Crypto: Token Unlocks Could Fall To $3 Billion In August

As the summer heat is in full swing, the crypto market might experience an unexpected cooldown. In August, the value of token unlocks could drop by half to around 3 billion dollars, compared to over 6 billion in July. A sharp decline, certainly, but far from signaling a lasting calm.

Crypto Unlocks Are Decreasing But Still Closely Watched

This 52% drop in unlocks might suggest a welcome pause. However, that would be an oversimplification. Cryptos like Sui, Fasttoken, Aptos, Avalanche and Arbitrum are among the most watched projects for August.

Leading the pack, Sui will unlock $167.62 million worth of tokens starting August 1st. With only 34.5% of its total supply currently in circulation, the event could come with increased selling pressure, especially if early investors decide to take profits.

The potential impact is greater given that the token has a high fully diluted valuation (FDV), meaning its valuation already anticipates the full upcoming token release.

Fasttoken, on the other hand, will unlock $91.6 million in tokens on August 18. Less concerning at first glance, as 94% of the supply is already on the market. But even here, analysts remain cautious: a sudden influx can disrupt balances, even in well-capitalized projects.

Targeted Volatility: Low Float Tokens Under Pressure

While the total amounts unlocked are decreasing overall, certain configurations remain explosive. Low float cryptos, such as Starknet and Kaito, with unlocks of 16 and 29 million dollars respectively, are closely watched. Their shallower market depth amplifies fluctuations, causing sharper reactions both upwards and downwards.

Projects like Aptos, Avalanche, or Arbitrum, with unlocks between 39 and 51 million dollars, could also trigger occasional turbulence. Their mid-month releases often coincide with volatility peaks in secondary markets.

But this general decrease in emissions does not mean prolonged relief. Rather, it is part of a strategic adaptation cycle. As Vincent Kadar, CEO of Polymath, explains, projects are adjusting their unlock schedules based on market signals, regulatory developments, but also on their ability to justify their relevance before flooding the crypto market with liquidity.

The era when each unlock cliff triggered massive panics seems over. According to Kadar, investors are now adopting a more nuanced approach.

They no longer just scrutinize the quantities released. This paradigm shift also reflects a broader willingness to anchor blockchain projects in economic, legal, and institutional reality. Compliance, sustainability, and real adoption are becoming the new guideposts.