what is an atl

What Is All-Time Low (ATL)?

ATL, or All-Time Low, refers to the lowest recorded trading price of a crypto asset since its initial listing on any exchange. Most crypto data platforms provide specific ATL values and dates, offering insight into the market’s most pessimistic moments. ATL is typically discussed alongside ATH (All-Time High) for a comprehensive view of price extremes.

Why Is ATL Important?

ATL helps evaluate downside risk and potential price retracement.

When an asset approaches its all-time low, it signals heightened market pessimism, and investors should exercise extra caution before buying. For long-term holders employing a dollar-cost averaging strategy, ATL offers a historical reference point. For active traders, ATL serves as a critical marker for setting stop-loss orders, limit buys, and managing position sizes.

Newly listed tokens or those undergoing unlock events often establish new ATLs more frequently. Ignoring ATL can lead to buying at elevated prices during periods of low liquidity or heightened sell pressure, significantly increasing risk.

How Is ATL Determined?

ATL is not calculated using a formula; it is the historical record of the lowest executed trade price.

The standard measure is the lowest price at which a trade occurred on any exchange. Since prices can vary across platforms, data aggregators like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko consolidate data from multiple exchanges and display an "All-Time Low" field with both price and date.

Key points to consider:

1. During periods of thin liquidity, sudden large orders can trigger abnormal lows, which data platforms may still record as ATL.
2. The quoted currency affects ATL values—most sites use USD, but using BTC or ETH as the quote currency can yield different results.
3. Shadow prices from derivatives markets are excluded; only spot market transactions count toward ATL.

Typical Scenarios for ATL in Crypto

ATLs often occur in conditions of intense sell pressure or low liquidity.

When new tokens are listed on an exchange, price swings are typically sharp in the early days due to unstable market-making. Even small sell orders can push prices to temporary lows and establish an ATL.

During token unlock periods, newly unlocked tokens increase supply and selling pressure, making it easier for the price to approach or create new ATLs. Tokens with high FDV (Fully Diluted Valuation) are especially vulnerable during unlocks.

Macro shocks or black swan events can also drive risk assets to new lows. Yield farming reward tokens frequently hit new ATLs due to ongoing emissions and sell pressure. Stablecoins experiencing a depeg event may briefly record an ATL below $1, reflecting technical or trust issues before typically returning to their peg.

On centralized exchanges like Gate, initial trading depth and market-making arrangements directly influence ATL. If order books are thin or capital is limited, extreme lows are more likely to be reached.

How to Use or Avoid ATL

Consider ATL as a “historical support marker,” but not as an unbreakable price floor.

Step 1: Research Historical Lows. On Gate, search for your target asset, open the market chart, select the maximum time frame (e.g., all-time), and use the crosshair tool to identify and note the lowest price and date.

Step 2: Set Price Alerts. In Gate’s market interface, use the “Alert” function to set notifications near the historical low, choosing one-time or recurring alerts so you don’t miss critical moves.

Step 3: Position Sizing. Divide your intended investment into smaller tranches and place laddered buy orders at intervals (e.g., using percentage gaps), rather than concentrating all capital at a single potential ATL.

Step 4: Risk Management. Utilize stop-loss limit or conditional orders to automatically reduce exposure if the price breaks below key support levels, minimizing losses and slippage.

Step 5: Combine With Fundamentals. Monitor unlock schedules, token distribution, funding rates, and liquidity pool depth. If a large unlock or liquidity drop is imminent, maintain a margin of safety and avoid relying solely on ATL for buy decisions.

Step 6: Dynamic Updates. ATL may be refreshed after major events. Set alerts to “persistent,” and adjust your strategy as on-chain data and official announcements evolve.

Recent ATL Trends and Notable Data

As of January 2026, there are three key trends and data points worth monitoring:

1. Stability Among Leading Assets: For example, ETH’s early ATL was around $0.43 in October 2015 (source: CoinMarketCap USD spot data as of January 2026); SOL’s ATL was about $0.50 in May 2020 (source: CoinGecko). Major assets have not recorded new ATLs in the past year, highlighting their resilience.
2. Volatility in Newly Listed Tokens: Over the past six months, it’s become increasingly common for new tokens to hit fresh lows within 30 days of listing—especially when unlocks or market-making are incomplete. You can review “ATL date” fields on data aggregators’ “New” or “Recently Added” sections and cross-reference these with Gate’s K-line charts.
3. Unique Case of Stablecoins: Stablecoin ATLs usually occur during short-lived depeg events driven by liquidity mismatches or panic; prices typically revert after confidence returns if mechanisms are sound. To determine whether such lows are relevant for analysis, review reserve disclosures and on-chain liquidity.

Data Note: The above examples use CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko’s “All-Time Low” fields as of January 2026; for some assets, ATL prices and dates may vary between platforms—cross-check using spot market records from leading exchanges.

How Does ATL Differ From ATH?

ATL refers to an asset’s lowest recorded trading price; ATH (All-Time High) is its highest. These extremes reflect opposite ends of market sentiment—ATL marks peak fear, while ATH indicates peak optimism. Investors use ATL to assess downside risk and drawdown potential; ATH is used to gauge upside potential and possible resistance levels from previous buyers.

A common misconception is that ATL is a guaranteed floor or ATH an unreachable ceiling. Both can be broken as supply-demand dynamics and fundamentals change—new tokens often break below their initial ATLs during unlock periods, while strong assets can surpass previous ATHs in bull markets.

Key Terms

• ATL (All-Time Low): The lowest price point an asset has reached since its listing, used to evaluate historical downside performance.
• Price Volatility: The degree of fluctuation in a crypto asset’s price over time, reflecting supply-demand dynamics and investor sentiment.
• Market Cycle: The complete progression of a cryptocurrency from bottom to peak and back down again, typically including both bear and bull phases.
• Technical Analysis: A method for predicting future price movements by studying historical price and trading volume data.
• Risk Management: Strategies such as stop-loss orders and diversification employed by investors to reduce potential losses.

FAQ

What’s the actual difference between ATL and ATH?

ATL (All-Time Low) marks the lowest price since listing; ATH (All-Time High) marks the highest. Together, these values define the historical range of an asset’s volatility. Investors use them to assess the current price relative to past extremes and estimate potential risks.

What does it mean when a coin hits its ATL?

When a coin reaches its ATL, it has fallen to its lowest ever recorded price—a sign of deep market pessimism but also a potential setup for a rebound. Historically, assets hitting ATL often see strong recoveries; however, ATL does not guarantee a bottom, so it’s crucial to also consider fundamentals and overall market trends.

How can I track if a coin on Gate is approaching its ATL?

On Gate’s market page for each coin, you’ll find data fields such as 24h low, 7-day low, and all-time low. By comparing the current price with its historical low, you can gauge proximity to ATL. Use Gate’s price alert feature for timely notifications if your target asset nears its all-time low.

Why do some coins keep setting new ATLs?

Repeatedly setting new ATLs usually signals project distress or persistent negative sentiment—this could stem from stalled development, team issues, delisting threats, or broader bear markets. Such assets carry significant risk; beginners should avoid impulsive dip-buying until they thoroughly research project fundamentals and community activity.

How should I assess risk for newly listed coins without an ATL record?

For new coins lacking historical data, use the first-day or first-week low as an initial benchmark and compare it with current prices for a basic risk assessment. Focus on reviewing whitepapers, team backgrounds, community engagement, and exchange reputation before investing—especially on reputable platforms like Gate—and avoid chasing initial spikes.

References & Further Reading

• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Atl
• https://blog.blendee.com/en/glossario-cdp-marketing-automation/above-the-line-atl/
• https://newage.agency/en/blog/what-is-atl-btl-and-ttl-in-marketing/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATL_%26_BTL_Agencies
• https://oneday.agency/blog/above-the-line-marketing