Token unlock

A token unlock is the scheduled release of previously restricted tokens, letting early investors, team members, or advisors sell or transfer coins that were locked when the project launched. It matters to readers because a large unlock can flood the market with new supply, often pushing the price down if demand doesn't keep pace with the extra tokens hitting exchanges. For example, when Aptos released a batch of tokens to investors and the core team in October 2023, roughly $200 million worth entered circulation at once, and the price dropped over 15% in the days around the event. Traders often watch unlock calendars, available on sites like Token Unlocks, to anticipate these supply shocks before they happen.