Upcoming Token Releases to Watch
January 2026 is a significant month on the cryptocurrency calendar, with several major altcoins scheduled for substantial token unlocks. These events have the potential to significantly impact market supply, demand, and price action. Understanding the specifics of each unlock is crucial for investors looking to navigate potential volatility.
Ondo Finance (ONDO)
Ondo Finance employs an unconventional approach to token vesting, opting for a yearly unlock schedule rather than the more common daily or monthly distributions. This strategy results in distinct periods of potential selling pressure. The upcoming unlock marks the second of four such annual events, making historical analysis particularly relevant. Studying the price behavior around the first major unlock last January can provide valuable insights into potential market reactions.
Bitget (BGB)
The token unlock for Bitget's exchange token, BGB, is noteworthy due to its sheer volume. On January 26th, 140 million BGB tokens became available. At recent prices around $3.60, this release represents a total value exceeding $500 million. Critically, these newly released tokens will increase the circulating supply by a full twenty percent, a significant surge that will test the market's resilience.
However, BGB's situation is tempered by its aggressive token burn mechanism. Bitget regularly removes tokens from circulation on a quarterly basis. A significant partnership in late 2025 accelerated this process, effectively advancing the burn schedule by nearly two years. This proactive reduction in the total supply has the potential to mitigate the inflationary effects of the January unlock.
Plume Network (PLUME)
Plume Network, which focuses on the real-world asset sector, is facing a challenging market environment. The PLUME token is currently trading approximately ninety-two percent below its all-time high, a situation mirrored by many altcoins. The scheduled unlock on January 21st is unlikely to provide a significant boost to price recovery. On this date, a substantial 1.37 billion PLUME tokens will enter circulation.
This event is characterized as a "cliff" unlock, meaning a large amount of tokens are released at once, rather than a linear vesting schedule. This sudden influx of new tokens represents almost forty percent of the current circulating supply. Such a significant supply shock can be difficult for any market to absorb, particularly one already under considerable pressure. The relatively modest dollar value of this unlock, around $26 million, is a reflection of the token's severely depressed price, a scenario that can often create a negative feedback loop.
Conclusion on January Unlocks
January 2026 presents critical token unlocks for ONDO, BGB, and PLUME, each with unique risks stemming from the unlock size and prevailing market conditions. Historical price action surrounding similar events offers valuable predictive insights for ONDO. Bitget's substantial release is partially counterbalanced by its history of aggressive token burns. Plume Network faces a significant hurdle, with a large supply increase entering a market already experiencing downward pressure.