The cryptocurrency market is bracing for a significant influx of tokens in September 2025, with approximately $4.5 billion worth of vested tokens scheduled to be unlocked. These unlocks represent a key liquidity event that traders closely monitor, as they can introduce short-term volatility. The vested tokens will become available to investors, project teams, and other stakeholders as their vesting agreements expire.
Token unlocks can be categorized into two main types: cliff unlocks and linear unlocks. Cliff unlocks involve a one-time release of tokens at the end of a lockup period. These unlocks often have a more pronounced impact on the market due to the sudden increase in supply. Linear unlocks, on the other hand, distribute tokens gradually over time, which helps to mitigate the impact on the supply. Of the $4.5 billion in tokens to be unlocked in September, around $1.17 billion will come from cliff unlocks, while $3.36 billion will be released through linear unlocks.
Several major cryptocurrency projects are slated to unlock substantial amounts of tokens in September. Sui leads the pack with over $153 million in tokens scheduled for release. Fasttoken (FTN) follows with $90 million in tokens to be added to the supply. Aptos and Arbitrum will unlock almost $50 million and $48 million worth of tokens, respectively. Other notable unlocks include Starknet ($16.85 million), Sei ($16.49 million), ZK ($10.7 million), and Immutable ($13.4 million).
The potential impact of these unlocks on the market varies depending on the project and the unlock structure. For instance, TRUMP, the token tied to Donald Trump's political brand, is set to unlock 6.83% of its total supply, which is valued at $178.67 million, in a single cliff vesting event. This type of unlock poses acute liquidity risks, as historical data indicates that TRUMP's price is highly sensitive to such events, with sharp sell-offs often following prior unlocks. Similarly, SVL's $151.34 million unlock (12.25% of its supply) could create a cascading effect as holders may liquidate early to avoid macroeconomic uncertainty.
In contrast, blue-chip assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL) face minimal percentage unlock risks of 0.07% and 0.36%, respectively. These tokens adhere to linear vesting schedules, which release tokens gradually, minimizing the risk of sudden supply shocks.
Traders can employ various strategies to navigate the potential volatility surrounding the September unlocks. For tokens like TRUMP and SVL, short-term traders can position themselves for volatility by entering options or futures contracts ahead of the unlock peak. Buying put options on TRUMP as the unlock nears could hedge against a potential sell-off. Long-term holders of stable assets like BTC and SOL may benefit from dollar-cost averaging, as their minimal unlocks reduce downside risk.
It's also important to consider the broader macroeconomic context. The Federal Reserve's upcoming FOMC meeting could amplify market reactions, particularly for tokens like TRUMP and SVL, where volatility is more likely. Investors and traders should monitor on-chain flow indicators, such as vested token movements and exchange inflows, to better anticipate potential price movements and determine whether unlocked tokens translate into immediate sell pressure.
In addition to the larger unlocks, smaller projects are also preparing for token releases in September. World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi project, will make its native WLFI token tradable on September 1. At launch, 20% of the total token supply will be unlocked and available for eligible participants to claim. The remaining 80% will stay locked until a future community governance vote determines its release schedule.
