We often mention in our articles that the crypto market is highly volatile and influenced by many factors. In recent months, we’ve witnessed how Trump’s trade war with China has shaken the global economy. This situation also affected the crypto world. Aside from external factors, specific project-related information can significantly impact a token’s price, especially events involving unlocking the token supply. Token unlock by default tends to drive the price down, although there have been exceptions. One thing is sure: token unlocks always bring volatility. That’s why we’ll highlight below the projects with the largest unlocks scheduled for May 2025.
1. Pyth Network (PYTH)
We must begin the story of the biggest token unlocks in May 2025 with PYTH Network. Simply, the percentage of tokens being unlocked is truly impressive. Pyth Network is a decentralized oracle protocol that enables the transfer of real-world (off-chain) data to blockchain networks (on-chain)—primarily price data for markets like cryptocurrencies, stocks, indices, and other financial instruments.
According to CoinMarketCap, the project ranks 110th by total market capitalization at the time of writing. The Token price is currently $0.1470, far below its all-time high of $1.15 in March 2024. Currently, 43.33% of the total supply is unlocked, but on May 20, this figure will jump to 71.67%. The largest share of the newly unlocked tokens will go to data providers and private sale participants. We can expect the token’s price to drop during that period.
2. Aptos (APT)
Another token whose May unlock could impact its price is Aptos. Aptos (APT) is a layer-1 blockchain based on the Move programming language developed by former Meta (Facebook) team members. It focuses on speed, scalability, and security and aims to support the mass adoption of Web3 applications. Its token is used for transaction fees, staking, and network governance.
According to the preset unlock schedule, the project will release 11,300,000 new tokens on May 12. This will represent 1.82% of the total supply, worth approximately $61,000,000 at the current token price. This unlock follows a linear schedule and will continue in the same manner until October 2026. This means it may not significantly impact the cost, primarily since the new tokens entering circulation will be evenly distributed. Still, it’s worth watching, as moments like this may offer an opportunity to join a high-quality project at a slightly discounted price.
3. Arbitrum (ARB)
Arbitrum is a layer-2 solution for the Ethereum network that uses optimistic rollup technology to enable faster and cheaper transactions. It provides scalability without compromising security. The ARB token is used for protocol governance via the Arbitrum DAO, while transaction fees are paid in ETH, not ARB.
As a token ranked within the top 100 crypto projects by market cap, specifically in 52nd place, its unlock schedule draws considerable investor attention. That’s why we’ve included it on our list, with the next unlock event scheduled for May 16, 2025. Like Aptos, this is part of a regular monthly unlocking process, releasing 1.95% of the supply, or 92,650,000 tokens, with a total market value of about $30,000,000. Currently, 41.70% of ARB tokens are unlocked, so there’s still a long way to go before full circulation. However, the linear unlock schedule is a significant advantage, as it avoids a sudden token dump that could crash the price, unlike what we might see in May with Pyth Network.
Other Notable Tokens
In the previous section, we highlighted three projects whose token unlocks may significantly affect their price. Below, we’ll cover several additional projects that could face a similar fate. Some of these are less well-known, so we didn’t dedicate whole sections to them:
- WhiteBIT Coin (WBT): On May 13, 27.4% of tokens will be unlocked, totaling $1.16 billion in value, making it one of the most significant unlock events this month. Given the scale, a major price drop is likely.
- Solayer (LAYER): On May 11, 27,000,000 tokens will be unlocked—an additional 12.87% of the supply—bringing total circulation to just over 34%. This is the first unlock since the token’s launch, so heightened volatility is expected.
- ApeCoin (APE): Yuga Labs ecosystem members know that the 17th of each month brings an unlock event. In May, 15,600,000 new tokens (1.95%) will enter circulation, worth around $8.42 million.
We’ve tried to highlight the most important unlocks for May 2025. However, many other projects will also release tokens into the market during this period. That’s why we urge our readers to research any project they’re investing in and check whether major unlock events are scheduled. Crypto investing is highly challenging, and attention to detail is crucial—otherwise, you’re just relying on luck.
Share Our Content on Social Networks:
FAQ
How can investors prepare for token unlock events?
The best way to prepare for token unlocks is by closely monitoring project announcements and events. It’s also crucial to diversify your portfolio to reduce exposure to volatility. Strategies like setting stop-loss orders, investing in more stable tokens, or selling some of your holdings can help mitigate potential losses.
How to know when a large number of tokens will be unlocked?
Success in crypto investing relies on researching the projects you invest in, and the same goes for tracking token unlock schedules. This information is usually available in the project’s white paper and on official social media channels. Platforms like TokenUnlocks, CoinMarketCap, and CryptoRank offer updated unlock data.
What happens to tokens after they are unlocked?
Unlocking tokens means they become available for trading. A sudden increase in supply can cause the price to drop, though there have been instances where the opposite happened. Still, a moderate price decline is the more common scenario due to investor concerns over potential volatility.
How does token unlocking affect long-term investments?
Token unlocks typically lead to short-term price drops due to increased supply, which can unsettle long-term holders. However, the market usually stabilizes if the project has strong fundamentals and continues to develop. Investors with long-term belief in a project often use these dips as buying opportunities—hence the importance of investing only in projects you trust.
Can token unlocking be a signal to buy or sell?
Yes, token unlocks can signal a trading opportunity. Some investors may sell beforehand if a significant price drop is expected due to increased supply. Conversely, the price dip can present a chance to buy at a lower value, especially if the project shows strong long-term potential.
