Major Token Unlocks Coming Up in Jan 2026 (XRP, SUI, XPL & more)

And so December rolled out mostly uneventfully, without any major market hiccups, low volatility and even lower trading volumes are the trend as of right now. But with January kicking in, that means one thing for the cryptocurrency market: the annual supply shock is starting.

Across major ecosystems, billions of dollars worth of tokens are scheduled to unlock from vesting and escrow contracts throughout the month, injecting new liquidity into the market. From the routine billion-token release by Ripple to the colossal, front-loaded tranches from layer-2 giants like Starknet, these scheduled unlocks represent the most predictable, quantifiable supply event in crypto. Investors must pay close attention, as the strategic decisions of early backers in the coming weeks will determine whether this surge in supply leads to a market clearing event or a significant downward pressure on price action.

These are the most notable token unlocks coming up in the next few weeks:

Hyperliquid (HYPE)

9,920,000 tokens (~$251,190,000)
December 29, 2025
Largest single-tranche cliff unlock for core contributors; primary distribution event occurs right before January.
High volatility/selling pressure risk if allocations hit exchanges quickly; monitor early January exchange inflows.

Kamino Finance (KMNO)

229,170,000 tokens (~$11,800,000)
December 30, 2025
Major cliff unlock just before January; early January features smaller linear governance vesting.
Localized pressure with the main volatility shock pre-January; expect milder but persistent selling in early January.

Ripple (XRP)

1,000,000,000 tokens (value varies daily)
January 1, 2026
Standard recurring monthly escrow release; historically most of the amount is re-escrowed.
Minimal market impact; predictable and typically priced in—verify re-escrow on-chain after release.

Sui (SUI)

43,690,000 tokens (~$63,400,000)
January 1, 2026
Routine monthly linear unlock per vesting schedule (~1.17% of released supply).
Low to moderate pressure due to recurring nature; watch short-term liquidity and exchange flows.

EigenLayer (EIGEN)

~36,820,000 tokens (~$14,400,000)
January 1, 2026
Large tranche from linear vesting targeting Early Contributor allocation.
Moderate selling pressure given the increase relative to circulating supply; potential dilution and increased sell-side liquidity.

Starknet (STRK)

127,000,000 tokens (~$10,287,000 at ~$0.081)
January 15, 2026
Scheduled mid-month release for core contributors and investors (~4.83% of released supply).
Moderate to high volatility risk; anticipate pre-unlock positioning and potential relief after supply absorption.

Plasma (XPL)

88,890,000 tokens (~$13,778,000 at ~$0.155)
January 25, 2026
Scheduled linear vesting release for investors (~4.33% of released supply).
Moderate selling pressure for a smaller-cap token; potential headwind into the date.

The synchronized supply releases throughout January, particularly the large cliff unlocks from projects like Hyperliquid (HYPE) and the major scheduled distribution for Starknet (STRK), make it clear that the start of 2026 is less about new demand and more about absorbing fresh supply. For the informed investor, these are not events to fear, but rather critical points of data to leverage. By tracking the exact dates and the allocation type (team vs. ecosystem), strategic market participants can anticipate temporary price troughs, hedge risk ahead of the selling pressure, and position themselves to acquire high-conviction tokens at a post-dilution discount. Ultimately, token unlocks are the inevitable cost of a token’s path to full circulation, and successful navigation requires vigilance, precision, and the courage to buy the supply shock when the market overreacts.

If you’re asking yourself: Should I sell? Do I buy the upcoming dips?
I know that for me, the answer is: neither.
I have already exited all my altcoin positions, it’s what I do at the first signs of a bear market, so I have been sitting in stables for nearly two months now. I am not planning to buy the dips, neither do I have alts to sell. I am, in fact, looking into possibly selling some more BTC if we get a nice retest of previous highs around the $90k mark, but if we continue the downtrend, I will just hold on to my long term stash and wait for better market conditions.

☝Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

---

Recommended:

👉 Sign Up for the Crypto Corner Newsletter and get more insight on the crypto markets, new releases and updates, plus my personal choice of coins to trade: https://www.ojjordan.com/crypto-corner

👉 LearnCryptoNow is the go-to place to get valuable resources and learn more about blockchain tech and all things crypto-related: https://www.learncryptonow.com/

👉Brave Browser is my top choice for extra security while browsing online. It is privacy-oriented, web3-enabled and blocks unnecessary cookies and much more: https://brave.com/ojj095

👉Token Metrics is the platform I use for uncovering unknown gems and to monitor my crypto watchlist. They have the most detailed statistics and analysis for all major cryptocurrencies and price predictions to help you find the right coins to trade and the right time to buy/sell – give it a try and get 10% discount: https://bit.ly/token_metrics

---

Want to know how to make money by investing in crypto?
Grab a copy of my best-selling eBook “Learn Crypto” to find out all about the cryptocurrency market, the different blockchains and the “Do”s and “Don’t”s of how to build a successful crypto portfolio. It’s now in its second edition.

Find out more: LearnCryptoNow.com

---

“Crypto Wallets” is a Free eBook to guide you in choosing the right wallet for you. All the popular Hot and Cold Wallets are reviewed in this useful guide, most of which I personally use, or have used in the past. Self-custodial and custodial services too.

Find out more at: https://www.ojjordan.com/crypto

⚠️ DISCLAIMER ⚠️

The information contained in this video is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. The content of this post reflects solely my own opinions. Purchasing cryptocurrencies poses considerable risk of losses.

---

---