fund managers buying them to hold in their funds.
One of the conceits of cryptocurrencies is that anyone can mine them using a computer with an Internet connection. However, mining popular cryptocurrencies requires considerable energy, sometimes as much energy as entire countries consume. The expensive energy costs and the unpredictability of mining have concentrated mining among large firms whose revenues run into billions of dollars.
Only 61 (1%) of the 4,568 Bitcoin blocks opened from May 15, 2024, to June 15, 2024, were opened by unknown addresses. The other 99% were opened by mining pools.
Though cryptocurrency blockchains are highly secure, off-chain crypto-related key storage repositories, such as exchanges and wallets, can be hacked. Many cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets have been hacked over the years, sometimes resulting in the theft of millions of dollars in coins.
Cryptocurrencies traded in public markets suffer from price volatility, so investments require accurate price monitoring. For example, Bitcoin has experienced rapid surges and crashes in its value, climbing to nearly $65,000 in November 2021 before dropping to just over $20,000 a year and a half later. Bitcoin prices had roared back by mid-2024. As a result of this vast range of volatility, many people consider cryptocurrencies a speculative bubble.
Is Crypto Actually a Good Investment?
Crypto can be a good investment for someone who enjoys speculating and can financially tolerate losing everything invested. However, it is not a wise investment for someone seeking to grow their retirement portfolio or for placing savings into it for growth.
Is Crypto Real Money?
One definition of money is something that is generally accepted as a medium of exchange, a measure or store of value, and a unit of account. By this definition, cryptocurrency is real money.
How Does Crypto Make You Money?
There are several ways cryptocurrency can make money for you. Decentralized finance applications let you loan your crypto with interest; you can stake a compatible one on a blockchain or at certain exchanges for rewards, or you can hold on to it and hope its market value increases. None of these methods are guaranteed to make money, but many people have benefitted from them.
The Bottom Line
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that are secured by cryptography. As a relatively new technology, they are highly speculative, and it is important to understand the risks involved before investing.
The comments, opinions, and analyses expressed on Investopedia are for informational purposes online. Read our warranty and liability disclaimer for more info.
News
Top 5 Crypto Pre-Sales for August 2024
Have you heard about cryptocurrencies in 2011? Was Bitcoin so popular back then? Well, yes, some forward-thinking people saw its potential early and invested in BTC back then. Investors were skeptical about this new financial element; however, many took the risk and invested what they could risk in the cryptocurrency market.
Going through the list of top presales, we have identified and studied five of the main candidates that can change the game on the trading charts. These new opportunities promise the best returns and a great chance to buy tokens at affordable prices. While 5thScape is at the top of our recommendation, projects like DarkLume and Artemis Coin are pioneers in their respective categories.
Top 5 Crypto Pre-Sales to Add to Your Watchlist in 2024
Below we present the top five cryptocurrency pre-sales that you should consider adding to your investment watchlist.
- 5th Landscape (5SCAPE) – King of digital VR gaming with AR/VR elements
- Dark light (DLUME) – Virtual Metaverse for Social Exploration
- SpacePay (SPY) – Versatile Financial Payment Gateway for Seamless Transactions
- EarthMeta (EMT) – Replicating our planet on a virtual platform
- Artemis Coin (ARTMS) – NFT Marketplace for Digital Real Estate Investment
In-Depth Review: The Best Crypto Pre-Sales of 2024
Now, let’s take a closer look at these pre-sale events and how they can help investors make significant profits this year.
5th Landscape (5SCAPE)
The 5thScape project combines emerging technology using the fundamentals of virtual and augmented reality on the Ethereum platform using its native currency as 5SCAPE. Users of the token experience increased security and interactive gameplay in the digital space.
Here are the potential reasons why investors are admiring the 5thScape ecosystem:
Immersive Gameplay: With over five game titles, the platform is ready to amaze the audience with games ranging from archery, sports, battle and high-speed racing.
Innovative VR Content: 5thScape’s progress in the crypto-gaming space will contribute to the development of educational resources and other VR content on the website.
Motion Control Gadgets: This project is working hard to introduce VR devices such as headsets and gaming chairs with precise controls and high-resolution soundscapes to achieve the best immersive feeling while exploring the ecosystem.
Practical utility: 5SCAPE tokens stimulate participation in various activities and convert the ecosystem into economic value for investors.
Staking Opportunities: Acquiring 5SCAPE tokens after listing on exchanges can generate higher earnings
Free Giveaways and Prizes: The distribution of free coins and VR subscriptions attract investors.
Visit 5thScape for more details>>
Dark Light (DLUME)
We just saw how 5thScape captures investors with its AR/VR digital landscape. DarkLume works on similar VR principles but has a completely new VR metaverse. Its presale is about to hit the $1 million mark and simultaneously increase fund inflows.
What are the specifics that allow DarkLume to lead the metaverse industry?
Native currency: The project has DLUME as a digital currency that can be used for in-game purchases or upgrades. These utility tokens also give their holders the right to vote on the development and expansion of the project.
Benefits of staking: Investors who want to hold and earn from this currency expect to multiply their funds after the stock market listing.
Exploratory Metaverse: Once you enter this world, there is no turning back. There are so many opportunities to find recreational activities and relieve stress. Walking through lush landscapes and stargazing at night can be a memorable experience. If you are a party animal, DarkLume’s virtual discos and clubs will win you over.
Visit DarkLume for more details>>
Payment for space (SPY)
Traditional financial setups face many challenges in daily transactions and are also expensive. To solve these concerns, Maxwell Bunting founded SpacePay by combining cryptocurrency payments and blockchain technology. The London-based startup makes online shopping and payments more seamless by integrating its network with existing card terminals, allowing users to make payments in any digital currency. Merchants can choose to receive payments in conventional currency without having to pay exorbitantly.
SpacePay has designed a user-friendly and convenient interface that supports over 325 crypto wallets. SPY, the native token of this platform, serves to enable all transactions within its ecosystem. Tokens can also be used to generate passive income through staking and additional community rewards.
EarthMeta (EMT)
EarthMeta is a virtual metaverse created to replicate our planet, Earth. It is listed as one of the best crypto pre-sales of 2024, with a focus on creating new NFT platforms and virtual assets in premium cities. The startup encourages users to own and govern virtual landscapes.
Cities are then further broken down into smaller assets such as landmarks, buildings, monuments, parks, schools, and more. NFTs can now be bought and sold in the project’s marketplace. Governors are eligible to earn 1% fees per transaction within their city. EMT token holders can also generate more at once with custom API integrations and participation in DAO activities.
Artemis (ARTMS)
Today we have covered a number of financial projects that you can consider along with 5thScape, the most promising VR coins of the decade. Artemis (ARTMS) is a financial platform that allows investors to transact and trade using its digital asset, ARTMS. Users can also lend, borrow, stake, save, and generate rewards from yield farming.
The project is about to enter Phase 4 of development which will see the launch of the Artemis Crypto System. This system is customized to facilitate a large number of secure and transparent crypto transactions. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts and professional entities can buy and sell products such as smartphones, bicycles and internet services using crypto payments. Early investors have great advantages until the project is available at a discounted price in the pre-sale.
Read this before investing in the next cryptocurrency market
Experienced investors know the factors to consider before investing in this dynamic market. Here are some points that beginners should remember before securing a position in the cryptocurrency universe.
- It is essential to verify the project details and the founders.
- Read and understand the whitepaper for all the technical information about the ICO, the roadmap and the mission of the project.
- The project roadmap will provide greater clarity on milestones and results achieved.
- Review the fundamentals of the new technologies involved in the development of the platform.
- Before investing in any cryptocurrency, carefully evaluate the benefits and risks to avoid losses and build a profitable portfolio.
Conclusion
5thScape ICO Offers Tokens at Deeply Discounted Prices. Once the presale is over, the token price will skyrocket 434% from the first round and promise 600x returns to early investors. Who wouldn’t want to be part of an innovative and growing VR ecosystem? Check your details, review all the documents and start investing in 5thScape now.
Time flies, and so does the $100,000 prize.
News
Best Upcoming Cryptocurrencies for Long-Term Profits: Turn $100 Into $1000 With These Picks
Have you ever wondered how much return Bitcoin has given to investors who bought this gold cryptocurrency a decade ago? In 2014, Bitcoin reached its significant milestone of $1,000 in the first month. Currently, it is trading at around $64k, which is an astonishing 6300% increase in the span of 10 years. No stock, no ETF could ever give you such monumental returns. This simply proves that the cryptocurrency market turns your dreams of investment returns into reality.
While the established giants are not giving so much returns now, the ball is in the court of upcoming cryptocurrencies that are based on the development of projects to provide up to 1000x returns in the near future. In this article, we will explore 5 upcoming cryptocurrencies for long-term earnings that can turn your $100 into $1000 – the only key is strategic investing with a lot of patience!
Best Upcoming Cryptocurrencies For Long Term Profits
Below we list the top 5 cryptocurrencies for long-term gains, which are set to give you returns of up to 1000 times in the coming times.
- 5th Landscape (5LANDSCAPE)
- Dark light (DISGUST)
- BlockDAG (BDAG)
- eTukTuk (TUK)
- WienerAI (WAI)
Take a deeper look at the background of these 5 upcoming cryptocurrencies for long-term gains and see why they could be viable options for your cryptocurrency portfolio.
1. 5° Landscape (5SCAPE)
5thScape is changing the face of entertainment by merging augmented and virtual reality with blockchain technology, offering a VR content ecosystem unlike any other destination on the internet. Its native token, 5SCAPE, is the cornerstone of this innovative ecosystem. With a limited supply of 5.21 billion tokens, 5SCAPE offers early investors a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of a potentially transformative platform.
Combining the immersive experiences of VR technology with a cryptocurrency that has a real-world use case, 5thScape presents a compelling investment proposition. The project’s focus on providing unparalleled user experiences, coupled with its potential to generate substantial returns, makes 5SCAPE an ideal new cryptocurrency to have in your portfolio for long-term gains.
Click here to invest in 5thScape today >>
2. DarkLume (DLUME)
DarkLume is a meticulously crafted metaverse where users can experience a lavish digital lifestyle. At its core is the DLUME token, the currency that powers this virtual economy. By owning DLUME, users gain access to exclusive experiences, from owning virtual properties to attending high-society events and hosting virtual celebrations with their friends.
The metaverse is divided into virtual countries, each with its own citizenship requirements. To become a citizen, users must possess a specific amount of DLUME. Maintaining citizenship involves paying taxes in DLUME and creating a sense of community and responsibility among users.
Unlike other metaverse platforms that are limited to digital interactions only, DarkLume offers a wide range of activities, from leisure and entertainment to social interactions and exciting experiences. The platform’s focus on luxury ensures that every aspect of the metaverse is designed to exceed expectations. As DarkLume continues to grow, its DLUME token is expected to be in high demand. The metaverse concept is supported by renowned names such as Mark Zuckerberg and Satya Nadella. As it is the future of immersive socialization, the DLUME token is expected to appreciate in value over time.
Explore DarkLume’s website to learn more
3. BlockDAG (BDAG)
BlockDAG is an innovative blockchain platform that uses a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure together with blockchain technology to offer fast transaction speeds, lower fees, and better scalability.
Unlike traditional blockchains that process transactions sequentially, BlockDAG processes them in parallel, which allows it to handle a much higher transaction volume. This approach makes BlockDAG an ideal platform for applications that require high throughput and low latency, such as DeFi, gaming, and IoT. Its presale has been a great success so far, and BlockDAG’s adaptability may be an optimistic sign for early investors in the BDAG token.
4. eTukTuk (TUK)
eTukTuk is a new leading crypto project that combines sustainable transportation with blockchain technology. Its main goal is to electrify the famous “tuk-tuk” industry, reducing carbon emissions that cause environmental damage while creating a thriving ecosystem. Its TUK token powers the entire platform.
One of the most notable features of eTukTuk is its Play-to-Earn (P2E) gameplay. Players can earn TUK tokens by completing challenges and missions in the game. This gamified approach not only makes the platform engaging but also incentivizes user participation in building the eTukTuk ecosystem. The primary utility of the TUK token is as a mode of payment for tuk-tuk drivers who use EV charging stations for their vehicles installed across Sri Lanka. The project will soon expand to other countries.
Overall, the value proposition of the TUK crypto token is strengthened by its utility within the platform. It can be used to purchase electric tuk-tuks, charge them at the network’s charging stations, and access various platform services. As eTukTuk adoption grows, demand for TUK tokens is expected to increase, potentially resulting in significant appreciation in the token’s value.
5. WienerAI (WAI)
WienerAI is a new blockchain-based platform that uses next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology to transform the cryptocurrency trading space. Its flagship product is an AI trading bot (with a sausage-themed mascot) designed to analyze market trends, identify potential opportunities, and execute trades with zero errors. With the power of AI, WienerAI provides users with a market edge in the complex and dynamic world of investing.
The platform’s native WAI token is a digital asset that underpins the entire ecosystem. Token holders can enjoy various benefits, including discounted trading fees, priority access to new features, and even a share of the platform’s profits. As WienerAI gains traction and its AI trading bot proves successful, the continued flow of demand for the WAI token will fuel its price.
Final Thoughts: Best Cryptocurrencies for Long-Term Profits
Each cryptocurrency project explored in this article brings a unique and innovative perspective to the blockchain industry. From the immersive worlds of 5thScape and DarkLume to the efficiency gains of BlockDAG and the sustainability focus of eTukTuk, not to mention WienerAI’s AI-powered trading bot with a new approach to investing, these projects are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with blockchain technology.
While all of these projects are promising, 5thScape and DarkLume stand out as particularly interesting investment opportunities. The combination of 5thScape’s robust VR ecosystem tokenomics and unique AR/VR offeringstogether with the fantasy world of the DarkLume metaversehas the potential to appeal to a wide range of investors who may be entertainment lovers, not just cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Given their current presale stages, acquiring 5SCAPE and DLUME tokens at these early-bird prices could prove to be a strategic move for those seeking substantial returns.
This is a sponsored article. The opinions expressed are solely those of the sponsor and readers should conduct their own due diligence before taking any action based on the information presented in this article.
News
Avalanche Predicts ‘Most Bullish Unlock’ in Broader Market $1 Billion in Token Release
Token Unlocks data shows that several crypto projects:AvalancheWormhole, Aptos, SandboxArbitrum, Optimism and others are set to unlock around $1 billion worth of tokens in August.
Approximately $260 million will be allocated in the first three days of the month.
Crypto projects often schedule token unlocks to control the asset supply and prevent market oversaturation. This gradual release helps avoid significant sell-offs by early investors or team members who hold large amounts of crypto assets.
Wormhole and Avalanche to Release Over $400 Million in Tokens
The biggest news this month will be Wormhole and Avalanche.
On August 3rd, Hole in the walla cross-chain messaging protocol, will release 600 million tokens worth $151.67 million, or 33.33% of its circulating supply.
Avalanche will follow on August 20, unlocking 9.54 million AVAX tokens worth approximately $251 million, or 2.42% of its circulating supply.
The Token Unlocks dashboard shows that 4.5 million AVAX, worth $118.53 million, will go to the Avalanche team, 2.25 million AVAX, worth $59.27 million, will go to strategic partners, and the remainder will go to the Foundation and as an airdrop.
Farid Rached, former head of ecosystem growth at Avalanche, underlined that this planned unlock would be the most bullish in its history because “it is the last big step for the team and public/private investors.”
Other important unlocks
Sui, a layer 1 network, will unlock 64 million tokens worth $50 million, or 2.56% of its circulating supply, on August 1.
Similarly, decentralized exchange dYdX will issue 8.33 million tokens worth nearly $11 million, or 3.65% of its circulating supply. These tokens will be distributed to investors, founders, staff, and future employees.
Aptos will unlock 11.31 million APT tokens worth $74.64 million on August 12. These will be allocated to the Aptos community, top contributors, the foundation, and investors, with top contributors receiving the largest share: 3.96 million APT worth $26 million.
On August 14, Sandbox will release 205.6 million SAND tokens worth $66.75 million. This issuance will be split between the team, advisors, and a corporate reserve.
Finally, Ethereum’s layer 2 networks Referee AND Optimism will collectively unlock over $110 million worth of tokens by August 16 and 31, respectively.
Mentioned in this article
Latest Alpha Market Report
News
Big Tech Beats Bitcoin (BTC) as Trump’s Trade Cancellation Weakens Token
Bitcoin has failed to join the cross-asset rally fueled by dovish comments from the Federal Reserve, as the tight US election race casts doubt on Donald Trump’s ability to implement his pro-cryptocurrency agenda.
The digital asset slipped 2.4% on Wednesday, tracking a Fed-fueled surge in an index of the Magnificent Seven large-cap tech stocks by one of the widest margins in 2024. The token fell further on Thursday, changing hands at $63,750 by 6:10 a.m. in London.
-
Videos7 months ago
Money is broke!! The truth about our financial system!
-
News7 months ago
More Crypto AI Alliances Emerge Following $7.5 Billion Token Merger — TradingView News
-
News6 months ago
Over 1 million new tokens launched since April
-
Altcoins6 months ago
Render vs. Theta; Which DePIN Altcoin to buy in May
-
NFTs7 months ago
Surprisingly, Bored Apes is now laying off employees as the NFT market disintegrates
-
Videos6 months ago
Fantom: Potential FTM Price and BIG Updates – The Latest!!
-
Memecoins6 months ago
ChatGPT Analytics That Will Work Better in 2024
-
Videos6 months ago
Recession soon?? What this means for you and your wallet!!
-
Altcoins6 months ago
Altcoin Investments to create millionaires in 2024
-
Videos6 months ago
Crypto News: ETH ETFs, Pro-Crypto Politics, UNI, DOGE & MORE!
-
NFTs7 months ago
Trump endorses Bible line – after selling shoes, NFTs and more
-
Memecoins6 months ago
When memecoins reign supreme in the ecosystem!