Why did the price of VET fall?

VeChain (VET) dropped 2.68% in the last 24 hours to $0.0102, underperforming the slightly down broader crypto market. This continues a short-term downward trend, with VET down 11.63% over the past week. Here are the main reasons:

1. Technical Downtrend Continues – Key momentum indicators show ongoing selling pressure, with the price below all major moving averages.
2. Profit-Taking After Upgrade – The recent StarGate staking upgrade may have triggered some investors to sell after the news.
3. Weak Market Sentiment for Altcoins – The overall market is in “Fear” mode, with money moving away from riskier assets like altcoins.

Deep Dive

1. Technical Downtrend (Bearish Impact)

Overview: VET is trading well below important moving averages, including the 200-day Simple Moving Average at $0.0187. The 7-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is 30.67, which means the coin is close to being oversold. However, the MACD histogram is still negative, confirming that selling momentum remains strong.

What this means: This suggests buyers aren’t confident at current prices. VET is stuck in a clear downtrend and could see more selling unless it breaks above resistance levels like the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at $0.011955. Also, low trading volume (turnover ratio of 0.0226) means liquidity is thin, which can cause bigger price swings.

What to watch: A sustained move above $0.0116 (50% Fibonacci level) could signal a short-term momentum shift.

2. Post-StarGate Upgrade Reaction (Mixed Impact)

Overview: VeChain completed its major StarGate dashboard upgrade on January 19, 2026, following the Hayabusa mainnet launch in December. This upgrade made staking easier and introduced a new rewards system tied to network demand.

What this means: While this is positive for VeChain’s long-term health, big upgrades often lead to a “sell the news” reaction. Investors who bought VET before the upgrade might be taking profits now, causing short-term selling pressure. Also, the end of a $15 million VTHO bonus pool for early stakers could reduce incentives for new buyers.

Key watch: Keep an eye on staking activity and validator participation to see if growth there can offset selling pressure.

3. Broader Risk-Off Market Sentiment (Bearish Impact)

Overview: The overall crypto market is cautious. The global Fear & Greed Index is at 34, indicating “Fear,” and total market volume dropped 32.7% in 24 hours. Bitcoin dominance is rising to 59.22%, meaning money is moving from altcoins to Bitcoin, which is seen as a safer asset.

What this means: As a mid-sized altcoin, VET is sensitive to market risk appetite. When investors are cautious, altcoins often underperform Bitcoin. Recent drops in major altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), which fell about 5%, show this trend and weigh on VET’s price.

What to watch: If the Fear & Greed Index moves back toward “Neutral” or “Greed” and Bitcoin dominance falls, conditions could improve for altcoins like VET.

Conclusion

VET’s recent decline is due to ongoing technical weakness, profit-taking after a major upgrade, and a cautious overall crypto market. For holders, this is a period of consolidation where long-term fundamentals are being tested by short-term market sentiment.

Key watch: Will VET hold above the important $0.0100 support level, or will breaking it lead to a deeper drop toward the recent low of $0.010007?

What could affect the price of VET?

VeChain (VET) is at a crossroads, balancing its strong business partnerships with a cautious crypto market.

1. Renaissance Upgrades – Recent updates like Hayabusa and StarGate have made VET’s economy more focused on staking and reducing token inflation. This could increase its value over time as more people use the network.
2. Enterprise Adoption Pace – Partnerships with companies like BMW and Walmart, plus a European MiCA license, give VET real-world use. But the price depends on how quickly these deals turn into steady network activity.
3. Market Sentiment & Cycles – Right now, the market is cautious (“Fear” sentiment) and Bitcoin dominates trading. This limits momentum for altcoins like VET, so a price jump depends on a broader market shift toward risk-taking.

Deep Dive

1. Tokenomics Overhaul (Positive for VET)

VeChain recently finished major upgrades called Hayabusa and StarGate, moving to a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) system. Instead of passively earning VTHO tokens, rewards now go only to those who actively stake their VET tokens. This reduces the number of unused tokens flooding the market and introduces token burning, which can make VET more scarce over time (Decrypt). StarGate also lowered the staking minimum to 10,000 VET and offers annual returns between 5% and 8% (CMC).

Why it matters: This encourages people to hold and stake VET longer, reducing selling pressure. As more tokens get locked up, scarcity could push the price higher if demand grows. However, these effects will likely take time as users adjust and new validators join.

2. Enterprise Adoption vs. Market Mood (Mixed Effects)

VeChain’s main strength is its use in real businesses for supply chain tracking and sustainability, with partners like BMW, Walmart China, and Lululemon. It also holds a MiCA license, which means it meets European Union regulations (CMC). But the overall crypto market is cautious right now. The total market value dropped 6.61% in the past week, and the Fear & Greed Index shows “Fear” at 34 as of January 23, 2026. Bitcoin still dominates with 59.21% market share, limiting gains for altcoins like VET.

Why it matters: These business partnerships provide a strong foundation for long-term growth, separate from speculation. But in the short term, VET’s price will likely follow the overall altcoin market mood. Until investors feel more confident and move money out of Bitcoin, VET’s price gains may be limited.

3. Technical Signals & Buying Activity (Neutral to Slightly Positive)

Currently, VET trades at $0.0102, below key moving averages (7-day average: $0.0109, 200-day average: $0.0187), indicating a bearish trend. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is 37.88, nearing oversold but not quite there. On-chain data and social media show quiet accumulation, meaning some investors are buying quietly while the price stays flat (FrienDowJones Ⓥ).

Why it matters: The technical picture shows selling pressure and no immediate signs of a rally. But the oversold conditions and steady buying suggest smart investors may be preparing for a future price increase. For a strong rebound, VET would need to break above the 200-day moving average near $0.0187.

Conclusion

VeChain’s price outlook depends on its growing real-world use versus a cautious crypto market. The recent tokenomics upgrades create a solid base for value growth, but it will take time for the market to fully respond. For current holders, this might be a good time to accumulate, though short-term price swings may remain limited.

The big question: Will increased enterprise use help VET break free from the overall altcoin market’s ups and downs?

What are people saying about VET?

VeChain’s community is weighing positive price trends against overall market uncertainty. Here’s what’s making headlines:

1. A major supporter predicts a strong growth phase, or “supercycle,” in 2026, based on solid project fundamentals.
2. An investor is buying VeChain at prices lower than the previous cycle’s low, seeing it as a good value.
3. An analyst points out improving project fundamentals but warns of unpredictable price resistance and broader economic concerns.
4. A trading educator highlights rapid contract growth and a huge $52 trillion market opportunity for VeChain.

In-Depth Look

1. @VETlieber: Predicting a 2026 “Supercycle” — Bullish

"Supercycle is possible for VeChain $VET for this 2026, proof me wrong 👇🏽"
– @VETlieber (6,379 followers · 2026-01-18 09:08 UTC)
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What this means: This is a positive sign for VeChain because it shows strong confidence from a dedicated community member. The term “supercycle” suggests a long-lasting and significant price increase, based on VeChain’s long-term plans and growth potential.

2. @Timothy36660780: Buying at Cycle Lows — Bullish

"2026 is BEARISH for me. However $VET price now 1.2 cents is less than last cycle minimum 1.5 cents. And Vechain is expanding... So bullish. I just bought some $VET, 1st buy in 2026"
– @Timothy36660780 (816 followers · 2026-01-07 09:03 UTC)
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What this means: This is a positive sign because it shows investors are buying VeChain at prices lower than the previous cycle’s lowest point. This kind of buying, called accumulation, often builds a strong price floor and signals confidence in the project’s future.

3. @wtfcash_real: Better Fundamentals but Market Risks — Mixed

"VeChain ($VET) finally doing work? 💩 score went from 50 to 40 – they're slashing VTHO inflation, pushing decentralization... Fundamentals are tightening up. BUT, macro fears are real, charts are still choppy with resistance."
– @wtfcash_real (638 followers · 2025-12-31 12:29 UTC)
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What this means: This is a mixed outlook. VeChain is improving its core strengths, like reducing inflation of its token and increasing decentralization, which are good signs. However, broader economic worries and technical price challenges mean short-term gains might be limited.

4. @cryptoUeducate: Highlighting Ecosystem Growth — Bullish

"🚨 NEW VIDEO: VeChain Technical Analysis 🚨 $VET holding structure perfectly above key demand zone... What most people are missing: - 15x contract growth since 2021 - $52T+ market opportunity"
– @cryptoUeducate (3,521 followers · 2026-01-11 23:25 UTC)
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What this means: This is a positive sign because it points to strong growth in VeChain’s network use, with contracts increasing 15 times since 2021. It also highlights the huge potential market VeChain can tap into, which could attract more investors over time.

Conclusion

Overall, opinions on VeChain are mixed but tend to be optimistic about its fundamentals. Long-term investors are buying based on the project’s value and growth, while short-term traders remain cautious due to market-wide challenges. Keep an eye on increases in Total Value Locked (TVL) in the Stargate staking program—this is a key indicator of ongoing investor confidence and capital commitment.

What is the latest news about VET?

VeChain’s latest updates focus on practical improvements rather than hype, highlighting a major staking upgrade and a new exchange listing:

1. StarGate Upgrade Completed (January 19, 2026) – A new staking dashboard and flexible rewards system make it easier and more transparent to stake VET.
2. Kraken Lists VET for Trading (January 2, 2026) – VET is now available for spot trading against USD and EUR on Kraken, increasing access and liquidity.

Deep Dive

1. StarGate Upgrade Completed (January 19, 2026)

What happened: VeChain finished upgrading its StarGate dashboard, part of its move to a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) system on the Hayabusa mainnet. The upgrade introduces a user-friendly staking interface, lowers the minimum stake to 10,000 VET (about $200), and uses Delegator NFTs to simplify managing stakes. It also changes how VTHO rewards are given—from a fixed amount to a system based on actual network use, which helps reduce inflation. Since the Hayabusa launch, over 9 billion VET have been staked.

Why it matters: This upgrade is positive for VET because it makes staking more accessible and aligns rewards with real network activity, encouraging long-term holding and improving network security.
(Source: CoinMarketCap)

2. Kraken Lists VET for Trading (January 2, 2026)

What happened: Kraken, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange, added VeChain (VET) to its platform, allowing users to trade VET directly against the US Dollar and Euro.

Why it matters: This listing is a positive step for VET, as it increases liquidity and makes it easier for both individual and institutional investors in major markets to buy and sell VET. This can help stabilize the price and improve market confidence.
(Source: CoinMarketCap)

Conclusion

VeChain is steadily advancing its roadmap with important upgrades to staking and exchange availability, focusing on practical use and readiness for institutional investors. These improvements could help VeChain gain momentum as the overall altcoin market recovers.

What is expected in the development of VET?

VeChain is making steady progress with these key updates:

1. StarGate Dashboard Upgrade (January 19, 2026) – The staking platform now has a cleaner design, better tools to track your staked VET, and a new Delegator NFT system that makes managing your stake easier.
2. Legacy Node Migration Deadline (March 15, 2026) – If you hold the older Economic or X-Nodes, you need to switch to the new StarGate staking system by this date to keep earning rewards.
3. Intergalactic Phase Launch (2026) – The final phase of VeChain’s upgrade focuses on making the network work smoothly with other blockchains and fully compatible with Ethereum’s technology.

In-Depth Look

1. StarGate Dashboard Upgrade (January 19, 2026)

What happened: VeChain improved its official staking site at app.stargate.vechain.org (source, Jan 21, 2026). The new design makes it easier to see how much VET you’ve staked, track your earned VTHO (VeChain’s utility token), and check validator rewards, which usually range from 5% to 8% annually. The standout feature is the Delegator NFT, which acts like a digital ticket representing your stake. You can “burn” this NFT to unstake your tokens, simplifying the process.

Why it matters: This upgrade lowers the technical hurdles for users, encouraging more people to stake their VET. More staking means better network security and a stronger community, which is good news for VeChain’s growth.

2. Legacy Node Migration Deadline (March 15, 2026)

What happened: After the Hayabusa upgrade, VeChain replaced its old node system (Economic and X-Nodes) with the new StarGate staking system. The foundation has set March 15, 2026, as the last day for holders of these old nodes to move their stakes to the new system if they want to keep earning rewards (source).

Why it matters: This is mostly an administrative update. It ensures everyone is using the improved staking system, which is more efficient. However, if many users don’t migrate in time, they could miss out on rewards or lose engagement.

3. Intergalactic Phase Launch (2026)

What happened: The Intergalactic phase is the final step in VeChain’s Renaissance upgrade, planned for 2026 (source, Dec 8, 2025). This phase aims to enable smooth interaction with other blockchains (cross-chain interoperability) and full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means developers can more easily bring Ethereum apps to VeChain, and assets can move freely between different blockchain networks.

Why it matters: This is a big positive for VeChain. It opens the door to more developers and users, expanding the network’s reach and usefulness. Greater compatibility and liquidity could drive higher demand for VET.

Conclusion

VeChain is focusing on strengthening its new staking system before launching the cross-chain and developer-friendly Intergalactic phase in 2026. The big question is: how quickly will the total value locked (TVL) in the network grow as users adopt the StarGate system? This will be a key indicator of VeChain’s future success.

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What updates are there in the VET code base?

VeChain’s technology has improved significantly through key updates outlined in its Renaissance roadmap.

1. StarGate Dashboard Upgrade (January 19, 2026) – A better staking interface that uses NFTs to simplify delegation and lets users track rewards live.
2. Hayabusa Mainnet Activation (December 2, 2025) – Switched to a Delegated Proof-of-Stake system, changing how tokens and rewards work.
3. Galactica Phase Completion (July 1, 2025) – Introduced flexible transaction fees, compatibility with Ethereum, and started burning base fees.

In-Depth Look

1. StarGate Dashboard Upgrade (January 19, 2026)

What happened: This update improved the main staking dashboard, making it easier for users to delegate their VeChain (VET) tokens and see their rewards in real time. The dashboard, available at app.stargate.vechain.org, now shows total VET staked, VTHO distributed, and annual percentage yields (APYs) for nodes and NFTs. Staking positions are represented as Delegator NFTs, which simplifies choosing validators and claiming rewards. Since launch, over 9 billion VET has been staked.

Why it matters: This upgrade is positive for VET holders because it makes earning rewards more straightforward and transparent. A smoother user experience encourages more people to participate, which strengthens the network’s security and growth.

(CoinMarketCap)

2. Hayabusa Mainnet Activation (December 2, 2025)

What happened: Hayabusa was VeChain’s biggest network upgrade since 2018. It replaced the old Proof-of-Authority system with a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus, which is a more open and community-driven way to validate transactions.

This change stopped the automatic generation of VTHO tokens just by holding VET. Now, only VET that is actively staked produces VTHO, linking token supply directly to network use. The upgrade also introduced a 100% burn of the base transaction fee and controls to manage inflation. Validators had a seven-day transition period to switch to the new system.

Why it matters: This is a strong positive for VET because it creates a more sustainable and deflationary economic model. It rewards long-term holders and active participants, which can reduce selling pressure and increase the network’s overall value.

(Decrypt)

3. Galactica Phase Completion (July 1, 2025)

What happened: Galactica was the first step in the Renaissance roadmap. It updated VeChain’s fee system by introducing dynamic gas fees inspired by Ethereum’s EIP-1559. This means a portion of transaction fees (paid in VTHO) is permanently burned, reducing supply over time. The upgrade also made VeChainThor fully compatible with Ethereum’s Shanghai hard fork, making it easier for developers to move apps between the two networks.

Why it matters: This update laid important groundwork for future improvements. It made the network more efficient and developer-friendly, while starting to apply deflationary pressure on VTHO tokens. Overall, it was a neutral to positive step for VET’s ecosystem.

(CoinMarketCap)

Conclusion

VeChain’s recent upgrades show a clear plan to decentralize its network and build a sustainable, deflationary token economy. The latest StarGate dashboard makes it easier for users to engage with the network. Looking ahead, the upcoming "Intergalactic" phase in 2026 aims to improve cross-chain interoperability, potentially expanding VeChain’s reach and utility even further.