A wave of token unlocks is about to hit the crypto market, with Ripple (XRP) leading the pack by unlocking a massive 1 billion XRP tokens. But that’s not all—projects like Optimism (OP), Sui (SUI), and ZetaChain (ZETA) are also preparing to release significant token volumes between May 26 and June 1, 2025.
These unlocks could introduce short-term price swings, and it's important to understand their potential market impact.
What’s Unlocking This Week?
Here’s a rundown of the most important unlocks you need to know about:
Optimism (OP) – Unlocking on May 31, 2025
Tokens Unlocking: 31.34 million OPEstimated Value: ~$26 millionPercentage of Supply: Around 1.8%Context: This unlock is part of Optimism's monthly vesting schedule, primarily for early investors or team members.Market Impact:With a market cap near $1.4 billion, the unlock is relatively small.Past unlocks have had little effect, suggesting this one might also be absorbed smoothly.Some mild volatility is possible if recipients sell quickly, but it’s likely short-lived.
Ripple (XRP) – Unlocking on June 1, 2025
Tokens Unlocking: 1.00 billion XRPEstimated Value: ~$2.3 billionPercentage of Supply: Approximately 2%Context: This is Ripple’s regular monthly escrow release. It's the largest unlock of the week, and one of the biggest in 2025.What Usually Happens:Ripple often re-locks 60–70% of the tokens.Only about 30–40% actually enters circulation, reducing the real market impact.Market Impact:Potential for short-term price fluctuations due to sheer volume.But thanks to Ripple’s re-locking practice, the sell pressure may be limited.Traders may tread cautiously, but any drop could be temporary.
Sui (SUI) – Unlocking on June 1, 2025
Tokens Unlocking: 44 million SUIEstimated Value: ~$170 millionPercentage of Supply: Around 1.32%Context: This is a planned unlock as part of Sui’s vesting schedule and follows a major unlock in May.Market Impact:The unlock equals 2–3 days’ worth of SUI trading volume, which could influence the price.However, SUI rallied in May despite a similar unlock, suggesting much of this may already be priced in.If market sentiment remains positive, any price dip could be short-lived.
ZetaChain (ZETA) – Unlocking on June 1, 2025
Tokens Unlocking: 44.26 million ZETAEstimated Value: ~$11–12 millionPercentage of Supply: A significant 5.34%Context: ZetaChain is a mid-cap project with a smaller trading volume and a less liquid market.Market Impact:This is the highest percentage unlock of the week, which could be a red flag.Given its shallow liquidity, the price may be more sensitive to this supply increase.Traders should watch closely; if many of these tokens hit exchanges, the price could dip sharply.
Why This Matters
Token unlocks can influence price, especially when large amounts of tokens are suddenly made available for trading. These events often cause:
Short-term volatility as traders react to new supply.Price dips if large holders choose to sell quickly.Market overreactions, especially in tokens with less liquidity.
However, many of these unlocks are pre-scheduled and well-known, meaning some of the impact may already be factored into current prices.
Final Thoughts
Ripple’s $2.3B unlock is the one to watch, but remember, not all of it hits the market.ZetaChain’s high-percentage unlock could make waves in its niche corner of crypto.Optimism and Sui are expected to handle their unlocks with minimal disruption, unless sentiment turns sour.
If you're an investor or trader, mark your calendar. These unlocks might offer opportunities or risks, depending on how the market reacts.
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📢Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your research before making investment decisions.