December token unlocks: $1.8B in assets set to flood the crypto market next month

1h ago•

bullish:

bearish:

December token unlocks: $1.8B in assets to flood the crypto market next month

The cryptocurrency market has struggled with immense selling pressure lately, with recoveries followed by deeper slides.

Bitcoin is struggling to gain momentum at $90,000 as traders remain cautious amid mixed signals.

While analysts forecast bull runs before year-end, December altcoin unlocks totaling nearly $1.8 billion are likely to grab investor attention, given the massive supply set to enter the market in the coming days and weeks

For context, token unlocks are approaches that many projects use to release funds to team members, ecosystem partners, or early supporters.

However, massive sums entering circulation within a short period can dent market sentiment and liquidity, especially in an already weakening market.

Moreover, history shows that most recipients of these assets offload them almost immediately to take a profit.

Therefore, market players will watch projects awaiting significant releases in the coming sessions. These assets are bracing for overwhelming volatility.

Sui, Aster lead December releases

Sui and Aster topped CryptoRank’s list with each unlocking tokens worth around $86.8 million.

Sui continues to follow its periodic distribution plan to support ecosystem programs and validators.

Meanwhile, Aster’s unlock arrives as the DEX dominates trends with its constant ecosystem developments.

Recently, the perpetual decentralized exchange launched a new feature to incentivize liquidated users.

More supply from mid-cap projects

Multiple mid-cap projects will also release notable amounts of tokens in the coming month, including LayerZero ($33.7M), PUMP ($31.22), ENA ($27.66), and APT ($25.2M).

Also, infrastructure-focused coins EigenLayer ($23.5M), Arbitrum ($20.63), STBL ($20.4M), and ESPORTS ($19.44) will experience substantial token unlocks in December.

What it means for investors and traders

While token unlocks are predictable, the uncertainty engulfing the broader market makes December crucial.

While some recipients might hold to bolster liquidity, broad-based bearishness can prompt immediate dumps.

Enthusiasts will watch how the $1.8 billion inflows will impact the market in the final month of 2025.

Meanwhile, potential overall market recoveries, boosted by forecasted December rate cuts and QT ending, could help these assets absorb selling pressure triggered by the unlocks.

Crypto market overview

The overall crypto market remains downbeat, awaiting key catalysts.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to set the market’s tone.

It is trading at $90,330 after a muted performance in the past 24 hours.

Bulls should push past $91,500 – $92,500 to clear the path for short-term uptrends.

A decisive break can catalyze gains to $97,000 and reclamation of the $100,000 psychological mark.

However, failure to surpass $92,500 can trigger a retracement to the support barrier of around $85,500.

According to crypto analyst Ali Martinez, losing $84,570 support could be detrimental to BTC’s structure, whereas overcoming $112,340 could welcome a decisive bull run.