NFTGo Research

Posted on Jul 28, 2023Read on Mirror.xyz

Strategies For the NFT Bear Market

The NFT market operates within its own distinct economic cycle. The recent significant drop in the floor price of NFTs has left many investors and enthusiasts perplexed, especially for many blue chip NFTs. However, the bear market also presents an opportune time for investors to accumulate assets at lower prices and trigger a new hot wave in the market. For instance, projects like Opepen Threadition have injected new energy into the market with their "for the culture" vibe, resulting in a remarkable 72.7% increase in the floor price of Opepen Edition over the past 7 days.

Therefore, it is crucial to identify the optimal timing to buy the dip and maximize potential returns. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this dramatic decline and explore the strategies employed by influential investors, commonly known as "whales." Additionally, we will provide insights into the outlook for the NFT market in the third quarter of the year.

How to Discover the Opportunities Before Price Drop Down?

Whales are selling off 

Whale activity in the NFT market often correlates closely with price changes, as evidenced by the trend seen in Bored Ape Yacht Club. Based on the relationship between whale sales and floor price fluctuations in the last year, each instance of relatively sharp price fluctuation aligns with significant sales by whales. This suggests that the actions of these major players may, in fact, precipitate changes in the market, underscoring their role in influencing price volatility.

Floor price & Whale Sales of Bored Ape Yacht Club, Data Source: NFTGo.io

An analytical view of the data from BAYC and Azuki further substantiates this observation. Both correlation coefficient between whale sales and floor price changes are over 0.7, which reveals a strong positive relationship, indicating that as whale sales increase, the floor price tends to decrease. This correlation, while not perfect, is substantial enough to merit attention.

Crucially, this correlation also appears to be slightly predictive, with whale sell-offs typically preceding shifts in floor prices. This time lag could be explained by the market's response time in adjusting to the increased volume of NFTs released by the whale's sale. Thus, by tracking whale activities, investors may be able to anticipate upcoming market fluctuations.

Series of Top Sellers/Buyers, Data Source: NFTGo.io

Imbalance between the sellers and buyers 

Another noteworthy finding is the presence of a market imbalance, characterized by an evident surplus of sellers compared to buyers. Specifically, when analyzing the recent 10,000 transactions related to the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), it becomes apparent that the number of unique addresses engaged in selling activities (401) is nearly twice the number of addresses involved in purchasing (238). This discrepancy in participation potentially amplifies the downward movement in prices, signaling a bearish sentiment and an increased focus on seeking liquidity.

Unique Address of Recent 10,000 BAYC Transactions, Data Source: NFTGo.io

Asset Accumulation by Giant Holders

The sudden surge of short-term buyers (holding period less than 24 hours) in the BAYC market on June 2 aligns with a market scenario in which investors capitalized on the price reaching its lowest point. Essentially, these quick-acting individuals took advantage of the declining floor price, acquiring BAYC NFTs at the most favorable value, primarily from holders who had held the assets for 1-7 days. This observation suggests a sense of urgency and opportunism among these buyers, aiming to secure profits given the attractive price levels. Subsequently, the swift return to average short-term holder numbers in the subsequent days indicates that these investors promptly sold off their newly acquired BAYCs, reinforcing their speculative intent.

Holding Period Trends&Distribution, Data Source: NFTGo.io

Unusual Increased Price Volatility

High liquidity, often signifying a vibrant market, can in some instances hint at upcoming price drops. For example, Bored Ape Yacht Club saw unusually high liquidity from Feb 22, correlating with a floor price decrease starting point for this year. This surge in liquidity, potentially from increased seller activity, can put downward pressure on prices if unmatched by buyer interest. More striking was the high liquidity volatility from June 5 to July 3, indicating market uncertainty. With an imbalance of sellers over buyers, this uncertainty likely contributed to the lowest floor price on July 2. Therefore, monitoring liquidity changes and volatility can offer valuable insights and act as a signal for potential price declines in the NFT market.

Floor Price & Liquidity, Data Source: NFTGo.io

Most Profitable NFT Traders and How They Achieved It 

Profiles of profit-making NFT users

Top PnL traders. Source: NFTGo.io

It's notable to see that individuals need to earn more than 7k ETH to enter the top ten list of profitable makers, which includes famous Twitter influencers like @rollbitcom. Many of them on the list are blue-chip holders and have the ability to discover opportunities before anyone else. As a result, we have summarized their strategies and list some whales you should trace below. 

NFT Traders to Keep an Eye On

To substantiate the aforementioned strategies, we shall undertake an empirical examination of a specific trading address within the NFT market. By scrutinizing the transaction activities of this particular entity, we aim to provide a concrete understanding of the practical application of these strategies, thereby demystifying the complexities of successful NFT investment.

  • Address: 0xd387a6e4e84a6c86bd90c158c6028a58cc8ac459 (pranksy.eth)

This address actively uses the strategy Bulk-mint and keeps its portfolio diversified. Over the past three months, Pranksy.eth minted around 1.1K NFTs, including 121 from Ether Avatar and many from lesser-known projects, demonstrating a deft execution of the bulk-mint strategy. Furthermore, Pranksy.eth's portfolio is impressively diverse with 331 collections, 90% from lesser-known NFTs, embodying strategic selection and diversification. This strategy reduces exposure to single-project volatility and broadens the possibility of hitting high-value assets. Through these strategies, Pranksy.eth creates a multi-avenue profit model while maintaining a balanced portfolio.

Explore Multiple Platforms: Limiting oneself to popular platforms like OpenSea can mean missing out on unique opportunities found on other platforms such as Blur, X2Y2, and LooksRare. Exploring these can widen an investor's selection and offer unique investment opportunities.

Bulk-mint: This strategy primarily involves participating in the initial minting process of new NFT projects in large quantities. Investors often secure their position on whitelist by completing prerequisite tasks, thereby earning the privilege to mint ahead of others. Some opt for direct bulk minting through contracts, a method that potentially allows for faster and larger-volume minting. Additionally, freemints are another area of interest for these investors, often leading to significant profits. The Bulk-mint strategy, therefore, is multifaceted and requires a high level of involvement and knowledge about the nuances of NFT project launches.

  • Address: 0x3fb65feeab83bf60b0d1ffbc4217d2d97a35c8d4 (chungster.eth)

This address actively uses Strategic Selection and Exploring Multiple Platforms. This trader is attuned to the NFT market pulse, with transactions echoing trending themes such as Opepen, Ether Avatar, and Azuki Elementals. Moreover, the trader displays remarkable platform versatility, not confining themselves to a single marketplace. They adapt to various communities' preferences, with trading activities spread across Blur, OpenSea, and even more nuanced approaches like using OpenSea Pro via Blur or LooksRare Aggregator via OpenSea. This platform exploration amplifies opportunities, catering to specific community dynamics, and broadens the scope of potential profitable trades. Such strategic fluidity is an asset in the ever-evolving NFT landscape.

Strategic Selection and Diversification: This involves the purchase of NFTs based on rarity within blue-chip projects and diversifying investments across emerging projects. Rarer NFTs often retain their value better, making them a worthwhile investment. Setting alerts for specific rare traits allows investors to buy when prices drop and then either hold for potential long-term gains or resell at a fair, yet profitable price. Diversification, particularly for emerging blue-chip projects, is another critical aspect of this strategy. Buying a mix of NFTs from these projects spreads risk and increases the chances of acquiring high-value assets. For instance, an investor saw significant returns from acquiring a diverse selection of CryptoPunks and Meebits.

This address proficiently employs a mix of strategies: Strategic Selection, Batch Buying, Bottom-Fishing, and Diversification. He skillfully bought similar NFTs in bulk, like 8 DeGods, 6 Azukis, and 8 MAYCs at the same time respectively. In Bottom-Fishing, this trader showcases adroitness, purchasing Fatzuki NFTs at a low price of 0.2 ETH and swiftly selling them at 0.3 ETH. This rapid buy-sell strategy indicates an adept reading of market dynamics and a sharp eye for profitable opportunities. This address's portfolio only contain 4 collections, but the trader's activity spans over 10 collections, which also incorporates lesser-known collections. This strategic diversity illustrates a willingness to explore untapped potentials and underscores a thorough understanding of market fluctuations and opportunities.

Strategic Batch and Decline-Rate Buying: Savvy investors often purchase NFTs in bulk, aligning their buying strategy with price declines. They segment their purchases into tiers based on price range, buying at each significant price drop to maximize potential returns. Additionally, some investors focus on the rate of price decline, buying more aggressively as prices fall steeply. By setting alerts for specific collections, these investors can react immediately when prices hit their target lows. For example, a whale investor in Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) demonstrated this strategy by buying into the collection at each 10% price dip and diversifying purchases across different rarity categories.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, it's clear that influential whales and profit-makers are significantly shaping the landscape of the NFT universe. Their on-chain activities not only mirror market trends but also stimulate the growth of NFT projects with their considerable capital and reputational influence. As a result, assessing the number of whale holders has emerged as a crucial metric in evaluating the potential of NFT initiatives. This analysis of effective strategies and notable players highlights the importance of astute market knowledge and strategic approach in succeeding in the vibrant world of NFT trading. Through GoAlert, individuals can effectively navigate this complex market, leveraging the ripple effects created by these whales to identify and seize opportunities in 2023 and beyond.

Disclaimer: The above information is for informational purposes only. Investing in digital assets such as NFTs and cryptocurrency brings with it a high degree of risk. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions. NFTGo does not provide financial advice and is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of investing in digital assets.

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