5 Token Unlocks to Watch Next Week

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As the crypto market continues to evolve, token unlocks remain a critical event for investors and ecosystem participants. These scheduled releases introduce previously locked tokens—often allocated to team members, investors, advisors, or ecosystem funds—into circulation. While essential for funding development and rewarding stakeholders, large unlocks can influence price dynamics due to potential selling pressure.

Next week brings several significant token unlocks across major blockchain projects. Below is a detailed breakdown of the five most notable ones, including timing, volume, and implications for each ecosystem.

Immutable (IMX): Scaling Ethereum’s NFT Infrastructure

Immutable stands out as a leading Layer-2 scaling solution tailored for NFTs on Ethereum. By leveraging zk-rollup technology, it enables fast, low-cost transactions while maintaining Ethereum-level security—making it a go-to platform for NFT gaming and digital asset marketplaces.

The upcoming unlock will release 24.52 million IMX tokens, representing about 1.5% of the current circulating supply. These tokens are designated to support ongoing project development and ecosystem expansion, including grants for game developers and infrastructure upgrades.

👉 Discover how Layer-2 ecosystems are shaping the future of blockchain gaming.

Although this unlock isn’t among the largest in absolute terms, its timing could coincide with increased market activity around NFT launches or partnerships. Investors should monitor trading volume and whale movements in the days following the release.

Optimism (OP): Powering Ethereum’s Scalability Vision

Optimism is one of the most established Layer-2 networks using optimistic rollups to scale Ethereum. Its native OP token plays a central role in decentralized governance, allowing holders to vote on protocol upgrades, funding allocations, and strategic direction.

On November 30, over 31 million OP tokens will enter circulation—approximately 2.5% of the current supply. According to Tokenomist, these tokens are allocated to core contributors and early investors who supported the project during its formative stages.

This unlock highlights Optimism's long-term commitment to decentralization by gradually releasing tokens to key stakeholders. However, given past trends where large unlocks preceded short-term price dips, traders may want to prepare for possible volatility.

Projects built on Optimism—such as Perennial, Lyra, and Vertex—have seen growing adoption, which could help absorb some of the new supply. Continued innovation in the OP Stack ecosystem may also mitigate negative sentiment.

1inch (1INCH): Aggregating Liquidity Across Decentralized Exchanges

The 1inch Network is a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator that scans multiple liquidity sources across blockchains to deliver optimal trade execution. By minimizing slippage and reducing fees, it enhances efficiency for both retail and institutional traders.

Next week, nearly 99 million 1INCH tokens will be unlocked—about 7.8% of the current circulating supply. These tokens are allocated to developers, early investors, and venture capital funds involved in the project’s growth.

While this is one of the largest unlocks of the week, the impact may be softened by 1inch’s diversified use cases, including staking rewards and governance participation. Additionally, the team has consistently focused on sustainable tokenomics and ecosystem incentives.

👉 Learn how DEX aggregators are redefining crypto trading efficiency.

Still, given the size of this release, market watchers should keep an eye on wallet movements and exchange inflows in the days following the unlock.

Sui (SUI): A High-Performance Layer-1 Blockchain

Sui is a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain developed by Mysten Labs, designed for high throughput and low-latency applications. Built with the Move programming language and using a unique object-centric data model, Sui excels in supporting complex on-chain games, DeFi protocols, and social applications.

On December 1, 64.19 million SUI tokens will be released—approximately 2.3% of the current supply. Recipients include participants from Series A and B funding rounds, community reserves, and the Mysten Labs treasury.

This unlock underscores Sui’s progress toward broader decentralization and ecosystem funding. Recent developments—including integrations with major wallets and new developer grants—suggest growing momentum that could help absorb incoming supply.

With increasing interest in high-speed blockchains capable of handling real-time applications, Sui remains one of the most watched emerging platforms in 2025.

ZetaChain (ZETA): Enabling True Cross-Chain Interoperability

ZetaChain is a decentralized blockchain platform focused on seamless cross-chain communication without requiring wrapped assets or bridges. It supports smart contracts that can interact directly with multiple blockchains—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Smart Chain—enabling unified messaging and token transfers.

The December 1 unlock will release nearly 54 million ZETA tokens, roughly 10.4% of the current circulating supply. Funds will support various initiatives: user growth programs, ecosystem development grants, core contributor rewards, advisory compensation, and liquidity incentives.

This relatively large percentage increase in supply warrants attention. However, ZetaChain’s unique omnichain architecture continues to attract developer interest, particularly for projects aiming to build chain-agnostic applications.

Given its ambitious vision and growing partner network, ZetaChain may be well-positioned to utilize these newly unlocked tokens effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a token unlock?
A: A token unlock refers to the release of previously restricted tokens according to a project’s vesting schedule. These tokens are typically allocated to team members, investors, advisors, or ecosystem funds.

Q: Why do token unlocks matter?
A: Large unlocks can increase selling pressure if recipients decide to sell their tokens immediately. This may lead to short-term price volatility or downward trends.

Q: Can token unlocks be bullish?
A: Yes—while often viewed negatively, unlocks can also signal confidence when used for ecosystem growth, development funding, or community incentives.

Q: How can I track upcoming token unlocks?
A: Platforms like Tokenomist provide detailed calendars showing unlock dates, volumes, and recipient categories across major crypto projects.

Q: Should I sell before a major unlock?
A: Not necessarily. Market reactions vary. Some projects absorb unlocks smoothly due to strong fundamentals or positive news cycles. Always conduct independent research before making decisions.

Q: Are all token unlocks risky?
A: No—gradual, predictable unlocks are part of healthy tokenomics. Sudden “cliff” unlocks with large percentages pose higher risks than staggered releases.

Other notable unlocks next week include Cardano (ADA), Ethena (ENA), and dYdX (DYDX), collectively releasing over $540 million worth of tokens. While not covered in detail here, these events further underscore the importance of monitoring supply dynamics across the crypto landscape.

👉 Stay ahead of market-moving events with real-time data and analytics tools.

Understanding token unlock schedules allows investors to make informed decisions aligned with macro-level trends and project-specific developments. As always, combining fundamental analysis with technical indicators offers the best approach to navigating volatile markets.

By staying informed about these key events—and leveraging reliable platforms—you can better position yourself within the rapidly evolving world of decentralized finance and blockchain innovation.