The crypto market is facing a harsh reality for investors who bet on locked tokens.

According to recent data, between May 2024 and April 2025, these investors recorded an average loss of 50% compared to over-the-counter (OTC) valuations

Investors who bought locked tokens between May 2024 and April 2025 suffered an average loss of 50% compared to over-the-counter (OTC) valuations, according to recent data from STIX.

However, recent data from STIX reveals a stark reality for investors who bought locked tokens. An analysis of 26 prominent cryptos launched in May 2024 and April 2025 showcases the extent of these losses.

Between May 2024 and April 2025, investors who bought locked tokens at their initial coin offering (ICO) price realized an average loss of 50% compared to over-the-counter (OTC) valuations, highlighting a worsening distrust towards new projects.

The analysis highlights the severe impact on investors who bought into new projects in 2024. These projects, which launched their tokens with a prolonged vesting period, faced significant price crashes.

Scroll (SCR) and Blast (BLAST) saw their prices drop by more than 85% from their respective ICO prices. Eigenlayer (EIGEN) also suffered a substantial downturn with a 75% decrease in price. These alarming figures are in stark contrast to the performance of the broader crypto market, which saw a decrease of only 40.7% during the same period.

The contrast is even greater against Bitcoin (BTC), which experienced an increase of 45% in the same timeframe. Furthermore, a dollar invested in a locked token would currently be worth only 0.25 dollar on the OTC market.

These alarming results illustrate the major risk associated with prolonged vesting periods, which prevent any quick exit and expose crypto investors to uncontrolled price drops.

With more than 40 billion dollars in locked altcoins about to be released this year, the crypto market could face a massive wave of selling pressure.

This excess supply is likely to prolong the bearish trend on new projects. However, the shortening of vesting periods observed in 2025 could partially limit the damage.

Analysts anticipate a more selective market: only crypto projects showing strong traction and sustained organic demand should succeed in performing in 2025.

Despite the optimism surrounding the potential of new technologies like AI, the crypto market in 2025 is entering a crucial phase.

After two years of bullish momentum, which saw the total market capitalization triple to over three trillion dollars, the market is now faced with historic losses approaching 100 million dollars.

Moreover, the massive arrival of tokens is putting immense pressure on an already saturated market. In 2024 alone, more than 40 billion dollars in locked altcoins are about to be released, presenting a significant challenge for market recovery.

As a result, caution is more necessary than ever in the crypto world. Only the strongest projects will survive this onslaught of pressure. Investors will need to be extra vigilant to navigate an environment that has become much more selective.