The Plunge of Metaverse Tokens: Why Investors Are Counting Their Losses
In November 2021, the Metaverse sector was booming in the crypto market, with the “big four” projects – The Sandbox (SAND), Axie Infinity (AXS), Enjin Coin (ENJ), and Decentraland (MANA) – dominating the space. However, as of September 2023, these tokens have collectively seen a staggering 92% decline in market capitalization, dropping from $16 billion to $1.23 billion. This decline highlights a loss of interest from crypto investors in the metaverse sector, leading them to allocate their capital elsewhere.
Key Points:
- The cumulative market capitalization of the “big four” metaverse tokens peaked at $16 billion in November 2021.
- Metaverse projects faced criticism for issues such as security, privacy, and a lack of long-term incentives.
- Metaverse tokens now only account for 0.12% of the global crypto market cap.
- Historical In/Out of the Money (IOMAP) data shows that a majority of ENJ, MANA, AXS, and SAND holders are currently in losses.
- The SEC’s lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase further impacted the Metaverse sector.
With the decline in market capitalization and the negative sentiment surrounding the metaverse, the chances of a rebound appear to be getting slimmer. However, this bearish sentiment could present an opportunity for strategic investors looking to buy the dip in hopes of a future resurgence.
Hot Take: The metaverse sector has experienced a significant decline in market capitalization, leading to losses for many investors. The criticisms surrounding security and long-term utility, along with regulatory challenges, have contributed to this downturn. While the future of the metaverse remains uncertain, some investors may see this as an opportunity to invest strategically in the hopes of a potential rebound.