Why did the price of APT go up?

Aptos (APT) increased by 0.52% in the last 24 hours, reaching $4.48. This is slightly below the overall crypto market gain of 0.68%. Over the past week, Aptos gained 6.28%, but its price is still about 7% lower than it was at the start of September. The main factors influencing this movement are:

1. Ecosystem growth – Integration with Aave and increased liquidity from WBTC
2. Technical breakout – Price surpassed a key resistance level at $4.45
3. Token unlock event – The market absorbed $28.96 million worth of unlocked APT tokens

Deep Dive

1. Ecosystem Growth (Positive Impact)

Overview: Aptos attracted $51 million in stablecoin deposits, ranking second among blockchain networks this week. It also saw $2 million deposited into Aave, a popular decentralized finance (DeFi) platform. The integration of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) through LayerZero since July allows Bitcoin-backed DeFi activities on Aptos, broadening its use cases.

What this means: More stablecoins in the system mean better liquidity, which helps traders and developers operate more efficiently. The Aave integration shows that Aptos is becoming a serious player in DeFi, while WBTC connects Bitcoin’s massive market (over $1 trillion) to Aptos’ ecosystem.

What to watch: Look for announcements about Aave offering incentives for APT holders and whether WBTC trading volume stays above $5 million per day.

2. Technical Breakout (Mixed Signals)

Overview: Aptos’ price moved above its 30-day simple moving average (SMA) at $4.47 and a key pivot point at $4.45. The MACD indicator turned bullish, signaling potential upward momentum. However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 52.38 suggests the momentum is neutral.

What this means: Short-term traders might see holding above $4.45 as a positive sign, but there is resistance ahead at the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA) around $5.50. Trading volume dropped by nearly 17% to $159 million in the last 24 hours, indicating cautious market participation.

Key levels: If Aptos can stay above $4.50, it might aim for $4.90, the July high. Falling below $4.45 could lead to testing support at $4.20.

3. Token Unlock Dynamics (Potential Downside)

Overview: On September 11, 11.31 million APT tokens worth about $28.96 million were unlocked, increasing the circulating supply by 2.2%. Such unlocks often put downward pressure on prices.

What this means: Despite the unlock, the price remained stable, which could mean institutions absorbed the new tokens or that sellers had already sold before the unlock. However, token holders might sell gradually over time, which could keep some pressure on the price.

Conclusion

Aptos’ small price increase reflects a balance between positive ecosystem developments and the risks of token dilution. Partnerships like NEAR/Shelby and growing DeFi activity show increasing utility, but Aptos needs to maintain total value locked (TVL) above $500 million to support higher prices.

Key points to watch: Can Aptos hold the $4.45 level after the token unlock? Will Aave deposits of APT double by the end of the month?

What could affect the price of APT?

Aptos is balancing strong ecosystem growth with the risks that come from upcoming token unlocks.

1. Token Unlocks ($28.9M on Sept 11) – Could lead to selling pressure but staking incentives help reduce this risk
2. Ecosystem Growth – Expansion in DeFi and real-world assets, Aave integration, and potential ETFs
3. Regulatory Developments – CEO’s role with the CFTC may encourage more institutional interest

Deep Dive

1. Token Unlocks & Vesting (Mixed Effects)

Overview:
On September 11, Aptos will unlock $28.96 million worth of tokens, which is about 1% of the total supply. This is part of a 10-year plan to gradually release tokens. While over half of the tokens are held by the community, monthly unlocks can increase supply and potentially lower prices. However, since 71% of the circulating APT tokens are staked (locked up to support the network), this helps reduce selling pressure.

What this means:
Past token unlocks, like the $50 million unlock in July 2025, had mixed effects on price. For example, APT’s price actually rose 13% in August despite those unlocks, showing that staking can offset the impact of new tokens entering the market. It’s important to watch how many tokens move to exchanges after the unlock, as this could signal increased selling risk.

2. DeFi & Real-World Asset Growth (Positive Outlook)

Overview:
Aptos’ Total Value Locked (TVL) — the amount of assets held in its decentralized finance (DeFi) apps — reached $1.29 billion in 2025. Key drivers include:

• Aave integration: $2 million in deposits since August
• WBTC support: $500 million worth of Bitcoin tokenized through xBTC
• Real-world assets (RWA): $722 million in tokenized assets from big players like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton

What this means:
Tokenizing real-world assets and attracting institutional money could increase demand for APT tokens. Aptos’ fast transaction speed (19,200 transactions per second) and its Move programming language make it attractive for businesses. Additionally, ETF filings (Bitwise) show growing confidence in Aptos’ long-term potential.

3. Regulatory Positioning (Encouraging Sign)

Overview:
In June 2025, Aptos Labs CEO Avery Ching joined the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Digital Assets Subcommittee, helping align Aptos with U.S. regulations. Wyoming also selected Aptos for its WYST stablecoin pilot program.

What this means:
Having direct involvement in regulatory discussions reduces uncertainty, which is a major barrier for institutional investors. Previous regulatory wins, like Wyoming’s support, have been linked to 5% price increases in APT.

Conclusion

Aptos’ price will depend on how well it manages ecosystem growth (through DeFi, real-world assets, and ETFs) against the risks from token unlocks. The September 11 unlock and expected trading volume above $10 billion in Q3 are key near-term tests. Over the long term, clearer regulations and more enterprise adoption could help APT reach its 2025 price forecast range of $18.84 to $31.32 (Zoomex).

Will Aptos keep its staking rate above 70% to offset the impact of token unlocks?

What are people saying about APT?

Conversations around Aptos (APT) swing between excitement about its technology and impatience over its price. Here’s what’s trending right now:

1. Developers highlight growth in real-world assets (RWA) and decentralized finance (DeFi) 🏗️
2. Traders focus on a potential price breakout above $5 versus support at $4.46 ⚔️
3. Regulatory progress is met with concerns about upcoming token unlocks ⚖️

Deep Dive

1. Ecosystem Growth Supports Optimism

@Web3_Oma reports:
“$702.96 million in total value locked (TVL), 868,000 daily active addresses, 74 active developers”
– Posted on September 6, 2025
View original post
What this means: These numbers suggest strong and growing use of the Aptos network, with around 3 million daily transactions and $1.24 billion in stablecoin liquidity. This points to real adoption of the platform’s infrastructure, even though the price has been steady.

2. BlackRock’s Investment vs. Token Unlock Risks

@Sasha_why_N shares:
“BlackRock invested $53 million through BUIDL… 32.5% of APT tokens will unlock through 2028”
– Posted June 8, 2025
View original post
What this means: While BlackRock’s investment signals confidence from big institutions, there’s concern about token unlocks that could increase supply and put downward pressure on the price. For example, $54 million worth of tokens are expected to unlock in August 2025.

3. Bitcoin Liquidity Boosts DeFi on Aptos

@WrappedBTC notes:
“Bitcoin liquidity now flows to Aptos via WBTC”
– Posted July 22, 2025
View original post
What this means: The integration of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) brings Bitcoin’s large market value (over $1 trillion) into the Aptos ecosystem. This is a positive sign for Aptos’ DeFi applications, making it easier for users to access Bitcoin liquidity on the platform.

Conclusion

The overall outlook on Aptos is mixed but cautiously optimistic. Developers are encouraged by the traction in real-world assets (around $719 million TVL) and the addition of WBTC liquidity. Meanwhile, traders are watching the price closely between $4.46 support and $5.15 resistance. A clear move above $5.15 could confirm the positive infrastructure trends, while failure to break through might lead to testing yearly lows again. The key question remains: will the technology momentum outweigh the risks from token unlocks? The price charts in the coming week will provide more clarity.

What is the latest news about APT?

Aptos is managing token unlocks and growing its ecosystem while aiming for a technical breakout. Here’s the latest:

1. Token Unlock (September 11, 2025) – $48 million worth of APT tokens entered circulation, testing market liquidity.
2. NEAR Partnership (September 4, 2025) – Enables swaps without bridges and adds decentralized storage features.
3. Japan Stablecoin Summit Sponsorship (September 7, 2025) – Highlights Aptos’ role in advancing stablecoin technology.

In-Depth Look

1. Token Unlock (September 11, 2025)

What happened:
On September 11, Aptos released 11.31 million APT tokens (about 2.2% of total supply), valued at $48 million. This is part of a planned schedule of token releases, bringing the total circulating supply to 689 million APT. Token unlocks can sometimes lead to selling pressure but also show confidence in the project’s future.

What it means:
In the short term, this increase in available tokens could put downward pressure on the price because of more supply. However, if the Aptos ecosystem continues to grow and absorb this liquidity, the long-term impact could be neutral. After the unlock, APT’s price stayed steady at $4.47, indicating limited immediate effect. (BlockBeats)

2. NEAR Partnership (September 4, 2025)

What happened:
Aptos joined NEAR’s Intents ecosystem, allowing users to swap APT tokens instantly across more than 20 different blockchains without needing bridges. Additionally, Shelby’s decentralized hot storage protocol integrated with NEAR’s AI technology, improving cross-chain compatibility.

What it means:
This is a positive development for Aptos, expanding its usefulness beyond its own blockchain. It could attract developers interested in building decentralized finance (DeFi) tools that work across multiple blockchains. However, it’s important to watch adoption numbers, like how much cross-chain activity this partnership generates. (@renksieth)

3. Japan Stablecoin Summit Sponsorship (September 7, 2025)

What happened:
Aptos became the Gold Sponsor of Japan’s 2025 Stablecoin Summit, reinforcing its commitment to building compliant stablecoin infrastructure. This follows recent integration with Circle’s USDC stablecoin and $51 million in stablecoin inflows to Aptos last week.

What it means:
This is a neutral-to-positive sign. Clearer regulations in Japan could help Aptos become a key platform for institutional stablecoin projects. Still, it faces strong competition from established blockchains like Ethereum and Solana. (@Web3Niels)

Conclusion

Aptos is carefully balancing token supply changes with strategic partnerships and regulatory efforts. While short-term price movements depend on how the market handles the unlocked tokens, Aptos’ focus on interoperability and stablecoins could support long-term growth. Will APT’s technical consolidation since March 2025 lead to a breakout, or will broader market challenges slow its progress?

What is expected in the development of APT?

Aptos is making important progress with these key updates:

1. X-Chain Accounts (Coming Weeks) – Lets users trade on Aptos decentralized exchanges (DEXs) using wallets from other blockchains.
2. Framework-Level CLOB (Q4 2025) – A high-speed, decentralized order book for advanced trading in decentralized finance (DeFi).
3. Raptr Consensus Upgrade (2025) – A faster and more secure system to confirm transactions quickly, even during network problems.

Deep Dive

1. X-Chain Accounts (Coming Weeks)

What it is:
X-Chain Accounts will allow people to trade on Aptos DEXs using wallets they already have from other blockchains, like Phantom on Solana. This works through Circle’s CCTP bridge and a technology called account abstraction. The benefit is that users won’t need to create new wallets or use complicated bridges, making it easier to move assets and trade across different blockchains.

Why it matters:
This is good news for Aptos because it makes it simpler for users from other blockchain communities to start trading on Aptos. This could increase trading activity and liquidity (the ease of buying and selling). However, success depends on how well this feature works with popular wallets and exchanges.

2. Framework-Level CLOB (Q4 2025)

What it is:
Aptos is building a Central Limit Order Book (CLOB) directly into its protocol. A CLOB is a system that matches buy and sell orders in real-time, like traditional stock exchanges, but decentralized. This will allow decentralized exchanges on Aptos to offer fast, fair, and professional-level trading services.

Why it matters:
This upgrade could attract more serious traders and support complex financial products like options and real-world assets (RWAs). It’s a positive step for Aptos and its native token, APT. However, there is competition from other platforms offering similar order books, and the project still needs approval from the Aptos Improvement Proposal (AIP) process, which could cause delays.

3. Raptr Consensus Upgrade (2025)

What it is:
Raptr is a new system Aptos plans to use to confirm transactions faster and more reliably. It combines two technologies: one that processes many transactions at once (DAG-based throughput) and another that reduces delays (leader-based latency optimization). This system aims to finalize transactions in less than a second, even if the network faces attacks or problems.

Why it matters:
This upgrade could make Aptos more attractive for applications that need quick and reliable transaction confirmations, like real-time trading. The impact depends on how well the upgrade is implemented and whether validators (network participants who confirm transactions) adopt it.

Conclusion

Aptos is focusing on making its platform easier to access across different blockchains, improving its DeFi trading infrastructure, and strengthening its transaction confirmation system. These efforts aim to position Aptos as a leading “global trading engine.” While features like X-Chain Accounts and the Raptr upgrade could boost user adoption, challenges remain, including competition from other blockchains like Solana and Sui, and the need to keep developers engaged with the Move programming language ecosystem. How Aptos balances innovation with community support will be key to its future success.

What updates are there in the APT code base?

Aptos (APT) is actively improving its platform with important security updates and better developer tools.

1. Improved Auth Key Rotation (Not Yet Released) – Stronger security for account key changes, with verified and unverified options.
2. Indexer API Phased Out (By July 31, 2025) – Developers need to switch to new event query methods using GraphQL.
3. Testnet Node Upgrade (September 4, 2025) – Better handling of complex data and new fees for certain operations.

Deep Dive

1. Improved Auth Key Rotation (Not Yet Released)

What’s new?
Aptos is making account security tighter by requiring verification for most key changes. The existing rotateAuthKey function will only allow verified key updates for standard account types. A new function, rotateAuthKeyUnverified, lets developers rotate keys for custom account setups but flags these as "unverified," meaning they need special handling in queries.

Why it matters:
This update helps prevent unauthorized access while still supporting advanced account types. Developers should review their current key rotation code to ensure compatibility with these changes.
(Source)

2. Indexer API Phased Out (By July 31, 2025)

What’s new?
The old Indexer API for event queries will no longer be supported. Instead, developers must use GraphQL queries that fit with Aptos’ updated data indexing system. This means filtering events by transaction versions and types rather than using older API calls.

Why it matters:
While this requires developers to update their code, the new system is designed to handle more data efficiently, which is good for apps that process lots of events, like decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Projects relying heavily on event data should prioritize this migration.
(Source)

3. Testnet Node Upgrade (September 4, 2025)

What’s new?
The testnet now includes checks to prevent errors when processing complex data structures and introduces gas fees for certain closure operations (PackClosure and PackClosureGeneric). The fees depend on the size of the closure.

Why it matters:
This change may increase costs for apps that use complex smart contracts, but it improves overall network stability. Developers should review their smart contracts, especially loops and recursive functions, to optimize gas usage.
(Source)

Conclusion

Aptos is focusing on stronger security and better developer tools, making the platform more reliable and enterprise-ready. However, developers need to act quickly to adapt to these changes. One open question is how the reduced flexibility of the indexer will affect real-time analytics tools in the Aptos ecosystem.