Number of Plankton (<1 ICP)

The Number of Plankton (<1 ICP) metric counts the total number of ICP addresses holding less than 1 ICP. These addresses are often referred to as “micro” or “residual” wallets, typically containing small leftover balances from transfers, staking rewards, or token airdrops. The metric provides a sense of the distribution of minimal holdings across the network.

How it’s calculated

All addresses are scanned and classified based on their current ICP balance. Addresses with balances strictly below 1 ICP are counted under this category. Each address is counted once, regardless of transaction history or activity level.

Interpretation of trends

The Number of Plankton offers insight into the fragmentation and distribution of micro-holdings on the network:

• Increasing plankton count: Suggests that many small balances are being created, which may result from token dispersion via airdrops, staking rewards, dust accumulation, or residual transfers.
• Stable plankton count: Indicates that micro-wallets are neither being consolidated nor proliferating significantly, reflecting equilibrium in small-balance address distribution.
• Declining plankton count: Can signal consolidation, where micro-holdings are aggregated into larger wallets or cleared, reducing the total number of minimal balances.

Although plankton addresses represent a very small fraction of ICP supply individually, their aggregate number provides insight into user-level dispersion and network fragmentation.

Limitations

While the Number of Plankton is useful for understanding micro-level distribution, it has several limitations:

• Low economic significance: Each address holds a negligible amount of ICP, so changes in this metric rarely impact overall token supply or market dynamics.
• Not indicative of active users: Many plankton addresses may be inactive, dust wallets, or temporary holding addresses.
• Influenced by automated processes: Canisters, staking rewards, or micro-transactions can generate numerous small addresses that do not reflect genuine user behavior.

Disclaimer: The information provided in the descriptions above is for informational and educational purposes only and is intended as a general overview of the referenced metrics. These descriptions are illustrative, descriptive, and non-exhaustive; additional interpretations, use cases, and limitations may exist that are not covered here. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, investment, legal, tax, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as the sole basis for any decision-making process. All users should conduct their own independent research, validate data through multiple sources, and consult with qualified professionals where appropriate. The content provided does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or reliability, and no representation or warranty is made regarding its correctness. The metrics, interpretations, and examples mentioned are subject to change over time and may not reflect all possible scenarios or market conditions. By using this information, you acknowledge that you do so at your own discretion and responsibility. No advisory, fiduciary, or client relationship is created through the use or reading of this material.