LayerZero’s ZRO trades near $1.89 as of writing, marking gains of about 15.8% over the past 7 days and more than 43% over the last 30 days. The move stands out because it comes immediately after a large token unlock that introduced more than 25 million new tokens into circulation. How did the market respond? With steady buying that kept prices firm and sentiment constructive.
ZRO extended its recovery toward the $2 level on Wednesday, even as broader crypto markets faced pressure from escalating US-EU trade tensions. The price action suggests that short-term demand absorbed the new supply without disruption, an outcome traders rarely expect during unlock events.
Token Unlock Tests Market Depth
On Tuesday, LayerZero unlocked roughly 25.71 million ZRO tokens, representing about 6.36% of total supply. Private investors and core team allocations accounted for most of the release. Such events often spark selloffs, as early holders gain liquidity. This time, price behavior told a different story.
ZRO continued to trend higher after the unlock, signaling that buyers met selling interest quickly. Volume patterns supported that view, as trading activity remained elevated throughout the session. The market treated the unlock as a rotation event rather than a supply shock. Why does that matter? It highlights confidence in near-term demand rather than fear of dilution.
Derivatives Data Points to Retail Momentum
Derivatives markets reinforced the bullish narrative. ZRO futures open interest jumped by more than 30% in the last 24 hours, climbing to over $47 million. Rising open interest alongside price gains often reflects new positions entering the market rather than short covering alone.
Source: Coinglass
Funding rates also shifted. The rate improved to around -0.0060% from earlier levels near -0.0353%. That change signals reduced selling pressure from new futures positions. Traders appear less inclined to bet against the rally, at least in the short term. Retail participation seems to drive much of this activity, judging by position sizing and exchange data.
Technical Structure Turns Constructive
From a technical perspective, ZRO trades near the resistance of a descending parallel channel. The price rebound has brought the token to a critical resistance area that traders watch closely. A daily close above that channel, with strong volume and momentum, could open the path toward higher levels.
Source: Worldofchartsfx via X
Momentum indicators align with the recovery. The Relative Strength Index has moved into overbought territory, and strong trends often keep RSI elevated without triggering immediate reversals. Other indicators, including DMI, Supertrend, and MACD, also point toward trend continuation.
Can the market maintain that strength? The next daily close may provide clarity.
If ZRO holds above channel resistance, chart projections suggest a potential move toward the $2.50 area. A rejection, on the other hand, could keep price action contained within the existing range.
Fundamental Themes Add Another Layer
Beyond charts, traders continue to track LayerZero’s broader ecosystem narrative. Market participants focus on governance dynamics and future fee structures within the cross-chain messaging space. Some observers note that if competitors attempt to influence governance outcomes, they may need to acquire significant ZRO supply, which could affect circulating availability.
Earlier reports highlighted strategic activity across the interoperability sector, including large bids and acquisitions that underline the value of cross-chain infrastructure. These developments keep LayerZero on traders’ radar, especially during periods of heightened on-chain activity.
What Comes Next for ZRO?
ZRO’s ability to absorb a large token unlock while attracting fresh derivatives interest places it in focus as the market searches for relative strength. The $2 level now acts as a psychological and technical pivot. Will buyers push through resistance, or will consolidation follow?
The answer is likely to be a Yes. Why? Price action, volume, and derivatives data align in favor of continued momentum. The next sessions should reveal whether demand continues to outweigh supply as ZRO navigates this critical zone.
Source: https://coinpaper.com/13933/layer-zero-soaks-up-25-m-token-unlock-as-zro-price-jumps-43-in-30-days
