VeChain experienced explosive growth during the 2021 bull market, but is VET still worth buying now? — Here is the harsh truth

• VeChain's price soared during the 2021 bull market, but it has struggled to recover since then.
• Price forecasts indicate that VET may remain below $0.01 even by 2030.
• The risk-reward ratio appears unfavorable, making VET a difficult investment.

VeChain stood out during the 2021 bull market, when almost all major crypto assets were unstoppable. VET's price surged, reaching a peak close to $0.28 in April of that year. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Cardano, XRP, and Solana all hit their respective cycle highs. At that time, VeChain, fueled by market hype and strong momentum, undoubtedly looked like a winner.

Today, the situation is very different. The once sensational bull market... VET's previous upward momentum has long faded, replaced by years of sideways movement and persistent selling pressure. For nearly four years, bears have dominated the price action, leaving little room for any substantial rally or sustained recovery.

VeChain's Struggles Since the Bull Market

Since 2022, VeChain has appeared relatively weak on the charts, with only one notable surge in December 2024, when the overall cryptocurrency market experienced a brief rebound. This movement coincided with macroeconomic optimism, rather than any achievements by VeChain itself. Aside from this brief uptick, VET has failed to generate independent growth momentum or stand out from other competing cryptocurrencies. Its performance continues to follow the market, rather than lead it.

This lack of strong performance from a single asset has become an increasing concern for long-term holders. When the market slows, VET slows as well; and when the market rebounds, VET struggles to benefit. This pattern makes it difficult for traders to find reasons to establish new positions.

Price Forecasts Signal More Pain Ahead

To make matters worse, on-chain data and forecasting platforms like CoinCodex have made extremely pessimistic predictions about VeChain's future prospects. Their forecasts suggest that VET's price may continue to fall below the current $0.01 level and may not return to this price even by 2030. In reality, this means that those buying now could still be facing losses several years down the line.

Some estimates indicate that by the end of this decade, VET's value could shrink by another 40% to 50%. In this scenario, a $1,000 investment today might be worth only about $500 in five years. This is not the risk-reward ratio most investors are seeking, especially in a market full of various investment opportunities.

Should You Buy or Ignore VeChain Next?

Based on existing data, VeChain's outlook does not appear optimistic for investors seeking long-term returns. The token's reliance on overall market cycles, combined with its own weak performance and negative long-term forecasts, makes it difficult for investors to accept. Although VET still maintains some recognition from its 2021 rally, this alone may not be enough for investors to continue holding or increasing their positions.

For investors focused on capital preservation and growth, VeChain currently looks more like a risk than an opportunity. Until the project demonstrates clear and sustained strength of its own, ignoring VET may be the more prudent approach.