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Soft Landing

Feb 18, 2025 | Updated Feb 18, 2025
A soft landing is a situation in financial markets where the economy gradually slows down rather than an abrupt crash.

A soft landing is a situation in financial markets where the economy gradually slows down rather than an abrupt crash, especially after a period of rapid economic growth.

What Does Soft Landing Mean?

In economics, soft landing refers to a scenario in the financial markets involving a gradual slowdown or adjustment in economic growth to more controlled or stable levels. This often occurs after an economy has experienced rapid growth. In other words, it involves controlling inflation without triggering a recession. 

In the cryptocurrency markets, it refers to a controlled and steady decline in asset values after a period of rapid growth or volatility. This concept allows for market correction and stability without causing extreme losses. This adjustment is in contrast to a hard landing, a scenario characterized by a sudden and severe downturn, often leading to rapid sell-offs, sharp price decline, and significant market panic.

The primary goal of this concept is to strike a balance between economic growth and the potential inflation from the cryptocurrency’s upswing. Put another way, it prevents severe recession while minimizing inflationary pressures, thereby leading to sustainable growth.

To summarize, a soft landing can be characterized by:

  • Gradual decline in asset prices – The value of assets is gradually adjusted to more steady, long-term levels rather than sudden declines.
  • Reduced market volatility – An asset’s volatility drops as its price becomes more and more stable.
  • Increased asset accumulation – Crypto investors will continue buying more crypto as their prices drop, expecting the assets to appreciate in the future.

What Factors Contribute to a Soft Landing?

Some of the factors influencing this scenario in crypto markets include:

  • Market correction – Crypto correction refers to the natural or reasonable adjustment of crypto prices after a period of excessive growth. This adjustment allows overvalued assets to be corrected and asset values to reach a steady mark for the long term.
  • Economic conditions – Favourable macroeconomic factors can boost investor confidence and minimize the asset’s volatility.
  • Regulatory changes – Favourable government regulations and policies that impact cryptocurrencies can influence stability and confidence, resulting in smoother transitions and market correction rather than abrupt crashes.

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