Aptos' ($APT) native token faces resistance amidst an upcoming unlock event expected to increase circulating supply by almost 25 million tokens. The token has underperformed compared to the broader crypto market, declining by over 16% in a week where Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced gains. The unlock, scheduled for April 12th, will distribute tokens to core contributors, investors, community members, and the ecosystem development foundation, representing 6% of the current circulating supply and nearly double the average daily trading volume.
Aptos Token Faces Headwinds Ahead of Significant Supply Release
The native cryptocurrency of the Layer-1 blockchain Aptos (APT) has witnessed a notable underperformance against the broader crypto market in anticipation of a substantial supply release event later this week, poised to flood the market with an additional 24.84 million tokens.
Over the past seven days, APT has plummeted by more than 16%, starkly contrasting the gains posted by market heavyweights Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which have risen by 3% and 5%, respectively. This week's decline positions APT as the second-worst performer among the broad-market CoinDesk 20 Index, with only the token of decentralized exchange Uniswap (UNI) faring worse due to recent regulatory actions in the United States.
The impending supply event has cast a shadow over APT's price action. According to data from TokenUnlocks, the unlocking of previously locked-up tokens is scheduled to occur on April 12, with estimates suggesting that the actual release date could be within 1-2 days of that date.
The release is expected to distribute approximately $141 million worth of tokens to core contributors, $100 million to investors, $38 million to community members, and allocate $16 million to the ecosystem development foundation.
Token unlocks are a common practice in the cryptocurrency industry, as a significant portion of many cryptocurrencies are locked up in vesting to prevent insiders, such as early investors and team members, from flooding the market with tokens. Historically, these events have often led to price declines, as the increased supply outpaces investor demand for the asset, according to research by crypto analytics firm The Tie.
In the case of APT, the tokens to be released represent approximately 6% of the current circulating supply, which is nearly double the daily trading volume on exchanges, according to CoinGecko data. This suggests that the influx of tokens could have a significant impact on the market price of APT.
Analysts and investors are monitoring the situation closely, with some expressing concerns that the supply release could further weigh on APT's price. As the event draws near, it remains to be seen whether the market will absorb the additional tokens without significant disruption or whether the token will continue to face headwinds.
