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Dumping (Crypto)

Trading and SpeculationUpdated 13 Nov 2026

Dumping, as the word is used in crypto markets, is covered in the entry Dump, which explains the term, why dumps happen and how they affect prices. This page gives a short definition and explains the different forms of the word.

Dumping is the rapid sale of a large quantity of a cryptocurrency or token, enough to push its price down sharply. It may be done by a whale taking profits, by early investors or team members whose tokens have just unlocked, or by many holders selling in panic at once. In thin markets, a single dump can overwhelm buy orders and trigger stop-loss orders and liquidations, deepening the fall. Dumping is the second half of a pump-and-dump scheme, in which promoters inflate a price and then sell to the buyers they attracted. Some projects adopt an anti-dumping policy, such as vesting schedules or sale limits, to reduce the risk.

"Dump" is the noun or verb and "dumping" the ongoing activity; both refer to the same thing. The crypto meaning should not be confused with dumping in international trade, which means exporting goods below their fair price.

Last updated 13 Nov 2026