$LAYER just dropped over 40%—right after hitting its all-time high. With a major unlock of 46 million tokens just days away, many are asking: was this a natural correction, or something more calculated?

While no one can definitively confirm manipulation, the timing raises eyebrows. The sharp plunge comes just five days before a sizable unlock, and with only 210 million tokens in circulation, releasing 46 million more is no small event. Add in the fact that #layer had already rallied over 400% since February, and it’s clear that profit-taking—possibly by early whales—was inevitable. But speculation grows stronger with claims of airdrop abuse, insider wallets dumping tokens, and strategic shorting via perpetual futures during low-liquidity hours.

On-chain data supports some of these concerns: millions of tokens were moved to exchanges weeks ago, and the recent price breakdown happened alongside heavy volume. Still, the team’s tokens are supposedly under vesting, and there’s no direct proof yet that insider wallets caused the crash. The silence from Solayer Labs on airdrop distribution only adds fuel to the fire.

In the end, it might be a mix of both—natural correction amplified by hidden exits. Until post-unlock behavior clears the fog, caution is key. Stay sharp.