Internet Computer Coming after our contract and holder checks finish for this coin. See the Scorecard for every call so far.
What it is
The Internet Computer is a blockchain built to host full applications, including their websites and data, directly on-chain rather than on cloud servers like Amazon. Programs on it are called canisters. It is developed mainly by the DFINITY Foundation, a Swiss non-profit, and runs on dedicated hardware operated by independent node providers.
ICP is used in two main ways. First, it is converted into "cycles," the fuel that pays for computing and storage; when ICP becomes cycles, that ICP is burned. Second, it is locked into "neurons" to vote in the Network Nervous System, the on-chain governance system that approves upgrades and settings. Neuron holders earn voting rewards, and node providers are paid in newly minted ICP.
Because voting and node rewards are paid with new tokens, ICP has no fixed supply and has run at a high inflation rate, about 9.7% a year at the start of 2026. In January 2026 DFINITY proposed "Mission 70," a plan to cut that inflation by about 70% through lower voting and node rewards, a shorter maximum lock period for neurons, and more cycles burning as usage grows.
What can go wrong
- Inflation has been high; unless reward cuts are carried out and usage grows enough to burn more ICP, holders are diluted year after year.
- ICP fell roughly 90% in its first month of trading in 2021, and the launch drew a U.S. class-action suit claiming the token was sold as an unregistered security, along with reports of heavy selling from probable insider addresses.
- The DFINITY Foundation holds strong influence over development and governance votes, so the network is more centralized than its marketing suggests.
- Locking ICP in a neuron for rewards means it cannot be sold until the lock period runs out, which can be years.
If you lock ICP in a neuron to earn rewards, understand the dissolve delay first. Your ICP is stuck for the length you choose, no matter what the price does.
Safety checks
- Track recordGoodTrading since 2021, about 5 years. It has been through at least one full market cycle.
- Trading activityGood$40.9 million traded in the last 24 hours, 2.5% of its market value. That's enough activity that a normal-size order shouldn't move the price.
- Coins still to comeGood558.0 million of 558.0 million total coins are in circulation, so about 0% or less are still to be released. Little new supply is left to hit the market. There is no fixed maximum, so new coins can keep being created.
- Distance from its peakRed flagDown 100% from its all-time high of $700.65 in May 2021. Most people who bought near the top have lost most of their money. A big drop doesn't make a coin cheap.
- Past yearFor context−7% over the past year, against −25.3% for bitcoin. It has held up better than bitcoin.
History of trouble and big events
- May 2021: ICP began trading and dropped about 90% within its first month.
- Jul 2021: A class action was filed alleging ICP was sold as an unregistered security.
- Jan 2026: DFINITY published the Mission 70 proposal to cut ICP inflation by about 70%.
Holding a token on a smaller network, or got sent one you don't recognize? Run its address through the free checker. Copycat tokens often borrow big names.