Why Is Berachain Up 150% Overnight After a Year of Silence?

Berachain’s native token, BERA, surged over 150% on February 11, marking its sharpest single-day gain in months. The rally follows weeks of renewed activity after the project spent much of 2025 under pressure from falling prices, token unlock concerns, and investor uncertainty.

The immediate catalyst appears to be the foundation’s strategic shift toward a new model called “Bera Builds Businesses.” 

Sponsored

Sponsored

Berachain’s Refund Fears to Revenue Ambitions: What Changed?

Announced in January, the initiative aims to back three to five revenue-generating applications designed to create sustainable demand for BERA. 

Instead of relying on heavy token incentives, the network now plans to focus on projects capable of producing real cash flow.

That pivot changed the narrative.

Throughout 2025, Berachain struggled as TVL (total value locked) collapsed from early highs, and the token fell more than 90% from its peak. Critics questioned whether its incentive-heavy growth model could survive a prolonged market downturn.

However, another major overhang also disappeared this month.

Sponsored

Sponsored

A controversial refund clause tied to Brevan Howard’s Nova Digital fund expired on February 6, 2026. The clause reportedly allowed the investor to request a $25 million refund if performance conditions were not met.

With the deadline passing, traders appear to view the removal of that risk as structurally positive.

At the same time, a large token unlock event also cleared without triggering heavy selling. That outcome fueled what analysts describe as a “relief rally.”

On-chain and derivatives data show rising trading volume and increasing open interest. 

Liquidation heatmaps indicate clustered short positions above key resistance levels, suggesting that short covering may have amplified upward momentum.

Still, risks remain.

Berachain faces continued token distribution pressure and must prove that its business-focused strategy can generate sustained demand. 

For now, however, the market appears to be rewarding clarity and the removal of uncertainty after a long period of silence.