Glossary

All-Time High (ATH)

Plain-language definition Crypto glossary

Key takeaways

An all-time high (ATH) is the highest price an asset has ever traded at.
It is a fixed reference point: analysts describe the current price as a percentage "down from ATH," and a move above it is a breakout to new highs.
On its own the ATH says nothing about future direction — being far below an ATH can mean room to recover or a broken trend.

Definition

An all-time high (ATH) is the highest price an asset has ever traded at. It is a simple but closely watched reference point for how far a coin sits below — or above — its historical peak.

How it works

The ATH is recorded the moment a new peak is set and remains fixed until an even higher price prints. Analysts often describe the current price as a percentage “down from ATH,” and a move above a previous ATH is called a breakout to new highs. Its mirror image is the all-time low, the lowest price ever reached.

Why it matters

The ATH frames sentiment and expectations: assets far below their ATH are sometimes seen as having room to recover, while new ATHs can signal strong momentum but also stretched valuations. On its own it says nothing about future direction.

Example

If a coin once reached $100 and now trades at $40, it is 60% below its all-time high.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does "down from ATH" mean?

It is how far below its all-time high a coin currently trades, shown as a percentage. If a coin once reached $100 and now trades at $40, it is 60% down from its ATH.

Is a new all-time high bullish?

A new ATH signals strong momentum and price discovery, but it can also point to stretched valuations. It is a sentiment signal, not a guarantee of further gains.

What is the opposite of an all-time high?

The all-time low (ATL), the lowest price an asset has ever reached. Together the ATH and ATL frame an asset's historical trading range.