Token Unlock & Treasury Analysis
Overview
Track token vesting schedules, upcoming unlock events, and project treasury holdings to forecast sell pressure and assess project sustainability. Token unlocks are one of the most predictable and high-impact supply-side events in crypto — large unlocks consistently create short-term selling pressure.
Core Concepts
1. Token Distribution Taxonomy
Standard allocation categories:
| Category | Typical % | Lock Period | Vesting | Sell Pressure Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team / Founders | 15-25% | 12-24 months cliff | 2-4 year linear | High (sell to fund lifestyle / diversify) |
| Investors (Seed) | 5-15% | 6-12 months cliff | 1-2 year linear | Very high (VC fund lifecycle: must return capital) |
| Investors (Series A+) | 10-20% | 6-12 months cliff | 1-2 year linear | Very high |
| Ecosystem / Community | 20-40% | Variable | Ongoing emissions | Medium (depends on incentive design) |
| Treasury / Foundation | 10-20% | None (discretionary) | DAO-governed | Low-medium (depends on governance) |
| Public Sale / Airdrop | 5-15% | None | Immediately liquid | Initial dump, then stabil… |