#Reasons behind OM breakdown
The **OM token (MANTRA)** experienced a catastrophic breakdown on **April 13–14, 2025**, losing **90–98% of its value** within hours. Here’s a synthesis of the key reasons behind the crash, based on multiple reports:
1. Alleged Team Dump and Liquidity Crisis**
- **Massive Token Dumping**: Reports suggest the team or insiders sold ~90% of circulating supply, triggering a liquidity crisis. On-chain data showed large OM transfers to exchanges like Binance and OKX before the crash .
- **Centralized Exchange Liquidations**: The team blamed "reckless liquidations" by a large investor on a CEX, but skeptics pointed to coordinated OTC (over-the-counter) dumps .
### **2. Governance and Tokenomics Red Flags**
- **Concentrated Supply**: The team controlled a significant portion of tokens, enabling potential manipulation. Critics highlighted inflated valuations ($9.5B FDV vs. $13M TVL) .
- **Lack of Transparency**: The official Telegram group was shut down during the crash, fueling rug pull suspicions .
### **3. Market Panic and Cascading Effects**
- **Forced Liquidations**: A domino effect of margin calls and stop-loss triggers exacerbated the sell-off, similar to Terra-LUNA’s collapse .
- **Social Media Frenzy**: Accusations of "one of the biggest scams in crypto" trended, with comparisons to FTX and LUNA .
### **4. Legal and Regulatory Troubles**
- **Hong Kong Court Case**: A lawsuit alleged misappropriation of DAO funds, with six members ordered to disclose financial records .
- **Dubai License Under Scrutiny**: Despite securing a VARA license in February 2025, the crash raised questions about compliance .
### **5. Team’s Response: Denial and Damage Control**
- **Co-Founder’s Claims**: John Patrick Mullin denied team involvement, sharing a wallet address to "prove" tokens weren’t moved .
- **Community Distrust**: Many dismissed the explanation, citing prior warnings about tokenomics and governance flaws .