Short selling attacks are usually used to maliciously depress asset prices. Manipulators short or sell large quantities of an asset in order to trigger panic selling in the market, causing a chain reaction that leads to a sustained price decline.

Short strikes typically occur during periods of heightened market uncertainty, when manipulators further amplify market fears and prompt investors to sell their holdings. As such, this type of manipulation is particularly effective in a highly sensitive and volatile market environment such as the Web 3.0 market, where any action can trigger an unanticipated sharp price decline.