Where Things Stand Right Now
Livepeer has been quietly building something more ambitious than just decentralized video transcoding. Over the last few months, the project has pushed deeper into AI-driven video workflows, rolling out tools like ComfyStream and Daydream that handle real-time video manipulation, AI overlays, and interactive streaming. These aren’t just flashy features—they’re actual signs that demand for decentralized video AI infrastructure is growing. The launch of the Livepeer Foundation has also helped bring more structure to governance and ecosystem coordination, which is a good sign for long-term sustainability.
But not everything has been smooth. On December 18, KuCoin announced it would remove Livepeer from cross-margin trading, effective December 23. That forced a lot of margin traders to close positions quickly, and it’s showing up as added volatility and some downward price pressure. While this is a short-term headwind, the underlying growth in on-chain usage—especially from AI video workloads—is still there, creating a tension between bearish liquidity signals and bullish utility trends.
Right now, LPT is trading around $2.91, barely up over the last 24 hours. The momentum is weak. On the four-hour chart, the RSI is sitting just under 40, which usually means the bulls are taking a break. The MACD is below its signal line too, though there’s a hint of bullish divergence in the histogram—basically, the selling might be running out of steam. Moving averages are overhead around $2.98, acting as resistance. Support is holding around $2.80 to $2.87, but if that breaks, things could get messy fast.
What to Expect in the Weeks and Months Ahead
Short-Term: The Next Few Weeks
In the near term, Livepeer is probably going to chop around between $2.80 and $3.10 unless something big happens. The forced deleveraging from KuCoin, combined with weak momentum and proximity to support, means the path of least resistance is sideways to slightly down. If selling pressure picks up—maybe from more exchange policy changes or broader crypto market weakness—LPT could test $2.60 or lower. On the flip side, if there’s a catalyst—new partnerships, a surge in AI video usage, or just better macro conditions—a push above $3.10 could open the door to $3.50.
The RSI being oversold could give us a bounce, but technical signals alone won’t change the trend. We need a real reason for buyers to step in.
Mid-Term: Looking Toward 2026
By the first half of 2026, the picture could look a lot different if Livepeer keeps executing. The demand for decentralized AI video processing is real, and if the protocol can scale its usage fees, improve developer tools, and expand its AI-inference capacity—especially with initiatives like Bring Your Own Container models—price could gradually recover into the $4.50 to $6.50 range. That’s assuming the sell pressure from the exchange changes fades and staking rewards stay attractive.
Some forecasts, like DigitalCoinPrice, put the average 2026 price around $5.70, with highs near $6.44 under favorable conditions. That’s not out of reach, but it depends on a lot going right.
Risks, Triggers, and What to Watch
There are plenty of ways this could go sideways. More exchange delistings or margin restrictions would hurt liquidity and probably send price lower. Broader crypto market headwinds—regulation, capital outflows, risk-off sentiment—could also weigh on LPT even if fundamentals hold up. On the upside, faster adoption in creator tools, livestream monetization, or AI video networks could boost fee revenues and flip sentiment quickly. Governance decisions around tokenomics—inflation rates, staking rewards, foundation strategy—are wildcards that could swing things either way.
Here are the levels and triggers to keep an eye on:
- A clean break above $3.10 with volume could open the door to $3.50 and higher.
- Losing $2.80 support might lead to a test of $2.60 or lower.
- Getting back above $4.00 would likely need multiple bullish catalysts—more usage, new partnerships, and strong developer activity all lining up.
Livepeer is in a tricky spot right now. On one hand, the short-term technicals and recent exchange policy changes point to consolidation or modest downside. On the other, the protocol’s growing role in real-time AI video infrastructure, improving adoption metrics, and evolving governance give it a solid foundation for recovery and upside as we move into 2026. It’s a classic case of near-term noise versus long-term signal. If you’re watching this one, keep your eyes on the support levels, liquidity conditions, and whether the AI video narrative starts converting into measurable fee growth.
