Why did the price of LEO fall?
UNUS SED LEO (LEO) dropped 2.92% in the last 24 hours, underperforming the overall crypto market, which fell 1.61%. Here’s why:
- Market-wide risk-off mood – Investors are selling altcoins as Bitcoin gains dominance.
- Technical breakdown – LEO fell below important price support, triggering automatic sell orders.
- Pressure on exchange tokens – Other exchange tokens like CRO and OKB dropped more, but the sector’s weakness also affected LEO.
Deep Dive
1. Crypto Market Contagion (Negative Impact)
Overview: On November 6, 2025, the total crypto market value dropped 1.61% as Bitcoin fell below $103,000. This caused investors to sell altcoins, including LEO. The Fear & Greed Index was at 21, indicating “Extreme Fear,” so investors preferred holding cash over riskier assets like exchange tokens.
What this means: LEO’s 2.92% decline was sharper than Bitcoin’s 1.61% drop, showing that altcoins are more sensitive to market fears. The Altcoin Season Index fell to 23, signaling a shift of money away from tokens like LEO toward Bitcoin.
2. Technical Breakdown (Negative Impact)
Overview: LEO’s price fell below its 30-day simple moving average (SMA) of $9.40 and the Fibonacci 23.6% retracement level at $9.45. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropped to 18.74, the lowest since August 2025, indicating the token is oversold. The MACD indicator also turned negative.
What this means: These technical signals likely triggered automated trading systems to sell, increasing downward pressure. The next price support is at the 38.2% Fibonacci level ($9.30), but if LEO closes below $9.18 (50% retracement), it could fall further.
3. Exchange Token Sector Weakness (Mixed Impact)
Overview: Although LEO is down 10% from its all-time high, it performed better than competitors like Crypto.com’s CRO, which dropped 60%. However, the exchange token sector experienced $4.7 billion in outflows this week (PandoraTech).
What this means: LEO’s buyback program, funded by 27% of iFinex’s revenue, helps support its price. Still, the broader sector’s selloff created challenges. Trading volume surged 303% to $2.64 million, often a sign that a price bottom might be near.
Conclusion
LEO’s recent decline reflects a broader market risk-off mood combined with technical selling pressures. However, its fundamentals remain stronger than many peers. Over the past year, LEO has gained 52.54%, outperforming 72% of the top 100 cryptocurrencies (Galaxy Research).
Key point to watch: Will LEO hold the $9.18 support level? And can Bitfinex’s upcoming monthly token burn, expected on November 10, help stabilize the price?
What could affect the price of LEO?
LEO’s price is facing mixed pressures: buyback programs help keep it stable, but competition from other exchanges and broader economic risks create uncertainty.
- Buyback Burns & Revenue Links – iFinex uses 27% of its revenue each month to buy back and burn LEO tokens, reducing supply.
- Competition from Other Exchange Tokens – BNB leads the market, and volatility in this sector challenges LEO’s position.
- Broader Market Risks – Outflows from crypto ETFs and overall market fear could reduce demand for LEO.
Deep Dive
1. Buyback Burns & Revenue Links (Positive for LEO)
Overview:
LEO’s design requires iFinex, the company behind it, to burn tokens every month using at least 27% of its revenue (HitBTC). Since Bitfinex’s income depends on trading activity, more trading means more revenue and more tokens burned. As of November 2025, there are 922 million LEO tokens in circulation, down from 985 million at launch.
What this means:
By reducing the number of tokens available, this scarcity can help support LEO’s price even when the market is weak. For example, if Bitfinex’s revenue grows by 20% year-over-year, about 2.4 million extra LEO tokens could be burned annually, which may push the price up. However, this also means LEO’s success depends heavily on iFinex’s profitability, which is a potential risk.
2. Competition from Other Exchange Tokens (Challenges for LEO)
Overview:
BNB dominates the exchange token market with 81% of the $105 billion market, while LEO holds about 8% (CryptoQuant). Recently, tokens like CRO have dropped 40–60% from their highs, but LEO’s smaller 10% drop shows it has been more stable.
What this means:
LEO is seen as a “stable compounder,” meaning it tends to hold value better but doesn’t grow as fast as some competitors. If BNB’s ecosystem (like Binance Smart Chain and Launchpool) continues to grow, investors might move their money away from LEO, which could limit its price gains.
3. Broader Market Risks (Mixed Effects)
Overview:
Crypto ETFs experienced $204 million in outflows in early November 2025, coinciding with a 5% drop in LEO’s price. The Fear & Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, is at 21, indicating extreme fear. However, LEO’s low beta (0.3 compared to Bitcoin) means it tends to be less volatile.
What this means:
Institutional investors pulling money out of crypto could delay any price recovery for LEO. On the other hand, because LEO doesn’t move closely with Bitcoin (correlation of -0.12 year-to-date), it might attract investors looking for safer options if other altcoins continue to struggle.
Conclusion
LEO’s price stability depends largely on Bitfinex’s ability to maintain steady revenue and outperform weaker exchange tokens. While buybacks provide a price floor, heavy competition and broader economic challenges suggest LEO’s price may stay around $9 in the near term. Watch for iFinex’s Q4 revenue report (due December 2025) to see if increased buybacks can overcome market hesitation.
What are people saying about LEO?
LEO’s steady strength and practical token design are catching attention. Here’s what’s happening:
- Buyback burns and Bitfinex profits are creating a tighter supply, which could push prices up 🦁
- Price stability during a tough time for exchange tokens is making some see LEO as a "safe haven" 🛡️
- Mixed short-term results make traders cautious, even though the long-term outlook looks positive 📉
Deep Dive
1. @MrMinNin: Why LEO could be a quiet winner bullish
"LEO isn’t for quick trades—it’s for people who value real use and smart token management: revenue → buyback → burn → less supply → stronger price."
– @MrMinNin (3.3K followers · 4.5K impressions · 2025-10-22 20:18 UTC)
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What this means: This points out LEO’s deflationary system, where Bitfinex’s growing profits help reduce the number of tokens available (985 million max supply vs. 922 million circulating). LEO’s price has only dropped about 10% from its all-time high, compared to 40-60% drops for similar tokens, suggesting it’s a steady performer.
2. @hitbtc: Burn program uses 27% of iFinex revenue neutral
"Each month, tokens are bought and burned at market price—at least 27% of iFinex’s revenue."
– @hitbtc (255.9K followers · N/A impressions · 2025-08-01 12:03 UTC)
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What this means: The token burn helps make LEO scarcer, but trading activity is very low (only 0.0286% turnover in 24 hours), showing limited interest from everyday traders. Also, the burns depend on Bitfinex’s profits, which aren’t publicly detailed.
3. CoinMarketCap Community: LEO’s -10% drop vs. bigger losses in the sector mixed
"BNB (-6%) and LEO (-10%) have held up better than other exchange tokens, which fell 40-60% from their highs."
– CoinMarketCap Community (2025-08-05 22:58 UTC)
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What this means: LEO’s relative strength in a tough market (global crypto market down 21.27% in 30 days) makes it a defensive choice. Still, its one-year gain of 47.61% is less than Bitcoin’s 59.88% rise this year.
Conclusion
The general view on LEO is positive but cautious. Its buyback-driven scarcity and connection to Bitfinex give it solid backing, but low trading volume and reliance on unclear exchange data limit strong confidence. Keep an eye on iFinex’s next quarterly burn report—if they increase the burn beyond 27% of revenue, it could boost LEO’s momentum again.
What is the latest news about LEO?
LEO stands strong amid market ups and downs thanks to steady buybacks and useful perks, while many other cryptocurrencies struggle. Here’s the latest:
- LEO Shines During Market Slump (Nov 6, 2025) – Among the top 100 cryptocurrencies, LEO is one of the few holding steady despite widespread sell-offs.
- Bitfinex Buybacks Support Stability (Oct 22, 2025) – Bitfinex uses part of its revenue to buy back and burn LEO tokens, helping reduce supply and smooth out price swings.
- LEO Shows Strength Compared to Peers (Aug 6, 2025) – LEO’s price dropped only 10%, while similar tokens fell 40–60%, showing strong investor trust.
In-Depth Look
1. LEO Shines During Market Slump (Nov 6, 2025)
Summary: According to Galaxy Research, 72 out of the top 100 cryptocurrencies are still trading more than 50% below their highest prices ever. However, LEO is an exception, trading just 10% below its peak, alongside big names like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Even as Bitcoin dipped below $103,000 and many altcoins dropped sharply, LEO remained a top performer, supported by Bitfinex’s ecosystem.
What this means: LEO’s strong performance shows that investors value tokens with clear uses and built-in mechanisms to reduce supply during uncertain times. Because LEO is tied to Bitfinex’s revenue through buybacks, it offers some protection against the wider market’s weakness. (Yahoo Finance)
2. Bitfinex Buybacks Support Stability (Oct 22, 2025)
Summary: A popular analysis by EdgenTech explains how Bitfinex uses at least 27% of its revenue each month to buy back LEO tokens and burn them, meaning those tokens are permanently removed from circulation. With about 922 million LEO tokens currently circulating and a market value of $8 billion, this process helps reduce supply and ties the token’s value to the growth of the Bitfinex platform.
What this means: The buyback program helps keep LEO’s price more stable. If Bitfinex’s trading activity increases, more tokens will be burned, making LEO scarcer and potentially more valuable. This is reflected in LEO’s low weekly price swings (-3.8%) compared to the overall crypto market’s bigger drops (-21%). (Mr MinNin on X)
3. LEO Shows Strength Compared to Peers (Aug 6, 2025)
Summary: Data from CryptoQuant shows that LEO’s price fell only 10% from its highest point, while similar exchange tokens like CRO and OKB dropped between 40% and 60%. Bitfinex’s model of sharing revenue with token holders and offering benefits like trading fee discounts and affiliate rewards sets LEO apart from more speculative tokens without clear use cases.
What this means: Investors are increasingly choosing tokens that have steady demand and real-world benefits. LEO’s role as Bitfinex’s native token, combined with its buyback program, makes it a reliable option in a market often driven by hype and big price swings. (CryptoFrontNews)
Conclusion
LEO’s strength comes from Bitfinex’s revenue-linked token burns and practical uses, helping it avoid the sharp declines seen in many altcoins. While the broader market watches Bitcoin’s $100,000 level closely, LEO’s unique tokenomics provide a valuable hedge. The question remains: will growing institutional use of Bitfinex’s products boost LEO’s buyback program even more?
What is expected in the development of LEO?
UNUS SED LEO’s plan focuses on keeping its value strong by reducing supply and increasing its usefulness.
- Monthly Buyback & Burn (Ongoing) – iFinex uses at least 27% of its revenue each month to buy back and permanently remove LEO tokens from circulation.
- Fee Discount Enhancements (Q4 2025) – Bitfinex will offer bigger discounts on trading fees for derivatives traders who use LEO.
- Ecosystem Integration (2026) – LEO might gain new uses in Bitfinex’s updated payment system, Estable Pay.
Deep Dive
1. Monthly Buyback & Burn (Ongoing)
Overview: iFinex commits to spending at least 27% of its monthly revenue to buy back LEO tokens and then burn them, meaning these tokens are permanently taken out of circulation (HitBTC). So far, over 62.8 million LEO tokens—about 6.4% of all tokens—have been burned. This process is tracked in real-time on a public dashboard, ensuring transparency.
What this means: Burning tokens reduces the total supply, which can help support the token’s value if demand stays steady. This is generally positive for LEO’s market cap, currently around $8.6 billion. However, because Bitfinex’s revenue can fluctuate, the amount spent on buybacks might vary, which could affect the burn rate.
2. Fee Discount Enhancements (Q4 2025)
Overview: Bitfinex offers tiered discounts on trading fees for users holding LEO tokens. Derivatives traders can save between 0.5 to 1.5 basis points (bps) on taker fees (Bitfinex Fees). Upcoming changes aim to increase these discounts, especially for high-volume traders.
What this means: Offering bigger discounts encourages traders to hold more LEO, which can increase demand. This is a positive sign but may face competition from other exchange tokens like BNB, which also offer fee discounts.
3. Ecosystem Integration (2026)
Overview: Bitfinex plans to retire its current Pay service by September 2025 and focus on a new system called Estable Pay. While not confirmed, LEO could be used in this new platform for things like cross-border payments or loyalty rewards (Bitfinex Announcements).
What this means: If LEO becomes part of Estable Pay, it could gain new practical uses beyond just trading fee discounts. This would be a positive development but is still uncertain.
Conclusion
UNUS SED LEO’s roadmap centers on reducing token supply and integrating more deeply with Bitfinex’s platform. The ongoing token burns and upcoming fee discounts provide stability, but long-term growth depends on expanding LEO’s role beyond exchange perks. The rollout of Estable Pay could be a key moment for LEO’s future growth.
What updates are there in the LEO code base?
No recent updates have been made to the LEO codebase.
- EOS-to-Vaulta Integration (June 2025) – After a token swap, LEO services on Vaulta were restored.
- Affiliate Program Multipliers (March 2025) – Holding LEO now increases rewards in Bitfinex’s affiliate program.
Deep Dive
1. EOS-to-Vaulta Integration (June 2025)
Overview: Bitfinex completed a token swap from EOS to Vaulta (A), bringing LEO into this new system. This update made sure that LEO-related features like trading pairs and wallets continued to work smoothly.
The changes were mostly behind the scenes, updating systems to fit Vaulta’s setup. Importantly, LEO’s core technology wasn’t changed, showing that the focus was on making LEO compatible rather than altering how it works.
What this means: This update doesn’t add new features or improve security for LEO, but it keeps everything running as before. Users can continue using LEO on Bitfinex without interruption.
(Source)
2. Affiliate Program Multipliers (March 2025)
Overview: Bitfinex changed its affiliate program to reward users more if they hold LEO tokens. This encourages people to keep LEO, increasing its value within the Bitfinex ecosystem.
This isn’t a technical update to LEO’s blockchain but shows how the token is being used to boost engagement and demand.
What this means: This is a positive sign for LEO’s market demand because it encourages holding the token, which could reduce how many tokens are available for trading. However, it doesn’t improve technical features like transaction speed or security.
(Source)
Conclusion
LEO’s recent updates focus on fitting into the Bitfinex platform and increasing its usefulness rather than changing its underlying technology. Its future stability may depend more on how Bitfinex uses the token than on technical improvements.