3 Token Unlocks That Could Shake Crypto Markets This Week (Aug 18-24, 2025)

Brace for impact—these three token unlocks could send shockwaves through digital asset markets.

Supply tsunamis incoming? Projects releasing vested tokens this week face a brutal liquidity test as traders watch for sell pressure.

1. The Sleeping Giant Awakens

A top-20 project's team allocation hits circulation—just as BTC struggles to hold $30k. Perfect storm or buying opportunity?

2. VC Payday Protocol

Early investors dump another 9-figure stack into retail laps. Will the 'smart money' prove smarter again?

3. The DeFi Dilemma

Governance tokens flood the market while TVL shrinks. Community voting power expands—if anyone still cares.

Timing is everything: These unlocks hit during peak summer liquidity droughts. Either we see capitulation...or another masterclass in 'sell the news' manipulation. Place your bets.

1. LayerZero (ZRO)

• Unlock Date: August 20
• Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 25.71 million ZRO (2.57% of Total Supply)
• Current Circulating Supply: 111.15 million ZRO
• Total Supply: 1 billion ZRO

LayerZero is an interoperability protocol designed to enable seamless communication across different blockchains. It supports censorship-resistant, permissionless development with Immutable smart contracts. 

On August 20, LayerZero will release 25.71 million ZRO tokens, valued at approximately $51.9 million. These tokens account for 23.14% of the current circulating supply. 

Overall, the allocation includes 13.42 million ZRO for strategic partners, 10.63 million tokens for Core contributors, and 1.67 million ZRO for tokens repurchased by the team. 

2. KAITO (KAITO)

• Unlock Date: August 20
• Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 23.35 million KAITO (2.3% of Total Supply)
• Current Circulating Supply: 241.38 million KAITO
• Total Supply: 1 billion KAITO

Kaito is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Web3 information platform that aggregates and analyzes cryptocurrency market data from diverse sources like social media, governance forums, news and more. The KAITO token serves as a medium of exchange, governance tool, and incentive mechanism within the platform. 

On August 20, the team will unlock 23.35 million tokens, representing 9.68% of the current circulating supply. The supply is worth approximately $24.73 million.

The team will split the unlocked tokens three ways. The foundation will receive 1.19 million tokens. Furthermore, the team will direct 7.16 million KAITO for ecosystem and network growth and 15 million tokens for long-term creator incentives.

3. Soon (SOON)

• Unlock Date: August 23
• Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 41.88 million SOON (4.32% of Total Supply)
• Current Circulating Supply: 235.06 million
• Total Supply: 969.9 million

SOON is a high-performance Solana VIRTUAL Machine (SVM) Rollup, designed to implement the Super Adoption Stack. It includes three main components: SOON Mainnet,  SOON Stack, and InterSOON.

The network will unlock 41.88 million tokens worth around $11.74 million. The unlocked supply accounts for 17.82% of the current supply in circulation. 

SOON will allocate 26.67 million tokens to SOONer, a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) built on the solana (SOL) blockchain. Moreover, it will keep 8.30 million tokens for an airdrop to NFT holders. 

The team has earmarked 4.17 million SOON for the ecosystem, 2.22 million tokens for community incentives, and 520,830 tokens for airdrop and liquidity.

In addition to these three, other major projects will release tokens during this period. Investors can look out for token unlocks from Avail (AVAIL), Pixels (PIXEL), Polyhedra Network (ZKJ), and IOTA (IOTA).