The native cryptocurrency of the modular blockchain Celestia (TIA) is showing renewed momentum as it eyes a return to double-digit pricing. After a prolonged period of downward pressure caused by continuous token unlocks and market-wide volatility, TIA is now experiencing a 5% rebound, aligning with gains seen in other major altcoins like FET and Uniswap (UNI). While the path to $10 remains steep, upcoming network upgrades and reduced inflation could be the catalysts needed to reignite investor confidence.
The Weight of Token Unlocks on Celestia (TIA)
One of the most significant challenges facing Celestia has been its structured token vesting schedule. Since launch, daily unlocks have introduced an average of $2.59 million worth of TIA into circulation, contributing to persistent selling pressure. This consistent supply influx led to a 71.6% decline in TIA’s price over the past year.
Currently, 649.5 million TIA tokens are in circulation out of a total supply of 1.12 billion. However, 31.1% of the total supply remains locked, with full release scheduled by 2027. Despite this, market dynamics are beginning to shift. Since April 22, 2025, there has been noticeable interest from crypto whales—large holders whose movements often signal institutional or strategic accumulation. This activity has kept the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator in positive territory, suggesting net buying pressure.
Yet, price action remains constrained. TIA continues to trade below the critical $2.635 level, which coincides with its 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA)—a key benchmark for long-term trend strength. A decisive breakout above this level could open the door to stronger bullish momentum.
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Lotus Upgrade: A Turning Point for Celestia?
The upcoming Lotus upgrade—version 4 of Celestia’s mainnet based on CIP-32—is poised to be a pivotal moment for the network. As the fourth major installment in Celestia’s evolution, Lotus introduces foundational improvements aimed at enhancing fairness, scalability, and economic sustainability.
Key features include:
- 33% reduction in inflation: By adjusting token emission rates, Lotus directly addresses one of the primary headwinds affecting TIA’s price performance.
- Fairer staking model: The upgrade promotes decentralized participation by optimizing reward distribution and validator incentives.
- CIP-30 integration: This proposal allows users to choose when they withdraw staking rewards, giving them greater control over tax liabilities and investment timing.
- Hyperlane interoperability: Enhanced cross-chain communication strengthens Celestia’s role as a modular data availability layer across multiple ecosystems.
These technical advancements are more than just protocol tweaks—they represent a strategic shift toward long-term sustainability. With reduced sell pressure from inflation and improved user experience, Celestia is better positioned to attract developers, validators, and investors alike.
Market Sentiment and Recovery Potential
Despite its current valuation of $1.68 billion—down from a peak of nearly $4 billion—Celestia retains strong fundamentals within the modular blockchain space. Its role as a dedicated data availability layer makes it a critical piece of infrastructure for rollups and app-specific chains, particularly in the Ethereum ecosystem.
Although TIA has dropped 87.6% from its all-time high of $20.85 reached on February 10, 2024, and has fallen out of the global top 50 by market cap, the underlying technology continues to gain traction. Developer activity, ecosystem partnerships, and protocol usage metrics remain robust—signs that the network is building rather than stagnating.
For investors, the question isn’t just about price recovery, but whether the fundamentals support a sustainable climb toward higher valuations. With the Lotus upgrade on the horizon and whale accumulation patterns emerging, sentiment may be nearing a turning point.
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Core Keywords Driving Visibility
To align with search intent and improve discoverability, the following keywords have been naturally integrated throughout this analysis:
- Celestia (TIA)
- TIA price prediction
- modular blockchain
- Lotus upgrade
- TIA token unlock
- Celestia staking
- blockchain liquidity injection
- crypto whale activity
These terms reflect both technical developments and market-driven queries commonly searched by crypto investors and enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving the recent TIA price rebound?
The 5% rally in TIA’s price is attributed to broader altcoin momentum, increased whale activity since April 2025, and anticipation surrounding the Lotus mainnet upgrade, which promises reduced inflation and improved staking mechanics.
How will the Lotus upgrade affect TIA inflation?
The Lotus upgrade is expected to cut annual inflation by 33%, significantly reducing the daily token unlock pressure that has weighed on the price. This deflationary shift could enhance scarcity and support long-term value appreciation.
When will all TIA tokens be fully unlocked?
The full TIA token unlock schedule extends through 2027. While 649.5 million tokens are already in circulation, approximately 31.1% of the total supply remains locked and will be gradually released over the next few years.
Is Celestia still considered a top modular blockchain?
Yes. Despite its market cap decline, Celestia remains a leader in modular blockchain architecture. Its specialized data availability layer is used by numerous Layer 2 solutions and appchains, giving it a strategic advantage over monolithic alternatives.
Can TIA reach $10 in the future?
Reaching $10 would require a more than 4x increase from current levels and depend on sustained ecosystem growth, successful upgrade execution, reduced sell pressure, and broader bull market conditions. While ambitious, it's not impossible if adoption accelerates post-Lotus.
What role do crypto whales play in TIA’s price movement?
Whale accumulation often signals confidence in an asset’s long-term potential. Since April 22, 2025, consistent buying by large wallets has supported positive money flow metrics like CMF, indicating underlying demand even during sideways price action.
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Final Outlook: From Recovery to Growth
Celestia stands at a crossroads. Past performance reflects the harsh reality of tokenomics-driven sell-offs and market corrections. But forward-looking indicators—technical upgrades, whale accumulation, and improving network fundamentals—suggest that the worst may be behind it.
The Lotus upgrade isn’t just another software release; it’s a strategic reset designed to stabilize supply dynamics and empower users. If executed smoothly and accompanied by growing ecosystem adoption, Celestia could reestablish itself as a top-tier infrastructure project in the modular blockchain landscape.
While reaching $10 remains a bold target, the combination of reduced inflation, enhanced staking flexibility, and strong developer momentum creates a foundation for sustained growth. For forward-thinking investors, now may be the time to reassess Celestia’s potential—not just as a speculative asset, but as a core component of next-generation blockchain infrastructure.