https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/11/OCIG1Y0a34b0.png

This is the **FIRST** time in 8 Editions of this post, we have seen real **divergence** from key trends which could have an impact on the Steem Economic System moving forward. There has been a single trigger for this divergence, which is interesting to say the least...

Without further ado, let’s get down to the Highlights;

## Steemit Statistics Week 9 Highlights
**Liquid Steem DECREASES 17.48% Week on Week:** 
This is a very interesting finding. This is the first time since monitoring Steemit Statistics that Liquid Steem has fallen. To put this in perspective, Liquid Steem has been increasing by over 10% Week on Week for some time now, which has been the main driver of the falling price of Steem. 

This has been driven by significant levels of Powering Up this week. You can see that, Steem Power had been 
increasing by roughly 5m per week, however this week we almost hit an 8m increase. Looking through the Top 100 Accounts (which can be found [here](https://steemd.com/richlist)), there has been 3 new entries

14: @databass
22: @created
28: @safari

When you follow the money, it appears these accounts have all been created/funded by the @steemit account, controlled by @dan and @ned (The Steemit development fund). @steemit has sent Powered Down Steem to these accounts (for those who didn't know this is possible, you can simultaneously Power Down Steem and send it to another user, look at advanced options under Power Down in your wallet). It will be interesting to see how these accounts operate over the coming weeks/months…

Addition: None of these 3 account have made an independent action on the Steem Blockchain thus far...

http://i.imgsafe.org/7a912413f6.png

**Active Users Continue Decline**
As previously discussed, it’s hard to get a true handle on these numbers due to various Steem Protocol changes affecting bot activity over the past 6 weeks. This being said, it’s appears at the very least that User Numbers are **not** increasing, and have been increasing for a few weeks.

**Top 100 Accounts Continue to Lose Control of Steem Power:**
Continuation of the trend identified over the past 6 weeks has seen the Top 100 Steem Power Control fall by either 0.55% or 0.45% depending on which calculation you prefer. Steem Distribution continues…

**Trading Volume Falls**
Trading Volume across Steem, Steem Dollars, Internal and External Exchanges fell this weeks. This is quiet a volatile metric, however is one which I would like to see **high** moving forward. This aids in distribution and price discovered which overall stabilises the Steem Economic System. Nothing to be deduced from a 1 week fall, however I will be monitoring this closely moving forward.

https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/21/steem-statistic_16079082_440d57e9f811c5a6b8d8464693bde93f00f838220f1a1.png

http://i.imgsafe.org/7a92e2b367.png
http://i.imgsafe.org/7a93b39de4.png
http://i.imgsafe.org/7a946a6b0f.png
http://i.imgsafe.org/7ab228897c.png
http://i.imgsafe.org/7a952baba4.png
http://i.imgsafe.org/7a95d72233.png

**I am currently in Muscat, Oman. This post was put together on the flight over. Your likely to not hear too much from myself for the next week, however I will be sure to make up for it when I get back to London next weekend.**

## Sources:
https://steemd.com
https://steemd.com/richlist
https://steemle.com/charts.php
https://steemit.com/market
https://poloniex.com/exchange#btc_steem
https://poloniex.com/exchange#usdt_btc
https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/steem/
https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/steem-dollars/

**Would be interesting to hear your thoughts...**

**A Special thanks to @steemitguide for graphics provided to this post**