In the world of cryptocurrency exchanges, the letters "ST" carry a unique significance. They’re not just a common suffix for token names, nor are they a random combination of characters.
According to the rules on Gate and other major exchanges, "ST" stands for "Special Treatment." It’s a systematic label specifically designed to alert users that a particular token is facing elevated risk.
When you see this label, it often signals that the token may be on the verge of being delisted from the exchange.
01 Warning Significance: The Core Nature of the ST Label
On Gate and similar cryptocurrency exchanges, the "ST" label shares some similarities with the "ST" concept in China’s A-share stock market, but it’s specifically tailored to the characteristics of digital assets.
At its core, the ST label is a risk warning system. When an exchange’s monitoring and evaluation processes detect that a listed token project may be jeopardizing user interests or disrupting market order, the token is tagged with ST.
The primary purpose of this label is to protect traders by giving them early warning about potential risks associated with the token. This helps users avoid unexpected losses from sudden project failures or delistings.
It’s important to distinguish this "ST" label from any "ST" suffix that might appear in a token’s name (such as "Security Token"). The former is a risk rating imposed by the exchange, while the latter is simply part of the token’s attribute or classification.
02 Trigger Conditions: When Does a Token Get Tagged ST?
Exchanges don’t assign the ST label arbitrarily. Instead, it’s based on a set of clear risk assessment criteria. Drawing from the rules of multiple exchanges, tokens are typically marked ST for several key reasons:
The primary factor is a deterioration in project fundamentals. If the project team becomes inactive, core members go missing, or the team dissolves, this immediately triggers an ST evaluation.
Severe delays in development compared to whitepaper commitments, an inaccessible official website, or long-term neglect of social media channels are also considered high-risk signals.
Market liquidity issues are another crucial indicator. When a token’s average daily trading volume consistently falls below a specific threshold (such as 10,000 USDT or less), or when the bid-ask spread is too wide and market depth is lacking, it shows that the asset no longer enjoys a healthy trading environment.
Such low liquidity not only makes trading more difficult for regular users, but also leaves the token vulnerable to price manipulation.
Technical and compliance risks must also be considered. If a project’s smart contract is found to have security vulnerabilities, suffers a hack that isn’t properly addressed, or faces regulatory violations, the exchange will quickly initiate a risk response.
Additionally, failure by the project team to fulfill disclosure obligations, concealment of major events (like sudden token issuance), or involvement in negative publicity can also result in an ST label.
03 Handling Process: From ST Tag to Final Delisting
Once a token is marked ST, it enters a structured handling process. This gives the project team a chance to make corrections and provides holders with time to respond.
First, the ST label itself serves as a clear warning. On platforms like Gate, tokens marked ST are prominently displayed on trading pages and in token pair lists.
Exchanges typically issue official announcements to inform users which tokens have received the ST tag, and holders are advised to closely monitor these updates.
Next, after the ST label is applied, the project team usually receives a brief window to address the issues. For example, some exchanges grant the team three days to demonstrate the continued value of their project.
During this period, if the team successfully resolves the problems that triggered the ST label and proves to the exchange that the risks have been eliminated, the ST tag may be removed.
Finally, if the team fails to make effective corrections within the specified timeframe, the exchange will proceed to the next step—usually suspending trading and initiating the delisting process. Once a delisting decision is made, the exchange sets a clear timeline for the removal.
04 Historical Cases: ST and Delisting Practices on Gate
Gate has carried out several delistings based on risk assessments, with some cases closely linked to the ST label mechanism.
One of the most notable actions was the large-scale cleanup in May 2025, when Gate announced the delisting of 33 tokens and their USDT trading pairs in a single move.
Affected tokens included ULD, SECOND, LNR, HER, ADF, and several others. Following the announcement, these tokens experienced significant price drops—ULD, for instance, fell by more than 40%.
The main reason for delisting was that these tokens "no longer met our platform’s trading standards," specifically due to insufficient liquidity, project inactivity, and poor development transparency.
More recently, in October 2025, Gate expanded the scope of its monitoring labels (similar to the ST tag), adding 10 tokens—ARDR, BSW, FLM, LTO, NKN, PDA, PERP, VIB, VOXEL, and WING—to the watchlist.
This announcement led to sharp price declines for the affected tokens: LTO dropped 37%, VOXEL fell 31%, and WING lost 33%. These events clearly show how risk labels can directly impact market sentiment.
It’s also worth noting that Gate simultaneously removed the "Seed label" from JUP, STRK, and TON, indicating these projects had successfully established themselves in the market and no longer required special monitoring.
05 User Response: What to Do If Your Token Is Marked ST
For users holding tokens that receive the ST label, taking prompt and appropriate action is critical. Based on the rules of several exchanges, here are some recommended strategies:
The first priority is to stay informed through official channels. If your token is marked ST, immediately check the exchange’s announcement center for details.
These announcements typically explain the reasons for the ST label, outline the subsequent process, and provide a timeline—essential information for making decisions.
Assessing risk and considering withdrawal is the core response. The ST label means the token faces a high risk of delisting, and users will no longer be able to deposit it.
Most exchanges recommend that as soon as you see an ST warning, you seriously consider withdrawing your assets to a personal wallet. Hesitating could leave you in a much more complicated situation.
It’s vital to act within the limited time window. If a token is ultimately delisted, exchanges typically allow a 30-day withdrawal period.
If you don’t withdraw your tokens within this timeframe, you may lose access to them, and any resulting losses are your responsibility. After delisting, the relevant trading pairs are removed and wallet functions are disabled.
Be alert to market volatility risks as well. Historical data shows that tokens marked ST or announced for delisting often experience dramatic price swings.
Trying to profit from trading during this period is extremely risky, and regular investors should proceed with caution.
Looking Ahead
The ST label mechanism on exchanges acts as a sophisticated early warning system. Whether it’s Gate delisting 33 tokens at once, or seeing prices plunge by over 30% when ARDR, BSW, and other tokens are added to the watchlist, this system is actively filtering market risk.
For investors, that red "ST" tag isn’t just decorative—it’s a signal to take immediate action.
