Forgotten in the altcoin season, this token that once made it to the top 10 is about to x10?

In the ongoing altcoin frenzy, the name Polkadot (DOT) seems to have faded from major headlines. However, behind this silence are positive signals quietly accumulating – from the amount of tokens locked in staking to the strong expansion of the ecosystem. With more than 50% of the supply locked, DOT is expected to become one of the standout names in the upcoming bullish cycle.

Altcoin surges, but DOT left behind?

According to data from Google Trends, interest in the keyword "altcoin" has peaked, indicating that a FOMO wave is sweeping the market. However, DOT – one of the leading altcoins that made a strong impression in 2021 – is currently trading around $4.25, representing a decrease of up to 92% from its all-time high.

Search volume for altcoin | Source: Google TrendsThis has raised significant questions among investors about the recovery potential of Polkadot, especially when the tokenomics of DOT still have many unresolved issues. A user on platform X pointed out that the high inflation rate combined with attractive internal staking rewards is continuously diluting the supply of DOT.

Meanwhile, the actual demand outside of staking activities is still quite weak, leading to prolonged selling pressure, especially as the number of new tokens continues to be released steadily into the market. This is one of the major barriers preventing the price of DOT from making a strong bullish move without significant improvements in application and real cash flow.

50% of supply locked: Selling pressure is decreasing

Ignoring the negative discussions surrounding tokenomics and recent price performance, many technical analyses are indicating that DOT is on the verge of a significant recovery opportunity. On-chain data shows that over 50% of the total DOT supply has been locked in staking, thereby significantly reducing selling pressure in the market – a crucial factor paving the way for bullish momentum as demand gradually returns.

At the same time, the Polkadot ecosystem continues to expand quietly but steadily, with a series of new projects being built on the parachain platform and integrating cross-chain connectivity – a strategic differentiator that has defined the Polkadot brand. It is the combination of a solid technical foundation and a targeted ecosystem development that is helping DOT strengthen its position and prepare for a strong recovery cycle ahead.

Technical outlook: The short-term target is 5.3 USD

In terms of technical analysis, DOT has surpassed the resistance level of 4.3 USD and formed a higher low, confirming the potential to continue the short-term bullish trend. Analyst LennaertSnyder believes that the next price target for DOT is 5.3 USD, if it maintains its current upward momentum.

Meanwhile, analyst Joao Wedson believes that the market has accumulated enough DOT, and is just waiting for a positive catalyst to trigger a new bullish wave – possibly strong enough to "wipe out" short positions. Joao suggests that this catalyst could come from news about a DOT ETF fund, which is expected to bring new institutional capital into the Polkadot ecosystem.

"DOT has a lot of potential to become the next altcoin to trigger a bear market liquidation. Market makers have probably accumulated enough, and I believe some news will soon emerge to explain this impact. But the cause has been identified!" Joao commented.

FOMO Scenario: DOT reaches 10 USD in September 2025?

Many experts, including CryptonautX, have presented an optimistic scenario: if the current bullish trend is maintained and the fundamental factors continue to improve, DOT could very well reach the milestone of 10 USD by September 2025.

This forecast is not just a vague expectation but is built on a series of specific conditions that could become reality in the context of a strongly recovering market. First of all, it is the increasing demand for actual usage of DOT in the parachain ecosystem and cross-chain applications. Additionally, new capital flows from both individual and institutional investors are expected to continue pouring in as market confidence strengthens. Finally – and possibly the "push" factor – are major announcements from the Polkadot development team, including strategic partnerships, new products, or even information surrounding the DOT ETF, which could trigger a widespread FOMO wave and propel DOT's price into a trajectory of exponential growth.

In the long term, Polkadot needs to prove that the value of DOT comes not only from staking activities but also from real-world application capabilities and the sustainable appeal of the ecosystem. To achieve this, the project must demonstrate that the parachain model and cross-chain connection mechanism can genuinely attract real users, active developers, and a stable liquidity flow – vital factors for any blockchain platform.

In the context of increasing competition between Layer-0 and Layer-1 blockchains, Polkadot cannot solely rely on its past reputation. However, if the project capitalizes on the right moment to leverage its unique technical advantages and accelerate ecosystem expansion, DOT has the potential to reposition itself as an unexpected "dark horse," making breakthroughs in the growth cycle of 2025.

Itadori