Plasma Mainnet Debuts XPL; Airdrop Sparks 30× Surge to $1.54
Plasma launched its Layer-1 stablecoin blockchain on September 25, distributing a 9,304-token XPL airdrop that saw the native token surge from its $0.05 ICO price to a peak of $1.54, boosting FDV to about $120 billion and market cap to nearly $1.6 billion. Futures volume spiked over 1,500%. In pre-sales, Plasma raised $1.6 billion, rewarding early whales with returns up to 30×.
Plasma’s EVM-compatible chain uses PlasmaBFT consensus for zero-fee USDT transfers and has secured over 100 DeFi partners, including Aave and Chainlink. Its official vaults hold $1.5 billion USDT at 31.64% APY, with phased funding to stabilize liquidity and incentivize staking.
Advisors such as Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and Peter Thiel add credibility. Looking ahead, Plasma targets high-demand markets in Southeast Asia, Turkey and South America, plans a Plasma One prepaid card with up to 4% cashback and 10% stablecoin yield, and faces a 25% token unlock in mid-2026. Traders should watch unlock schedules, regulatory shifts and real-world adoption to gauge XPL’s market resilience.
Bullish
Plasma’s XPL airdrop and record launch rally have driven trading volume and market capitalization to new highs, creating significant bullish momentum. The $1.6 billion pre-sale and zero-fee stablecoin transfers underscore strong liquidity and adoption prospects. Partnerships with top DeFi protocols and high APY vaults further incentivize trader interest and staking. However, the mid-2026 token unlock introduces potential selling pressure that could weigh on long-term prices. Overall, the immediate market reaction is bullish, though traders should monitor unlock schedules, regulatory developments and real-world adoption to manage risk.