Deep Dive
1. Supply Shock Dynamics (Bullish Impact)
Overview:
As of 17 August 2025, 18.7% of CHESS’s circulating supply is locked for ~6 months (Tranchess), up from 18.91% in May 2025. Locking grants boosted yields and governance rights, incentivizing long-term holding.
What this means:
Reduced sell-side liquidity amplifies price impact of buy orders. With just 204M CHESS circulating (68% of total supply), even modest demand can drive volatility. This aligns with CHESS’s +8.71% 60-day gain despite choppy markets.
What to look out for:
Unlock schedules and whether staking rewards remain competitive versus alternatives like Lido or Rocket Pool.
2. Buyback Program Progress (Mixed Impact)
Overview:
Tranchess’s buyback program, launched in May 2025, aims to repurchase 10% of CHESS’s market cap (~$1.47M) over six months using protocol revenue (Tranchess).
What this means:
Buybacks directly remove tokens from circulation, creating structural demand. However, the program’s impact depends on sustained revenue – primarily from Tranchess’s yield products tied to BTC/BNB performance. With BTC near all-time highs, revenue streams likely remain robust but are vulnerable to market reversals.
3. Technical Rebound (Neutral Impact)
Overview:
CHESS reclaimed its 30-day SMA ($0.0727) on 3 September, with RSI-14 at 48.48 suggesting neutral momentum. The MACD histogram (-0.000214) signals bearish divergence but hasn’t triggered a sell signal yet.
What this means:
Short-term traders may interpret the SMA hold as a consolidation phase before another leg up. However, weak volume (-34.68% 24h) raises liquidity concerns – a close below $0.0715 (Fibonacci 61.8% level) could invite deeper correction.
Conclusion
CHESS’s gains reflect a combination of engineered scarcity (buybacks/locking) and cautious technical optimism, though low liquidity amplifies risk. Key watch: Can Tranchess sustain buybacks if BTC/BNB volatility hits its yield products? Monitor protocol revenue dashboards and BTC’s $57.6K support level for directional cues.