Here’s why DeFi has struck a crippling blow to tokens like Tezos (XTZ) 🚨 This article is 4 years old...
Here’s why DeFi has struck a crippling blow to tokens like Tezos (XTZ)
2 min read
Updated: Aug. 22, 2020 at 10:33 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Throughout late-2019 and early-2020, protocol tokens with staking mechanisms garnered significant support amongst users, with tokens like Tezos (XTZ) drawing in massive inflows of investor capital due to lucrative monthly rewards.
Although a stable five percent+ annual yield may have been attractive six months ago, the advent and rise of decentralized finance has stolen the thunder from staking tokens.
So-called “yield farmers” can now collect incentives on multiple popular protocols that net 100 percent+ annual yields.
One economist believes that this is fueling Tezos’ ongoing decline, which may not end anytime soon as the popularity of yield farming continues growing.
Tezos’ strong uptrend shows signs of reversing as selling pressure mounts
After rallying earlier this month, Tezos’ strong uptrend has shown signs of faltering, with the cryptocurrency plunging from its recent highs of nearly $5.00 to recent lows of under-$3.50.
At the time of writing, XTZ is currently trading down nearly eight percent at its current price of $3.55.
Despite signs of short-term weakness, it is important to note that the crypto is trading up significantly from yearly lows of roughly $1.25.
Much of the cryptocurrency’s technical strength came about as a result of the parabolic uptrend that led it from its October 2019 lows of $0.75 to highs of $3.60 in February.
A combination of investor hype and the addition of XTZ pool staking on Coinbase last year sparked this movement, which helped it form a strong investor base that has contributed to its recent uptrend.
The hype surrounding this token may start faltering, however, as its staking mechanism is growing less attractive by the day as a myriad of DeFi yield farming opportunities arise.
The current annual yield on XTZ staking sits at 5.49 percent. Those who “bake” their Tezos can earn a total of 6.17 percent annually.
Economist: XTZ to face increasing pressure from yield farming incentives
While rebuking claims of Tezos being “Chainlink’s slow cousin” that will soon see a similar parabolic rally, crypto-focused economist Alex Krüger explained that he believes XTZ will be “murdered” by a collapsing staking appeal.
“XTZ is not the slow LINK cousin. One is a protocol token, the other an oracle token. XTZ is getting murdered for a good reason: its staking appeal has collapsed with the emergence of yield farming.”
Unless the DeFi sector sees a sharp decline in popularity that sends farming profitability reeling lower, investors will likely continue exiting staking-based token positions.
Tezos Market Data
At the time of press 10:33 pm UTC on Aug. 22, 2020, Tezos is ranked #13 by market cap and the price is up 1.71% over the past 24 hours. Tezos has a market capitalization of $2.62 billion with a 24-hour trading volume of $245.39 million. Learn more about Tezos ›
Crypto Market Summary
At the time of press 10:33 pm UTC on Aug. 22, 2020, the total crypto market is valued at at $362.01 billion with a 24-hour volume of $89.17 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 59.33%. Learn more about the crypto market ›
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Tezos is a new decentralized blockchain that governs itself by establishing a true digital commonwealth.
Alex Krüger is an economist, technical analyst, cryptocurrency trader and founder of Aike Capital.