Definition ∞ Market supply imbalance describes a condition in cryptocurrency markets where the available quantity of an asset for sale does not match the demand from buyers. This discrepancy can result from a surplus of sellers relative to buyers, leading to price declines, or a scarcity of sellers relative to buyers, causing price increases. It reflects a disequilibrium between supply and demand forces. Such an imbalance directly impacts asset valuation.
Context ∞ Market supply imbalance is a fundamental economic principle frequently cited in cryptocurrency news to explain price volatility and market trends. Current analyses often examine on-chain metrics, such as exchange reserves and long-term holder behavior, to identify impending imbalances. A critical future development involves how increased institutional participation and the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms might introduce new complexities and dynamics to supply-demand relationships, affecting market stability and price discovery.
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