Market volatility has been rough for risk assets. However, for some tokens, it has amplified existing weaknesses, pushing fragile positions to the brink and triggering mass capitulation, leaving conviction hanging by a thread.
Arbitrum [ARB] is a prime example. Down 40% so far in 2026, ARB is extending losses from the 2025 cycle, when it dropped over 70%, making it one of the weakest performers among mid-cap coins.
The result? After breaking the $0.20 level last month, ARB has officially extended losses into all-time low territory. Now, 100% of HODLers are holding at a loss, making any reversal even tougher for this mid-cap token.
Source: TradingView (ARB/USDT)
That said, on-chain liquidity is starting to pick back up.
Data from DeFiLlama shows Arbitrum’s stablecoin market cap is up almost 2% this week, adding nearly $65 million. USDC is leading the pack, jumping 3% and now making up 56.8% of the network’s stablecoin market.
That said, Total Value Locked (TVL) remains at multi-month lows, indicating that broader liquidity is still limited. With fewer assets committed on-chain, the network has less buffer to support a recovery, leaving ARB vulnerable.
And yet, on-chain fundamentals are showing bullish signs. Does this divergence between technicals and inflows signal that liquidity might be moving strategically elsewhere to sustain Arbitrum in the long game?
Why Arbitrum targets growth sectors
The blockchain space keeps evolving, even amid market FUD.
From Artificial Intelligence to DeFi and tokenization, the sector is gradually moving from a purely speculative mindset to a fundamentals-driven approach. Arbitrum’s latest move fits squarely into this transition.
ETHZilla is launching Eurus Aero Token I on Arbitrum, letting investors get tokenized access to income from jet engines leased to a US airline, showing how real-world assets (RWA) are starting to drive on-chain activity.
Source: RWAxyz
Notably, the timing couldn’t be better.
The RWA sector keeps attracting strong capital inflows, recently hitting an all-time high of around $24.7 billion in total assets. XAUT’s recent $6 billion milestone only underscores the growing momentum in this space.
From a strategic perspective, targeting the RWA sector helps attract more institutional capital. In this context, Arbitrum’s recent partnership with ETHZilla, along with its growing stablecoin market, backs this approach.
Most importantly, it’s about restoring conviction, as 100% of ARB HODLers remain underwater and the risk of full capitulation looms, making these strategic moves a key turning point for Arbitrum’s next cycle.
Final Thoughts
- Down 40% in 2026 and 100% of HODLers underwater, yet stablecoin activity and liquidity signals suggest strategic capital inflows.
- Arbitrum’s moves with ETHZilla and focus on RWAs aim to attract institutional capital and strengthen fundamentals for the next cycle.
Source: https://ambcrypto.com/arbitrum-dips-40-in-2026-can-ethzilla-deal-help-arb-recover/
