Token Unlock Pressure
Token unlock pressure refers to the anticipated market impact when a large amount of tokens previously locked in vesting contracts becomes available for trading. This event often triggers a surge in sell orders as early recipients seek to realize their gains.
The magnitude of this pressure depends on the percentage of total supply being unlocked and the current market liquidity. Traders often position themselves ahead of these events, sometimes leading to price volatility even before the unlock occurs.
Understanding the unlock schedule is vital for risk management in crypto markets. It is a classic example of supply-side market mechanics affecting price discovery.
Protocols sometimes attempt to stagger unlocks to minimize the impact on market stability.