Aptos has spent months drifting lower with little attention from the broader crypto market. The APT price now sits roughly 95% below its November 2024 peak, and the persistent decline has created doubts about whether the network can regain momentum.
Fresh developments from the Aptos team now point to deeper structural changes that could influence how supply, demand, and long-term valuation evolve.
A detailed tokenomics update shared by Aptos outlines a transition toward performance-driven supply mechanics. The proposal replaces early subsidy-style emissions with a structure tied directly to real network activity.
Analyst OCT Gems interprets this move as a response to sustained pressure around unlock schedules, sell risk, and questions about long-term alignment with holders.
— Aptos (@Aptos) February 18, 2026
What you'll learn 👉
Aptos Supply Reforms Aim To Reduce Structural Sell Pressure
Current circulating supply stands near 1.196 billion APT, and earlier unlock cycles have weighed on sentiment. The proposed framework introduces several constraints designed to tighten issuance over time.
Planned reduction in staking rewards from about 5.19% toward 2.6% would slow new token creation, and a protocol-level cap of 2.1 billion APT would place a ceiling on lifetime supply.
Aptos also intends to lock 210 million APT in permanent staking. Removal of such tokens from potential distribution functions similarly to a long-term burn mechanism.
OCT Gems views these steps as meaningful because they directly target the perception that excess supply has limited APT price recovery potential.
Increased Burns And Network Utilization Could Shift APT Economics
Transaction fees on the Aptos network already burn APT, yet extremely low costs have limited the total amount removed from circulation. Governance discussion now includes a possible tenfold gas fee adjustment.
Even after such a change, transaction expenses would remain extremely low in dollar terms, preserving usability for payments and stablecoin transfers.
Launch of the fully onchain Decibel exchange introduces another variable tied to throughput. High frequency execution across many trading pairs would increase fee consumption and expand token burn volume.
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Estimates tied to scaling activity suggest tens of millions of APT could be removed annually if utilization grows as projected. This connection between usage and supply reduction marks a turning point in how Aptos links real demand with token economics.
Analyst Perspective Highlights Opportunity And Remaining Risk
OCT Gems describes the tokenomics revision as a constructive step that may ease long-standing concerns. Completion of early investor unlocks later in 2026 removes a major overhang that markets have monitored closely.
Lower emissions, permanent staking commitments, and burn expansion together create conditions where circulating supply pressure declines materially after 2027.
The same analysis also stresses that structural reform alone cannot guarantee recovery in APT price. Sustainable value still depends on whether Aptos converts infrastructure into real users, measurable fees, and consistent onchain demand. Without that adoption layer, even deflationary mechanics would struggle to support long-term appreciation.
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The broader crypto cycle often rewards networks that pair technical capability with sustained activity. Aptos already demonstrates fast block times, strong uptime, and growing developer participation. Future valuation now hinges on whether those strengths translate into durable economic throughput across trading, payments, and decentralized finance.
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