In a recent development, tokens worth over $587 million of Ethereum scaling protocol Optimism are expected to be released into the open market on Tuesday as part of a scheduled unlock plan. The move has resulted in a 7% decline in OP token prices. For those who may be unclear, when tokens are “unlocked,” it gives the holders the option to sell or swap their tokens if they desire to do so.
The release of more than 386 million Optimism tokens, currently in the possession of early contributors and investors, will significantly impact the market as it will almost double OP’s circulating supply, which is currently at 335 million tokens. It is worth noting that these early investors are potentially sitting on considerable profits, making it very tempting for them to cash in and contribute to significant selling pressure.
As a result of the potential flood of tokens into the market, immediately available liquidity for OP token pairs across decentralized and centralized exchanges is less than $10 million. Even a single sell order of $600,000 could cause prices to dip 2% further on Binance. It’s clear that with such a market shift, stakeholders will need to take a closer look at their investment strategies.
This unlock event comes at a critical time, as OP tokens have been experiencing a downturn since February this year. The token’s value has dropped from $3 to $1.5, even while bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) have seen at least a 50% increase in value during the same period. On Tuesday, OP was trading at $1.50 with a trading volume of $103 million over the past 24 hours.
While the release of these tokens into the open market may generate a sense of unease among some, others may see it as an opportunity to acquire the tokens at a lower price. Ultimately, the pros and cons of such market events boil down to individual investors’ strategies and how they react to these fluctuations. The broader market will need to remain vigilant and adjust their investment plans accordingly.
In conclusion, the release of Optimism tokens into the market is likely to cause a temporary disruption in OP token prices. With early investors potentially cashing in on their gains, there will likely be noticeable shifts in the market. On the other hand, this situation may provide an opportunity for investors looking to buy OP tokens at a lower price. Whatever your perspective may be, staying aware and prepared for market fluctuations is essential for informed decision-making in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency.
Source: Coindesk
