Realized Cap
Realized Cap is a market valuation metric that calculates the total value of all coins in circulation based on the price at which they last moved on the blockchain. Unlike market capitalization, which uses the current spot price for all coins, Realized Cap assigns a unique cost basis to each unit, effectively reflecting the aggregate price paid by holders.
This provides a more accurate view of the actual capital invested in an asset, filtering out lost coins or those held in cold storage for years. It is a powerful tool for identifying market cycles, as divergences between market cap and realized cap often signal extreme overvaluation or undervaluation.
By tracking the cost basis of participants, analysts can determine the level of unrealized profit or loss in the market. It is widely used to gauge the conviction of long-term investors versus speculative short-term traders.