This week, from July 21 to 27, 2025, over $27 million in crypto tokens will flood the market as eight projects release locked assets. These unlocks, often directed to founders and private investors, can shake up prices by increasing selling pressure. Below, I break down the top seven unlocks, their potential impact, and how to analyze them using the case of Ronin ($RON) as a practical example. Plus, I’ll highlight other tokens to keep an eye on and share strategies to assess market risks.
Why Token Unlocks Matter
Token unlocks introduce new supply to the market, often handed to insiders like founders or early investors. If these recipients sell, prices can dip, especially in low-liquidity markets or during bearish trends. But not every unlock spells doom—smart analysis can help you anticipate the real impact. Let’s dive into the week’s biggest unlocks.
Top 7 Token Unlocks to Watch
1. Avail ($AVAIL) – $19.23M Unlock on July 23
Avail will release 969.6 million tokens, equating to 9.22% of its total supply and 38.1% of its current market cap. Valued at $19.23 million, these tokens go to founders and private investors. With such a large percentage of the market cap involved, expect potential volatility if selling begins.
2. Ronin ($RON) – $18.99M Unlock on July 27
Ronin will unlock 31.84 million tokens (3.18% of supply), worth $18.99 million, or 4.83% of its market cap. With 62.9% of tokens already circulating, this influx could add pressure. I’ll analyze this case in detail below to show how to gauge its impact.
3. Plume Network ($PLUME) – $12.46M Unlock on July 21
Plume will release 108.34 million tokens (1.08% of supply), valued at $12.46 million. Aimed at private investors, this unlock could influence price if sold off quickly, though its smaller scale may limit broader market effects.
4. AltLayer ($ALT) – $9.07M Unlock on July 25
AltLayer’s unlock of 240.8 million tokens (2.41% of supply) is worth $9.07 million. Directed to founders and investors, this release could spark short-term selling, particularly if market sentiment is weak.
5. Sahara AI ($SAHARA) – $7.27M Unlock on July 26
Sahara AI will free up 84.29 million tokens (0.84% of supply), valued at $7.27 million, for its founding team and early backers. The modest percentage suggests a lighter impact, but low liquidity could amplify price swings.
6. Hyperlane ($HYPER) – $4.99M Unlock on July 22
Hyperlane’s 14.03 million token unlock (1.75% of supply) represents 8.01% of its $283 million diluted market cap. This $4.99 million release could pressure prices, especially in a sideways market.
7. Humanity Protocol ($H) – $4.96M Unlock on July 25
The Humanity Protocol will unlock 91.67 million tokens (0.92% of supply), worth $4.96 million, for founders and investors. While smaller in scale, it’s worth monitoring for potential insider selling.
Other Tokens to Monitor
Beyond the top seven, several smaller unlocks deserve attention, especially for tokens with low liquidity or recent price spikes:
- DeLoreanLabs ($DMC) – July 21 – Private investors
- M2Exchange ($MMX) – July 22 – Private investors
- Hooked Protocol ($HOOK) – July 23 – Founders and investors
- KarratCoin ($KARRAT) – July 23 – Founders and investors
- Venom Foundation ($VENOM) – July 25 – Founders
- Blast ($BLAST) – July 26 – Founders and investors
These unlocks may not carry massive dollar values, but they could still move prices in less liquid markets. Watch for unusual trading volume or sudden price drops.
How to Analyze a Token Unlock: The $RON Case Study
To understand a token unlock’s potential impact, let’s break down Ronin’s ($RON) upcoming release on July 27 using publicly available data.
Key Metrics for $RON Unlock
- Tokens Unlocked: 31.84 million
- Percentage of Total Supply: 3.18%
- Value of Unlock: $18.99 million
- Current Market Cap: $392.9 million
- Daily Trading Volume (24h): $7.56 million
- Current Price: $0.6003
Step 1: Compare Unlock Value to Trading Volume
The unlock’s $18.99 million value is over 2.5 times the daily trading volume of $7.56 million. If all tokens hit the market at once, it could take nearly three days of normal trading to absorb the sell-off. This mismatch signals potential price pressure, especially in a neutral or bearish market.
Step 2: Assess Supply Impact
While 3.18% of the total supply seems small, 62.9% of $RON’s tokens are already circulating. This unlock adds roughly 5% to the circulating supply, which could weigh on the price if investor confidence is shaky.
Step 3: Check Price Trends
Recent data shows $RON has been recovering from a multi-month downtrend. If this unlock coincides with a pump in price, it could be a setup for insiders to sell at a peak, trapping retail buyers. Always cross-reference price charts with unlock schedules.
Step 4: Evaluate Market Sentiment
If the broader crypto market is flat or declining, this unlock could amplify downward pressure. Conversely, a strong bullish trend might absorb the new supply with minimal disruption. Check platforms like X for real-time sentiment around $RON.
Strategies to Navigate Token Unlocks
- Monitor Trading Volume: Low-volume tokens are more vulnerable to price swings. Compare the unlock value to daily volume to gauge absorption capacity.
- Track Price History: Recent pumps before an unlock could signal insider exits. Use daily or weekly charts to spot patterns.
- Check Recipient Behavior: Founders and investors often sell portions of their allocations. Look for historical data on similar unlocks for the project.
- Diversify Your Watchlist: Don’t focus only on big unlocks. Smaller tokens like $DMC or $VENOM can move sharply if liquidity is thin.
- Stay Timeless in Your Approach: Token unlocks are a recurring event in crypto. Build a repeatable system to analyze them, focusing on supply, volume, and market context.
Conclusion: Stay Sharp, Stay Informed
This week’s $27 million in token unlocks could stir volatility across projects like Avail, Ronin, and Plume. By understanding the mechanics—comparing unlock values to trading volume, assessing supply changes, and tracking price trends—you can make smarter decisions. Keep an eye on smaller unlocks like $HOOK or $BLAST, as they can surprise in low-liquidity markets. What’s your strategy for navigating these unlocks? Are you watching any specific tokens this week?
