The crypto market is bracing for major token unlocks over the next seven days, which could lead to more volatility ahead.
According to data from Tokenomist, the crypto space will see a little over $428 million in token unlocks between Mar. 18 and 24.
Tokenomist has indicated the upcoming token unlock schedule, which will include a mix of cliff unlocks and linear releases. Cliff unlocks will involve large, one-time token releases, while linear unlocks will gradually distribute tokens over the week.
Notably, the most significant token unlock will be Polyhedra Network (ZKJ), which is set to release 15.53 million ZKJ tokens, approximately 25.72% of its circulating supply, on Mar. 19 at 12 AM UTC.
A day earlier, Fasttoken will release 20 million FTN tokens worth $79.8 million, accounting for 4.6% of its total supply, while artificial intelligence-focused QuantixAI will see roughly $41.71 million worth of QAI tokens unlocked the same day.
Other projects include Metars Genesis, which will release 10 million MRS tokens at nearly $100 million, Mantra’s 5 million OM unlock worth $34.5 million, and Melania Meme, with 26.25 million tokens worth $17.9 million unlocked in the period.
Meanwhile, high-profile projects that would face major linear unlocks include Solana (SOL), Worldcoin (WLD), Celestia (TIA), Mantra (OM), and Dogecoin (DOGE) which would unload $8.58 million, $4.55 million, $3.4 million, $2.61 million and $2.38 million worth of tokens daily.
While these unlocks help control the release of new tokens into circulation, preventing massive sell-offs from early investors or project teams, the process often puts short-term pressure on prices.
As crypto.news previously reported, Solana (SOL) dropped 9% to its lowest level since mid-October as investors offloaded holdings ahead of the Mar. 1 unlock of 11.2 million SOL from the FTX bankruptcy estate.
At the time of writing, SOL was down 6%; TIA, WLD, and DOGE were also slipping, while OM bucked the trend with a 4.7% gain.
The upcoming token unlocks come at a time when broader market jitters are already in play. Escalating US-China trade tensions, driven by Trump’s latest tariffs, have raised fears of a global slowdown, making investors wary of risk assets like crypto.
On top of that, the Fed’s hawkish stance on interest rates amid inflation concerns is adding more uncertainty.
When writing, the total crypto market capitalization had dropped over 3% to $2.81 trillion over the past 24 hours.
