The crypto landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with token unlocks playing a crucial role in market dynamics. Next week, 14 projects are scheduled for token releases — among them, Berachain (BERA) and Aethir (ATH) stand out due to their significant unlock volumes, each surpassing 10% of current circulating supply. These events can influence price action, liquidity, and investor sentiment. Let’s dive into the details of the most impactful upcoming unlocks.
Berachain: Major Airdrop Distribution Fuels Ecosystem Growth
Berachain is an innovative Layer 1 blockchain built on the Cosmos SDK and fully EVM-compatible, designed to merge high performance with deep liquidity incentives. What sets Berachain apart is its unique Proof of Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism, which rewards users for providing liquidity rather than just staking — aligning network security with active DeFi participation.
The ecosystem operates on a three-token model:
- BERA: The native gas token used for transaction fees.
- HONEY: A stablecoin pegged to USD, backed by over-collateralized assets.
- BGT: A non-transferable governance token that enables protocol control through veTokenomics.
Upcoming Unlock Details
- Amount Released: 14.02 million BERA
- Estimated Value: ~$87.33 million
- Unlock Type: Fully attributed to airdrop allocations
This release marks Phase 2 of the Berachain airdrop, scheduled for February 10, distributing tokens to two key community segments:
1. Top Yappers & Discord Contributors
Eligibility is determined using a participation index powered by KaitoAI and Cookie3, analyzing engagement levels on X (formerly Twitter) and the Berachain Discord server (specifically the Bong Bear NFT community). Users can check eligibility by connecting their X or Discord accounts via the official airdrop portal.
2. RFB Program Recipients
Over 200 ecosystem projects and community contributors have been selected under Berachain’s Rise from the Basement (RFB) initiative. Recipients must allocate 70% of received tokens toward future mainnet incentives and liquidity programs, ensuring long-term ecosystem sustainability.
With this unlock representing a substantial portion of early community rewards, it signals Berachain’s commitment to decentralized distribution and user-driven growth.
Aethir: Decentralized Cloud Computing Takes Center Stage
Aethir (ATH) is redefining enterprise-grade infrastructure with its decentralized GPU cloud network, offering scalable computing power for AI, gaming, and Web3 applications. By leveraging idle GPU capacity worldwide — including high-end models like NVIDIA H100 and H200 — Aethir delivers cost-efficient, high-performance computing without centralized bottlenecks.
Its technology enables developers and studios to access real-time rendering, machine learning training, and blockchain node hosting at a fraction of traditional cloud costs.
Upcoming Unlock Details
- Amount Released: 684 million ATH
- Estimated Value: ~$27.39 million
- Unlock Type: Cliff unlock — one of the few large single releases in its schedule
Of the total, approximately 630 million ATH (~$24.6 million) will be released in this cliff event — a rare deviation from its otherwise linear vesting structure. This sudden influx may impact short-term supply dynamics, especially given Aethir’s growing adoption in AI and cloud-gaming sectors.
While cliff unlocks often raise concerns about selling pressure, Aethir’s strong partnerships with gaming studios and AI firms suggest underlying demand may absorb much of the new supply. Additionally, ongoing node deployment and staking opportunities provide avenues for token utility and retention.
The Sandbox: Final Token Release Marks Full Circulation Era
As one of the pioneers in the metaverse and play-to-earn gaming space, The Sandbox has steadily built a vibrant ecosystem where creators mint voxel-based assets and design interactive experiences on Ethereum.
With its upcoming unlock, SAND tokens will enter full circulation, marking a pivotal moment in the project’s maturity.
Upcoming Unlock Details
- Amount Released: 205 million SAND
- Estimated Value: ~$15.45 million
- Unlock Type: Final scheduled release
This last batch includes:
- 96.84 million SAND from company reserves (~$38.11 million)
- 71.25 million SAND allocated to team members (~$28.04 million)
- 37.5 million SAND for advisors (~$14.76 million)
Though these figures appear large, they represent previously committed allocations rather than new supply entering the market unexpectedly. Given The Sandbox’s established presence — including collaborations with major brands like Snoop Dogg, Adidas, and Warner Music — the ecosystem is well-prepared to handle increased circulation.
More importantly, SAND’s utility remains robust across land ownership, governance, and in-game transactions, supporting continued demand even as supply reaches maximum levels.
Key Impacts of Large Token Unlocks
Token unlocks are double-edged swords: they can incentivize early supporters and fund ecosystem development but also introduce sell pressure if recipients cash out immediately.
What to Watch For:
- Market Reaction: Sharp price movements often follow large unlocks, especially if sentiment is bearish.
- Liquidity Shifts: Increased circulating supply affects trading volume and depth on exchanges.
- Staking & Utility Adoption: Projects with strong use cases tend to retain value post-unlock as users stake or spend tokens.
For investors, tracking unlock schedules helps anticipate volatility and make informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are BERA and ATH considered high-impact unlocks?
A: Both tokens are releasing more than 10% of their current circulating supply in a single event. Given their active ecosystems — especially in DeFi (BERA) and AI/cloud computing (ATH) — such large unlocks can significantly affect market dynamics and investor behavior.
Q: Does The Sandbox’s final unlock mean no more SAND will be created?
A: Yes. After this release, all initially allocated SAND tokens will be in circulation. No new tokens will be minted unless approved via community governance, making this a milestone toward full decentralization.
Q: How can I check if I’m eligible for Berachain’s airdrop?
A: Visit the official Berachain airdrop portal, connect your X (Twitter) or Discord account, and verify your eligibility based on your engagement history within the community platforms.
Q: Are cliff unlocks riskier than linear ones?
A: Generally yes. Cliff unlocks release a large amount at once, increasing short-term selling pressure. Linear unlocks distribute tokens gradually, reducing market impact over time.
Q: Can token unlocks lead to price increases?
A: Not always — but positive unlocks can occur when recipients believe in long-term value. If tokens are staked, used in dApps, or held by committed teams, price impact can be neutral or even bullish.
Staying Ahead in the Unlock Cycle
Monitoring token unlock calendars is essential for traders, investors, and ecosystem participants alike. With projects like Berachain pushing boundaries in liquidity-centric design, Aethir revolutionizing decentralized compute, and The Sandbox completing its distribution journey, these events reflect broader trends in blockchain maturity and user empowerment.
As more projects transition from closed allocations to open markets, understanding the nuances behind each unlock becomes critical — not just for risk management, but for identifying emerging opportunities in Web3’s evolving landscape.
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