The new trading week opens with a familiar pressure point for altcoins: supply expansion.
After several sessions of muted price action across the broader market, attention is shifting away from short-term price moves and toward token economics. A large group of projects is set to release previously locked tokens over the coming days, a development that often reshapes short-term sentiment regardless of broader market direction.
Key Takeaways
A broad wave of token unlocks will expand altcoin supply throughout the week.
Several projects face unlocks exceeding 5% of circulating supply, increasing volatility risk.
Market conditions remain fragile, making supply events more influential than usual.
While last week offered little relief for most altcoins, the upcoming unlocks introduce a fresh variable that traders and investors are likely to factor into positioning.
Supply Expansion Takes Center Stage
Rather than a single dominant unlock, the week is characterized by breadth. Dozens of projects will see new tokens enter circulation, with several releases exceeding 5% of current circulating supply. That kind of expansion can materially affect liquidity dynamics, especially in a market where demand remains cautious.
Mid-cap and smaller-cap tokens dominate the calendar, but a handful of larger names also stand out due to the absolute dollar value of their unlocks. In total, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of tokens will become transferable before the week is over.
The Most Notable Unlock Events
Early in the week, multiple projects kick things off almost simultaneously, setting a busy tone from the start. As the days progress, unlock sizes increase, peaking around midweek before tapering off toward the weekend.
The largest single release comes from GateToken, with more than $68 million worth of tokens scheduled to unlock – one of the most significant supply increases seen in recent weeks. Humanity, Plasma, Jupiter, and Grass also feature prominently due to the size of their releases relative to market capitalization.
Smaller but higher-percentage unlocks, such as those for OVERTAKE, Sahara AI, Space ID, and Avail, may attract just as much attention, as high-percentage releases often have a disproportionate impact on short-term price behavior.
Condensed Unlock Overview (UTC+3)
Early week: 0G, Space ID, Zora, Meteora, Avail
Midweek concentration: Humanity, Plasma, Venom, ChainOpera AI, Irys, OVERTAKE
Large-cap focus: GateToken (Dec 26), Jupiter and Grass (Dec 28)
Weekend tail end: Axelar, Sign, Maverick Protocol, Open Campus
Rather than a single day dominating supply changes, the unlock pressure is spread across the entire week, increasing the likelihood of prolonged volatility rather than a one-off reaction.
Why This Week Matters for Altcoins
Token unlocks do not automatically lead to selling, but they expand optionality. Early investors, team members, and ecosystem participants gain the ability to move assets that were previously illiquid. In stronger markets, this is often absorbed smoothly. In weaker conditions, it can weigh on prices even without aggressive selling.
With altcoins already struggling to regain momentum, traders are likely to remain selective, favoring assets with either minimal unlock exposure or strong demand narratives.
As the market heads into the final days of the year, supply dynamics – not headlines – may once again be the deciding factor.
