Aptos (APT) explained: what moves APT, and when to watch
Aptos came out of the same Meta project as Sui, but took its own path. It launched in October 2022 into a falling crypto market, and its chart has carried that story ever since.
At a glance
| Item | Aptos (APT) |
|---|---|
| What it is | A proof-of-stake blockchain that processes many transactions in parallel, built with Move |
| Price step | Set by each exchange, often $0.001 |
| What a move is worth | Depends on size: 25 APT × a $0.80 move = $20 |
| Busiest hours (ET) | Roughly 8:00 am–noon weekdays, plus Asian hours |
| What moves it most | Bitcoin's direction, token unlocks, staking reward changes, partnership news |
| Trading hours | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
What it is, briefly
Aptos is built by Aptos Labs, started by former engineers from Meta's Diem project. The main network launched on October 12, 2022, with 1 billion APT at the start.
Its trick is running transactions in parallel and sorting out any clashes afterwards. Apps are written in Move, the language first designed at Meta.
It uses proof of stake. There was no fixed cap at launch: new APT is paid out as staking rewards, at a rate set to fall over time. Holders have since debated changes to rewards and supply, so check the Aptos Foundation for the current rules.
What moves it
- Bitcoin. APT usually follows crypto's bigger direction.
- Token unlocks. A large share of APT went to the team, investors and the foundation, released over years. Monthly unlocks have been closely watched.
- Staking and supply votes. Changes to reward rates change how much new APT appears.
- Partnerships. Deals with big companies or finance firms get headlines. They don't always move price for long.
- The Fed and risk mood. FOMC at 2:00 pm ET, CPI at 8:30 am ET.
When it's busiest
The busiest stretch is usually weekday hours when Europe and the US overlap, about 8:00 am to noon ET. Aptos has a large community in Asia, so evenings ET can be active too. Weekends are quieter.
Its personality
- Unlock-driven. Price action around big unlock dates can be heavy.
- Headline pops that fade. Partnership news often brings a fast spike, then a slow give-back.
- Moves with "Move" chains. APT and SUI are often compared and sometimes swing together.
- Long weekend tails.
Reading it with our method
Start with bitcoin's daily chart, then APT's. Mark the last places price turned around. Higher highs and higher lows mean up. The reverse means down. See higher highs and higher lows.
A partnership spike isn't a new trend. Wait for a candle body to close past the last turning point, and for a higher low to form.
Size from the stop. Example with made-up numbers: risk $30, stop $1.20 away. $30 ÷ $1.20 = 25 APT. Use the position size calculator. A math example, not a promise.
Common mistakes
- Not checking the unlock calendar. Know when new supply is due.
- Buying the press release. Big-name partners don't mean the chart turns.
- Assuming APT and SUI always move together. They often don't. Read each chart on its own.
- No daily limit. Set a daily loss limit before you start.
Questions
When did Aptos launch?
The Aptos main network launched on October 12, 2022, with 1 billion APT at the start.
Does Aptos have a max supply?
It launched without a fixed cap. New APT is paid as staking rewards, and holders have voted on changes since, so check the Aptos Foundation for the current supply rules.
What's the difference between Aptos and Sui?
Both came from ex-Meta engineers and use the Move language. They are different networks with different designs, teams and tokens.
Why does APT drop around unlocks?
Unlocks release new tokens to early holders. If some sell, extra supply can push price down. It doesn't always happen, but traders watch the dates.
Want the next step? We'll walk you through it.
Four free lessons by email, one every few days — each with a 10-minute exercise on a real chart.
Send Me the Free Lessons 4 short emails · No spam · Unsubscribe anytimeOr see the whole method, step by step:
See What’s Inside the Course Try everything free first. Decide when you're ready. · Open the free chart tool (works in the TradingView phone app)One chart idea a day, in plain English. Follow along: