The crypto landscape continues to evolve with significant token unlocks shaping market dynamics. Next week, 14 projects are scheduled for token releases, drawing attention from investors and traders alike. Among them, Berachain (BERA) and Aethir (ATH) stand out with unlock events exceeding 10% of their current circulating supply, potentially influencing price action and liquidity. This article breaks down the key details, implications, and opportunities tied to these major unlocks.
Berachain: Major Airdrop Fuels Second-Phase BERA Release
Berachain is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain built on the Cosmos SDK and fully EVM-compatible, designed to support scalable and efficient decentralized applications. What sets Berachain apart is its innovative Proof of Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism, which incentivizes liquidity provision as a core network security model.
The ecosystem operates on a three-token model:
- BERA: The native gas token used for transaction fees.
- HONEY: A decentralized, over-collateralized stablecoin pegged to USD.
- BGT: A non-transferable governance token that rewards long-term participation.
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Upcoming Unlock Details
- Tokens Released: 14.02 million BERA
- Estimated Value: ~$87.33 million
- Unlock Type: Full airdrop distribution
- Release Date: February 10
This release marks Phase 2 of the BERA airdrop, managed by the Berachain Foundation. Eligible recipients include:
1. Top Community Contributors ("Yappers")
Highly active users on X (formerly Twitter) and Discord within the Berachain Bong Bear NFT community will receive allocations based on an engagement index powered by KaitoAI and Cookie3 data. Users can check eligibility by connecting their X or Discord accounts via the official airdrop portal.
2. RFB Program Recipients
Over 200 ecosystem projects and community contributors have been awarded tokens through the Retreat, Farm, Build (RFB) initiative. Recipients must allocate 70% of their received tokens toward future mainnet incentives and liquidity programs, ensuring long-term ecosystem growth.
This unlock is particularly significant because it injects a large volume of tokens directly into the hands of builders and early supporters—many of whom are likely to reinvest rather than immediately sell. Still, traders should monitor wallet movements closely as increased on-chain activity may precede short-term volatility.
Aethir: Decentralized Cloud Powerhouse Unlocks Massive ATH Batch
Aethir is revolutionizing enterprise computing by offering a decentralized, GPU-powered cloud infrastructure tailored for AI, gaming, and Web3 workloads. By leveraging a distributed network of high-performance hardware—including NVIDIA H100 and H200 chips—Aethir delivers scalable, cost-efficient compute power without reliance on traditional centralized cloud providers.
This positions Aethir at the intersection of two booming sectors: artificial intelligence and decentralized infrastructure, making it a compelling project to watch in 2025.
Upcoming Unlock Details
- Tokens Released: 684 million ATH
- Estimated Value: ~$27.39 million
- Cliff Unlock Portion: 630 million ATH (~$24.6 million)
- Unlock Pattern: Primarily linear with a rare cliff event
Unlike typical gradual vesting schedules, this release includes a notable cliff unlock, where a substantial portion becomes available all at once. Such events often trigger short-term selling pressure, especially if early investors or team members are among the recipients.
However, Aethir’s strong use case in decentralized AI infrastructure could help absorb some of this supply shock. The demand for accessible GPU resources remains high across machine learning, real-time rendering, and blockchain-based gaming—sectors where Aethir has already established partnerships and live deployments.
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The Sandbox: Final SAND Unlock Paves Way for Full Circulation
The Sandbox is one of the most well-established names in the metaverse and user-generated content space. Built on Ethereum, it enables creators to design, own, and monetize voxel-based assets and immersive gaming experiences using NFT technology.
With this upcoming unlock, SAND is entering full circulation, marking the end of its structured vesting schedule—a milestone that signals maturity for the project.
Unlock Breakdown
- Total Tokens Released: 205 million SAND
- Estimated Value: ~$15.45 million
Distribution Includes:
- Company Reserve: 96.84 million SAND (~$38.11 million)
- Team Allocation: 71.25 million SAND (~$28.04 million)
- Advisors: 37.5 million SAND (~$14.76 million)
While the total value may seem lower compared to BERA or ATH, the significance lies in the fact that this is the final scheduled unlock. Once released, all SAND tokens will be in circulation, eliminating future dilution concerns.
Market sentiment around such milestones can go either way:
- Bullish case: No more scheduled unlocks mean reduced selling pressure.
- Bearish risk: Large holders (including team and advisors) may take profits after years of vesting.
Nonetheless, The Sandbox continues to expand its brand partnerships and gaming integrations, which could support sustained demand for SAND even amid increased supply.
Key Keywords Identified
- Token unlock
- Berachain BERA
- Aethir ATH
- The Sandbox SAND
- Crypto airdrop
- Decentralized cloud
- Proof of Liquidity
- Full token circulation
These keywords naturally align with trending search queries related to blockchain updates, investment timing, and project fundamentals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why do token unlocks matter for investors?
A: Token unlocks increase the circulating supply, which can lead to downward price pressure if recipients sell. However, if the project has strong utility and demand, the impact may be minimal or even positive due to increased market participation.
Q: Is a cliff unlock riskier than linear vesting?
A: Yes, cliff unlocks release a large number of tokens at once, often leading to short-term volatility. Linear vesting spreads releases over time, reducing sudden market shocks.
Q: How can I check if I’m eligible for the BERA airdrop?
A: Visit the official Berachain airdrop portal and connect your X (Twitter) or Discord account. Eligibility is determined using engagement metrics from KaitoAI and Cookie3.
Q: Does The Sandbox still have growth potential after full token circulation?
A: Yes. While SAND is now fully circulating, The Sandbox continues to develop new games, partner with global brands, and integrate with other blockchains—factors that drive long-term token utility.
Q: What makes Berachain’s Proof of Liquidity unique?
A: Unlike traditional proof-of-stake systems, PoL rewards users for providing liquidity, aligning economic incentives with network security and DeFi depth.
Q: Can decentralized cloud platforms like Aethir compete with AWS or Google Cloud?
A: They’re not direct replacements but offer niche advantages—especially in cost efficiency, censorship resistance, and access to underutilized GPU capacity for AI and gaming workloads.
Final Thoughts
Next week’s token unlocks highlight critical junctures for several major blockchain projects. Berachain strengthens its community-driven foundation with a large airdrop; Aethir unleashes significant supply amid growing demand for decentralized compute; and The Sandbox reaches full maturity with its final SAND release.
For traders and long-term holders alike, understanding the context behind each unlock—whether it's tied to team allocations, ecosystem growth, or community rewards—is essential for informed decision-making.
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As always, monitor on-chain movements, sentiment shifts, and macro trends before adjusting your strategy. With proper research and timing, these unlock events may present strategic entry points in promising ecosystems.