Just now, the whole internet was holding its breath, staring at that number—86 dollars.
This is the last 'safety cushion' for Yi Lihua before going bankrupt. Watching a billion-dollar position nearly zero out in just a few days, this live broadcast-style massive loss is more oppressive than any Hollywood blockbuster. I can't help but have a chilling question:
Why did those top investors holding hundreds of thousands of ETH back off at the last moment?
In theory, as long as another wave is pushed down, a chain liquidation can be triggered, allowing for cheaper chips to be picked up at the bottom. This kind of 'tacit agreement to hold back' may be based on some undisclosed consensus in a deeper market game. On this night, when Lao Yi chose to 'lie flat' and wait for judgment, the sense of closure from these big players indeed evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Shifting from 'gambling' to 'infrastructure': Why is the focus on Plasma?
When retail investors are harvested amidst secondary market fluctuations, smart money has already started to lay out in tracks with stronger underlying logic. By 2026, the stablecoin ecosystem is no longer simply 'arbitrage', but the lifeblood of the entire crypto world.
This is why I have been reviewing @Plasma ($XPL) recently. Its recent performance resembles a tension-filled puzzle: the mainnet launch briefly surged to 1.54 USD, then retreated to 0.19 USD. Many are torn between 'cutting losses' or 'bottom fishing', but what I see is the pain of value returning.
Professional breakdown: Why is XPL an 'ecological driver' rather than 'air'?
Unlike those memes that only ride the wave, the design logic of XPL is very 'granular':
1. The chemical reaction between AI and finance: Don't just focus on it as a gas fee token. Against the backdrop of the deep integration of AI and decentralized finance in 2026, XPL is evolving into the underlying energy driving AI financial tools.
2. Extremely high activity of hot money: A 137% Vol/Mkt Cap ratio indicates that although the price is highly volatile, it is definitely not 'stagnant'. A trading volume of 70 million USD proves its dominance in the stablecoin sector.
3. The game between deflation and growth: An initial volume of 10 billion is indeed significant, but its unique 'buyback and burn' mechanism is constructing a long-term value flywheel.
Hardcore warning: The 'deep water' behind the opportunities.
Investing cannot rely solely on stories; data must also be considered. Currently, $XPL is in a contradictory spiral:
• Positive news: The staking launched in Q1 is expected to yield an annualized return of over 10%, which will lock up a large amount of circulating supply, making the goal of reaching 0.25 USD by the end of the year far from empty talk.
• Risk: In July 2026, there will be a large unlock of 25%. If that is a bear market, it's a storm; if it's a bull market, it's a feast.
Moreover, the rapid advancement of quantum computing in 2026 poses security challenges to all PoS chains. This depends on whether Plasma can resolve the systemic fluctuations caused by large whale sell-offs through subsequent technological iterations (such as its unique PlasmaBFT).
My personal insights
XPL is not the kind of speculative asset that makes you rich overnight and zero the next day. It is anchored to the essential scenario of 'zero-fee transfer of USDT'. If you're tired of being cannon fodder in the whale games of ETH, it’s better to focus on this underlying asset supported by substantial TVL (over 5.5 billion USD).
The current FDV has returned from an inflated level to a reasonable range. It resembles a long-term 'resilience game', suitable for those who can remain calm amidst volatility.
What does everyone think? Do you believe that $XPL can break the 0.5 USD barrier by the end of 2026? Or do you think the unlocking wave in July will be the best opportunity to enter? Let’s discuss in the comments!