Fully diluted valuation
Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV): A Beginner's Guide
Welcome to the world of cryptocurrency! When you're looking at potential investments, you'll encounter many different metrics. One of the most important – and often misunderstood – is the *Fully Diluted Valuation* (FDV). This guide will break down FDV in a simple, practical way so you can make informed decisions.
What is Fully Diluted Valuation?
Imagine you're buying a slice of a pizza. The current *market capitalization* (Market Cap) tells you the price of the slices currently available. But what if the pizza maker is planning to bake more slices later? The FDV tells you the price of *all* the slices, even the ones not baked yet!
In cryptocurrency terms, the FDV represents the theoretical price of a cryptocurrency if *all* of its tokens were currently in circulation. This includes tokens that are currently circulating (the Market Cap) plus tokens that are locked up, staked, or haven't been released yet. It’s a way to understand the potential future value if the project fully realizes its token emission schedule.
Why is FDV Important?
FDV helps you assess whether a cryptocurrency might be overvalued or undervalued. A high FDV compared to a project’s current utility and adoption might suggest it is overvalued. Conversely, a low FDV could indicate potential for growth, *but* it also needs to be considered alongside other factors like the project's fundamentals and market trends.
Think of it like this: If a coin has a low Market Cap but a *very* high FDV, it means a large number of tokens will be released into the market over time. This increased supply could potentially drive down the price. Understanding FDV helps you anticipate these potential effects.
How is FDV Calculated?
The formula for FDV is straightforward:
FDV = Current Circulating Supply + Total Token Supply
Let’s break that down:
- **Current Circulating Supply:** The number of tokens currently available for trading. You can easily find this on websites like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko.
- **Total Token Supply:** The *maximum* number of tokens that will *ever* exist. This is usually defined in the project's whitepaper.
- Example:**
Let's say a cryptocurrency, "ExampleCoin" (EXC), has:
- Current Circulating Supply: 10 million EXC
- Total Token Supply: 100 million EXC
- Current Price: $1.00
Then:
FDV = 10 million + 100 million = 110 million EXC FDV in USD = 110 million * $1.00 = $110 million
FDV vs. Market Capitalization: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to confuse FDV with Market Capitalization. Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Market Capitalization | Fully Diluted Valuation |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation | Current Price x Circulating Supply | Current Price x Total Supply |
| Tokens Included | Only circulating tokens | All tokens (circulating + unreleased) |
| What it Shows | Current value of the project | Potential future value if all tokens are released |
| Usefulness | Gauging current market sentiment | Assessing long-term potential and potential supply impact |
Understanding both is crucial for technical analysis and making informed trading decisions. See also trading strategies.
Practical Steps for Using FDV
1. **Find the Total Token Supply:** Look for this information in the project’s whitepaper, on their website, or on cryptocurrency data aggregators like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko. 2. **Find the Current Circulating Supply:** The same sources as above will provide this information. 3. **Calculate the FDV:** Use the formula: FDV = Current Price x Total Token Supply. 4. **Compare FDV to Other Metrics:** Don’t look at FDV in isolation. Compare it to the project’s Market Cap, trading volume, and other fundamental metrics like active users and development activity. 5. **Consider the Token Release Schedule:** When will the remaining tokens be released? A slow release schedule is generally less concerning than a rapid one.
FDV and Different Tokenomics
Different projects use different tokenomics (the economic model of the token). This impacts how you interpret FDV.
- **Inflationary Tokens:** Some tokens have an inflationary supply, meaning new tokens are created over time. This can increase the FDV even if the price stays constant.
- **Deflationary Tokens:** Other tokens have a deflationary supply, meaning tokens are burned (permanently removed from circulation) over time. This can decrease the FDV.
- **Vesting Schedules:** Many projects have vesting schedules for team tokens or investor tokens, meaning these tokens are released over a period of time. Understanding the vesting schedule is crucial for interpreting FDV.
Example Comparison: Two Hypothetical Projects
Let's compare two hypothetical projects, Project A and Project B:
| Project | Market Cap | Total Supply | Current Price | FDV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project A | $50 million | 100 million tokens | $0.50 | $50 million | Low FDV, potentially undervalued. Good if the project delivers. |
| Project B | $50 million | 500 million tokens | $0.10 | $50 million | Higher FDV relative to Market Cap. Significant dilution possible as tokens are released. |
In this example, despite having the same Market Cap, Project B has a much higher total supply and FDV. This suggests that Project B's price could face more downward pressure as more tokens enter circulation.
Resources for Further Learning
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
- Blockchain Technology
- Smart Contracts
- Cryptocurrency Wallets
- Trading Bots
- Risk Management
- Candlestick Patterns
- Moving Averages
- Relative Strength Index (RSI)
- Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP)
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Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves substantial risk, and you could lose money. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing in any cryptocurrency.
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