For small - cap cryptocurrencies with recent significant price fluctuations, a technical breakthrough in the project, such as a more efficient consensus mechanism, can increase its market value by 50 - 100% as it attracts more investors. However, if an application fails to land, for instance, a blockchain - based supply - chain project not being adopted by major companies as expected, its price may drop by 60 - 80%. In terms of market manipulation, big players may use tactics like "pump - and - dump." They first buy a large amount of a small - cap coin, driving up the price by 200 - 300% through false rumors and marketing. Then they sell their holdings, causing the price to plummet by 80 - 90% as retail investors panic - sell.