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Will Espresso [ESP] hit $1B valuation? Korean listings spark 80% explosion

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ESP turns into a flying rocket, surging 80% to $0.1736.

Posted: February 25, 2026 Avatar

By: Emilio Munoru Journalist Edited By: Renuka Tahelyani ESP rockets 80% as Korean listings and $881M Volume fuel $1B valuation talk

Emilio Munoru Journalist Edited By: Renuka Tahelyani Posted: February 25, 2026 Share this article

On the 24th of February, Espresso dominated headlines with raw momentum. The project operated as a shared sequencing layer for Ethereum Layer-2 rollups. That infrastructure narrative suddenly met aggressive capital inflows.

Notably, Binance and Coinbase had listed ESP on the 12th of February. However, Upbit and Bithumb listings shifted sentiment violently. Korean liquidity poured in fast. Could this wave sustain the breakout?

ESP up 80% in 24 hours, hitting $0.173

The move was sharp and relentless. Espresso [ESP] surged 80% within a single day, trading at $0.173 at press time. It outperformed a sluggish broader market without hesitation, leaving most altcoins behind.

Source: CoinMarketcap

Due to these developments, the price entered clean discovery territory. There was no historical resistance capping momentum.

Therefore, traders chased upside aggressively, fearing a missed opportunity. At the time of writing, the token was in a violent expansion phase, beating nearly every major token across the board.

Volume explodes and Open Interest hits all-time highs

The breakout was backed by undeniable participation. Volume exploded to $881M, according to CoinGlass data.

Source: CoinGlass

That number alone reflected intense speculative and spot demand, and it was exactly what investors wanted to see during a breakout of this scale. This was not thin liquidity or random retail noise. It showed real commitment and full conviction flowing into the market.

Meanwhile, Open Interest climbed to $56.03M at press time.

Source: CoinGlass

Fresh leverage entered quickly as traders positioned for continuation. These were not just small investors testing the waters. As a result, volatility risk increased alongside conviction, with serious capital now exposed to sharp swings.

Is this the start of a run to a $1B valuation?

Major Korean listings historically fueled extended rallies. In particular, Upbit access often amplified aggressive retail-driven expansion cycles. Also, Binance, the beast of liquidity, thanks to its deep liquidity, provided the structural backbone for sustained trading activity. This suggested the rally carried more than hype.

It carried access, reach, and serious market depth.

Moreover, $881M in Volume signaled undeniable capital rotation.

That level alone reflected intensity approaching billion-dollar territory. Therefore, a $1B valuation no longer seemed distant; it felt increasingly achievable under sustained pressure.

However, failure to sustain leverage could unwind gains sharply and brutally. Looking ahead, continuation required stable demand, disciplined positioning, and consistent liquidity support.

Final Summary

Espresso [ESP] surged 80% in 24 hours, trading at $0.173 after aggressive capital inflows.
Korean exchange listings on Upbit and Bithumb triggered a sharp sentiment shift and liquidity spike.

Next: 6 more months of bearish pressure? THESE metrics flash warnings Share

Emilio Munoru

Emilio is a cryptocurrency journalist, with a focus on breaking market news, Bitcoin and altcoin ETF flows, whale activity, liquidity moves, and major exchange listings. His coverage blends technical analysis with macro and on-chain data, helping readers understand how institutional behavior and new market catalysts drive volatility across digital assets. More Articles