Major Token Unlocks Scheduled Next Week: ONDO, CHEEL, CONX, and More

·

The cryptocurrency market is bracing for a significant wave of token unlocks next week, with several high-profile projects releasing large portions of their supply. According to data from Token Unlocks, tokens including Ondo (ONDO), Cheelee (CHEEL), Connex (CONX), Arbitrum (ARB), and others are set to unlock substantial amounts between January 13 and January 19 (Beijing time). These events could influence market dynamics, especially for tokens seeing unlocks exceeding 100% of current circulating supply.

This article breaks down the upcoming unlock schedule, analyzes potential market impacts, and highlights key tokens investors should monitor closely.

Key Token Unlock Schedule: January 13–19

Below is a detailed overview of the most notable token unlocks scheduled for next week:

Ondo (ONDO) – January 18, 8:00 AM

One of the largest unlocks comes from Ondo, with approximately 1.94 billion ONDO tokens set to be released. This represents 134.21% of the current circulating supply and is valued at around $2.41 billion. Given the size of this unlock, traders should anticipate increased selling pressure unless team or investor sentiment remains strongly bullish.

👉 Stay ahead of major market movements with real-time data and analytics.

Cheelee (CHEEL) – January 13, 8:00 AM

Cheelee will unlock about 20.81 million CHEEL tokens, worth an estimated $169 million. While the percentage of circulating supply isn’t disclosed, the high value suggests potential volatility in the short term, particularly if early holders decide to cash out.

Connex (CONX) – January 15, 8:00 AM

Connex faces a massive unlock of 4.33 million CONX tokens, equivalent to 376.3% of its current circulating supply, valued at $85.8 million. Such a disproportionately large unlock relative to existing supply may lead to significant price adjustments unless demand absorbs the new inflow.

Arbitrum (ARB) – January 16, 9:00 PM

Arbitrum will release 92.65 million ARB tokens, making up 2.20% of circulating supply, valued at $67.8 million. As a leading Layer 2 solution, ARB’s unlock is relatively modest in percentage terms but still noteworthy due to the project’s ecosystem influence.

Polyhedra Network (ZKJ) – January 13, 8:00 AM

Polyhedra Network will unlock 17.22 million ZKJ tokens, accounting for 28.52% of circulating supply, worth approximately $33.2 million. With growing interest in zero-knowledge technologies, ZKJ’s unlock could attract strategic buying despite potential short-term selling.

UXLINK (UXLINK) – January 18, 8:00 AM

UXLINK will see 26.56 million tokens unlocked, representing 15.63% of circulating supply, valued at $33.2 million. As a social infrastructure project, UXLINK’s post-unlock performance will depend on user growth and platform engagement metrics.

Starknet (STRK) – January 15, 8:00 AM

Starknet will unlock 64 million STRK tokens, or 2.65% of circulating supply, worth about $27.6 million. The release supports ongoing ecosystem development and validator incentives.

Sei (SEI) – January 15, 8:00 PM

Sei will release 55.56 million tokens, equal to 1.32% of circulating supply, valued at $21.5 million. The relatively small percentage suggests minimal immediate impact unless coordinated selling occurs.

QuantixAI (QAI) – January 18, 8:00 AM

QuantixAI will unlock 232,000 QAI tokens, or 4.79% of circulating supply, worth $19.6 million—a high value per token. This could signal strong positioning for AI-driven blockchain applications.

ApeCoin (APE) – January 17, 8:30 PM

ApeCoin will unlock 15.6 million APE tokens, representing 2.16% of supply, valued at $17.3 million. As a flagship NFT ecosystem token, APE’s movement post-unlock will reflect broader NFT market sentiment.

Ethena (ENA) – January 15, 3:00 PM

Ethena will release 12.86 million ENA tokens, or 0.42% of supply, worth $11.8 million. With its synthetic dollar innovation gaining traction, ENA’s unlock is unlikely to cause major disruption.

Echelon Prime (PRIME), Cloud (CLOUD), WMTX, Eigenlayer (EIGEN)

Other notable unlocks include:

These smaller but still impactful releases may affect individual project liquidity and price stability.

Why Token Unlocks Matter

Token unlocks refer to the release of previously locked tokens—often allocated to team members, investors, advisors, or ecosystem funds—that become eligible for circulation after a predefined vesting period.

Core keywords influencing market reactions include:
token unlock, circulating supply, vesting schedule, market impact, crypto liquidity, price volatility, investor sentiment, and on-chain data analysis.

When large volumes unlock:

Projects like ONDO and CONX face outsized unlocks—over 100% and even over 300% of current supply—which historically correlate with short-term bearish trends unless offset by strong demand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a token unlock?

A token unlock is when previously restricted tokens become available for trading or transfer after a set time or milestone defined in the project’s vesting schedule.

How do token unlocks affect price?

Large unlocks often increase sell-side pressure, especially if early investors or team members decide to cash out. However, if the project has strong utility and demand, the impact may be neutral or even positive.

👉 Monitor token flows and unlock schedules with advanced blockchain analytics tools.

Should I sell before a major unlock?

Not necessarily. While some traders exit positions ahead of large unlocks, others use dips as buying opportunities—especially if they believe in the long-term vision of the project.

Which upcoming unlock poses the highest risk?

The Connex (CONX) unlock stands out due to its size—over 376% of current circulating supply—which could significantly dilute existing holdings unless matched by proportional demand growth.

Can token unlocks be avoided?

No—vesting schedules are typically hardcoded into smart contracts or governed by transparent timelines published at launch. They ensure gradual distribution to prevent immediate market flooding.

How can I track future token unlocks?

Use platforms that provide real-time data on vesting schedules and circulating supply changes to stay informed about upcoming events across major crypto projects.

Market Context and Broader Implications

While the focus is on upcoming token unlocks, broader macroeconomic signals also play a role in shaping investor behavior.

For instance, strong U.S. non-farm payroll data has reinforced confidence in economic resilience despite trade tensions, cooling expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and record highs in major stock indices reflect improved risk appetite—a favorable backdrop for speculative assets like cryptocurrencies.

However, traditional safe-haven currencies like the Japanese yen have weakened against the dollar, indicating reduced fear in global markets. This environment may help absorb some of the negative sentiment around large token unlocks.

Additionally, Bitcoin recently approached $110,500 amid renewed bullish momentum—just $1,500 away from its all-time high—demonstrating strong underlying demand in the broader market.

👉 Access real-time crypto price tracking and market insights to navigate volatile periods confidently.

Final Thoughts

Next week’s token unlocks represent a critical stress test for several emerging and established blockchain projects. Tokens like ONDO, CONX, and CLOUD face disproportionate increases in circulating supply that could pressure prices unless demand rises accordingly.

Investors should:

By staying informed and leveraging reliable data sources, traders can better navigate these scheduled releases and make strategic decisions in dynamic market conditions.

As always, timing and sentiment matter—but preparation makes all the difference.