The cryptocurrency market is preparing for a major liquidity wave as $555 million in token unlocks are scheduled for the second week of October. According to data from CoinGecko, these October token unlocks — tokens previously restricted for team members, early investors, or ecosystem incentives — can create ripple effects in prices, making them closely watched by traders and investors alike.
Linear unlocks: A steady stream of tokens
Not all unlocks hit the market at once. According to data from Tokenomist, around $350.72 million will be released gradually through linear unlocks, where tokens are distributed steadily over time. Major projects leading these releases include:
- Solana (SOL): $115.16 million
- Worldcoin (WLD): $46.9 million
- TRUMP: $38.05 million
Other projects seeing incremental releases this week include Avalanche (AVAX), Dogecoin (DOGE), Sui (SUI), and Polkadot (DOT). Linear unlocks typically create less sudden price movement but steadily increase circulating supply, which traders factor into market strategies.
Cliff unlocks: Sudden market impact
In contrast, more than $204 million will be released through one-time “cliff” unlocks. These events can trigger immediate selling pressure as large token amounts hit the market simultaneously. Notable cliff unlocks this week include:
- ATH: $68.06 million (10.32% of total supply)
- Aptos (APT): $61.53 million
- Other projects: LINEA, BABY, BB, HOME, IO, MOVE
Cliff unlocks are particularly noteworthy for traders, as sudden influxes can lead to sharp price swings, especially in highly traded or lower-liquidity tokens.
Why these unlocks matter
Token unlocks can definitely shake up the market in the short term. Still, these unlocks often signal that a project is maturing and its ecosystem is growing. With $555 million in tokens about to hit circulation, investors and analysts are going to be watching trading volumes and price action closely to assess how the market absorbs this influx and to spot any emerging opportunities. It’s a period of heightened attention, no doubt, but it’s also a sign of ongoing development in the crypto space.
