7 Crypto Projects Unlock Millions in Tokens This Week
Seven crypto projects are preparing major token unlocks worth millions of dollars, and the market is watching closely to see whether part of the newly released supply will be sold.
Summary:
- Seven projects are unlocking new token supply this week.
- PYTH leads with the largest unlock.
- The size relative to market capitalization is key.
- Most unlocks are scheduled for May 20.
This week, the crypto market is expecting seven major token unlocks worth a total of $180 million. These are pre-planned events in which previously locked tokens become available for transfer, use, or sale.
Such unlocks often put projects under pressure because they increase the amount of tokens that can enter free circulation within a short period of time.
Most crypto projects do not release their entire token supply at launch. Some of the tokens begin trading immediately, while the rest are locked according to a predetermined schedule.
They are then gradually released over months or years to early investors, the project team, ecosystem development funds, and partnership programs.
An unlock is the moment when a certain amount of tokens moves from a locked contract into wallets that can freely sell, hold, or use them.
Why projects lock tokens
The main goal is to avoid massive selling immediately after the project launches.
Early investors and project teams often receive tokens at much lower prices before the public launch. If the entire amount were unlocked at once, many of these participants could quickly sell their positions, realize profits, and create serious downward pressure on the price.
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That is why most crypto projects use so-called vesting schedules – predefined periods during which tokens are gradually unlocked.
There is often also a “cliff” period – an initial stage during which no tokens are released at all. After that, gradual monthly or quarterly unlocks begin.
Why not every unlock has the same impact
Unlocking is an automatic process. The real market impact, however, mainly depends on who receives the tokens.
An unlock allocated to an ecosystem development fund usually means the new supply will enter circulation more slowly through grants, partnerships, or operational expenses.
The situation is different with early investors. They often purchased the tokens at much lower prices, which means they have a greater incentive to sell immediately after the unlock.
That is why the market watches not only the value of the unlock, but also its ratio to the project’s market capitalization.
A small number of tokens relative to a large market cap is usually absorbed more easily. But when the new supply represents a large percentage of the project’s total liquidity, the risk of downward pressure on the price becomes significantly more serious.
PYTH leads the rankings
According to data from CryptoRank, between May 18 and May 24 there will be seven major unlocks involving PYTH, ZRO, ESPORTS, KAITO, PYBOBO, GWEI, and YZY.
The biggest event is expected to come from PYTH. The project will unlock tokens worth around $90.74 million on May 20. This represents approximately 37% of the project’s market capitalization of about $244.93 million. This single unlock alone accounts for more than half of the total new supply entering the market this week.
This is where the most important distinction comes in – absolute value does not always show the real pressure on the market.
For example, ESPORTS is unlocking tokens equal to 29% of its market capitalization, while PYBOBO is unlocking 21.8%.
Although the dollar amounts are smaller, the pressure on price could be greater because of the size relative to the projects themselves.
For ZRO, the picture appears more moderate. Its unlock will be worth $32.63 million, representing 10.2% of market capitalization. KAITO also remains in a more manageable zone at 7.29%.
The information presented in this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or trading advice. Coinspress.com does not promote or advocate for any particular investment strategy, asset, or cryptocurrency project. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and unpredictable – always perform your own research and seek guidance from a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at CoinsPress
Kosta has reported on cryptocurrency markets and blockchain infrastructure since 2020, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in the crypto industry built through daily tracking of markets, trends, and emerging blockchain developments. Specializing in Bitcoin on-chain analysis, institutional ETF flows, and digital asset price action, his work has been cited by other news agencies and consistently covers market developments with a focus on data-driven reporting across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Over the years, Kosta has contributed to multiple crypto media outlets in different regions, authoring over 6,000 articles across the sector. His reporting spans cryptocurrency markets and the broader fintech industry, tracking not only price action but also the technological and regulatory forces shaping the ecosystem. To support his analysis, Kosta actively leverages on-chain data and metrics from leading platforms such as Santiment, Glassnode, and CryptoQuant, enabling deeper, evidence-based market insights. He believes in the power of transparency and the data that underpins the blockchain ecosystem. His academic background in Marketing Management from Denmark further complements his analytical approach, adding a strong understanding of communication strategy and content positioning to his work.
