The cryptocurrency market is bracing for a week of potential volatility as 21 altcoins are scheduled for significant token unlocking events from January 19 to January 25, 2026. These events, which will release millions of dollars worth of previously locked tokens into circulation, could exert substantial selling pressure on individual projects and the broader altcoin market.
The detailed schedule, compiled by Bitcoinsistemi.com, shows unlocks occurring daily, with most events timed for 03:00 UTC+3. The unlocks vary widely in scale relative to each token's market capitalization. Yooldo (ESPORTS) faces the largest relative unlock, with $18.97 million (27.61% of its market value) set to be released on January 19. LayerZero (ZRO) will see the largest absolute value unlock at $42.70 million (12.18% of its market cap) on January 20 at 18:00 UTC+3.
Other notable unlocks include AnimeCoin (ANIME) releasing $6.55 million (15.05% of market value) on January 23, and Humanity (H) unlocking $24.13 million (7.19%) on January 25. The list encompasses a diverse range of projects, including infrastructure tokens like Merlin Chain (MERL) and Avail (AVAIL), AI-focused projects like Aria.AI (ARIA) and ChainOpera AI (COAI), and niche tokens like AnimeCoin and Yooldo.
This wave of unlocks arrives as the broader market shows resilience. Bitcoin is poised to close the week with a 4.66% gain, despite headwinds from political developments, including Kevin Hassett's decision not to run for Fed chairman and former President Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on the European Union.
Analysts and observers warn that such events historically lead to increased market volatility and potential price corrections. The sudden increase in circulating supply can create an imbalance if demand does not keep pace, leading to downward pressure on prices. While no primary sources or direct quotes from project teams are provided in the reports, the data underscores a critical week for altcoin investors to monitor supply dynamics closely.
