Terminal Value Calculation
Terminal value calculation estimates the present value of all future cash flows beyond a specific projection period. In crypto valuation, this captures the bulk of an asset's total value, assuming the protocol reaches a steady state of maturity.
It typically uses the perpetual growth rate assumption to represent the infinite horizon of the project. This calculation is essential for valuing protocols that are expected to survive long-term, such as decentralized exchanges or lending platforms.
The accuracy of this metric depends heavily on the chosen exit multiple or growth rate. High terminal values in a model often signal a reliance on distant, uncertain future performance rather than current fundamentals.
Investors use this to determine if a protocol's long-term utility justifies its current market capitalization.