ZRO slides 12% as token unlock pressure mounts: Spot buyers step in

Following the market drawdown on the 6th of October, LayerZero’s native token, ZRO, stood out as one of the few assets that rebounded swiftly.

The recovery erased prior losses and pushed a large share of holders back to breakeven. However, that momentum has since faded.

Back-to-back losses across the broader market have altered the tone, and ZRO has not been spared.

In its most recent leg lower, the token dropped 12% in 24 hours alone, reflecting renewed selling pressure and weakening confidence.

Technical structure shifts

After topping out around the 6th of October—just before a broader market correction that affected majors such as Bitcoin [BTC]—ZRO entered a prolonged downturn.

The asset declined 54% over a twelve-week stretch, establishing a clear bearish phase.

A reversal emerged in the week ending on the 29th of December. Buyers regained control, triggering a recovery that extended for six weeks through the 16th of February.

This rebound was decisive. ZRO rallied 114% during that window, fully reclaiming its previous losses and restoring short-term bullish structure.

Source: TradingView

However, the character of the market has changed again.

Over the past two weeks, price has fallen 10%, signaling that sellers have reasserted dominance. The shift suggests distribution rather than consolidation, with market participants increasingly positioning defensively.

Token unlock pressure weighs on demand

Fundamentals are reinforcing the technical weakness.

According to CoinMarketCap, approximately 32.6 million ZRO tokens—valued at $52.25 million—are unlocked on the 20th of each month.

This recurring supply injection creates structural headwinds, particularly when demand fails to absorb the added liquidity.

The latest unlock occurred on the 20th of February. With sentiment already fragile, the additional supply likely amplified downside pressure, limiting bid depth and contributing to ZRO’s underperformance.

In thin demand environments, unlock events often accelerate declines rather than merely extend them.

Holder distribution confirms exit trend

On-chain metrics show a steady contraction in holder count, reinforcing the narrative of distribution.

The decline became more pronounced on the 26th of January, roughly one week after the January unlock, as investors reduced exposure. Current data places the holder count at approximately 1.01 million addresses.

Market capitalization reflects the same deterioration. ZRO’s market cap has fallen 8.78% over the period, sliding from $592.16 million to $482.72 million at the time of writing.

In absolute terms, $109.44 million has exited the asset in less than a month—a clear indication of capital flight rather than rotational consolidation.

 Source: CoinMarketCap

Community positioning also mirrors the shift. Community Sentiment shows that bullish conviction dropped sharply on the 20th of February, falling from 88% to 75%.

Historically, such confidence drawdowns correlate with extended price weakness, as optimism retreats and speculative demand cools.

Unless sentiment stabilizes, downside volatility may persist.

Spot accumulation offers a counter-signal

Despite the broader weakness, Spot traders appear to be absorbing supply.

Data from CoinGlass indicated that in just over 48 hours, net Spot inflows reached $2.67 million. In practical terms, more ZRO was purchased than sold on Spot markets during that period.

When price declines alongside net accumulation, it often signals that a segment of market participants views current levels as discounted.

These buyers may be positioning for a medium-term rebound, betting that risk-to-reward conditions have improved.

 Source: CoinGlass

For now, ZRO sits at a crossroads. Unlock-driven supply, falling holder counts, and weakening sentiment tilt the structure bearish.

Yet, steady Spot accumulation suggests that not all investors have abandoned the asset—at least not yet.

Final Summary

• ZRO’s decline is tied to fundamental pressure, including its recurring monthly token unlock.
• Spot investors, however, continue to accumulate despite the broader sell-off.

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