Token Unlocks Next Week: Celestia (TIA), Optimism (OP), Sui (SUI), Immutable (IMX), ZetaChain (ZETA)

Token unlock involves releasing tokens that were previously blocked under fundraising terms. Projects carefully schedule these releases to avoid market pressure and prevent a drop in token prices.

Major crypto token unlocks to watch next week: Celestia, Optimism, Sui, Immutable, ZetaChain

Five major token unlocks are scheduled for next week, including Celestia (TIA), Optimism (OP), Sui (SUI), Immutable (IMX), and ZetaChain (ZETA). These unlocks will release a combined total of over 600 million tokens into the market.

Here's a closer look at each unlock:

Celestia (TIA)

Modular data availability network Celestia will unlock 175.56 million TIA tokens on October 30. These tokens, valued at $920 million, will be allocated to early backers and initial core contributors. The massive unlock has sparked concerns among some in the crypto community about potential selling pressure on TIA.

Optimism (OP)

Layer-2 scaling solution Optimism will increase its circulating supply by 31.34 million OP on October 31. The project will allocate these tokens to core contributors and investors, according to Tokenomist (formerly TokenUnlocks). The OP token is used for governance, allowing holders to vote on proposals and decisions that shape the network's development and management.

Sui (SUI)

High-performance Layer-1 blockchain Sui will unlock a large portion of tokens set aside for Series A and B participants, community reserve, and the Mysten Labs treasury on November 1. The total amount of tokens to be released is not disclosed, but it will be a significant addition to the circulating supply of SUI. The token is used for governance, enabling holders to vote on important proposals and help shape the platform's future.

Immutable (IMX)

Layer-2 solution for scaling NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain Immutable will see 32.47 million IMX tokens enter the circulating supply on November 1. The newly unlocked coins will be allocated to the development of the project and the broader Immutable ecosystem. IMX holders can participate in the governance of the protocol and influence decisions regarding the use of the ecosystem fund.

ZetaChain (ZETA)

Decentralized blockchain platform ZetaChain will unlock nearly 54 million ZETA tokens on November 1. The newly released coins will be allocated across several initiatives, including a user growth pool, an ecosystem growth fund, support for core contributors and advisory roles, and liquidity incentives. ZETA holders can participate in the governance of the protocol and vote on proposals related to these initiatives.

Smaller cliff unlocks next week will include dYdX (DYDX), Galxe (GAL), Cardano (ADA), and Ethena (ENA), among others, with a combined value surpassing $1.24 billion.

Many traders view token unlocks as a bearish event due to the potential increase in selling pressure as more tokens become available. However, a well-structured token unlock schedule can support a project's long-term success. These schedules are usually tied to key milestones and development goals, which can motivate the team, engage the community, and drive ecosystem growth.