The Major Token Unlocks of October: SUI and Celestia (TIA) Under the Spotlight

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October 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal month for the cryptocurrency market, with a wave of significant token unlocks set to impact several high-profile projects. Among the most anticipated are SUI and Celestia (TIA), both of which are scheduled to release substantial token volumes—potentially triggering market volatility. In total, over $2 billion worth of tokens will enter circulation this month, raising concerns about increased selling pressure and short-term price corrections.

While token unlocks are a normal part of blockchain project roadmaps, their timing and scale can heavily influence investor sentiment. This article breaks down the key unlocks scheduled for October, analyzes their potential market impact, and offers insights into how traders and long-term holders can prepare.

SUI Token Unlock: A Measured Influx

Kicking off the month, SUI saw a token unlock on October 1, 2025, releasing 64.5 million tokens valued at over $110 million at current market rates. This addition represents approximately 2.3% of SUI’s current circulating supply of 2.76 billion tokens out of a total 10 billion.

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Although this may seem modest in percentage terms, any increase in circulating supply can affect price dynamics—especially if early investors or team members decide to sell. Historically, SUI has been a highly speculative asset. Launched in May 2023, it debuted at around $1.40 and experienced a dramatic price swing in its first year.

After falling to a low of $0.36, SUI surged during the early phase of the 2024–2025 bull run, surpassing $1.80 in February 2025 and peaking near $2.20 in March. However, it later corrected to below $0.60 before staging a strong recovery in mid-September—climbing back toward $1.90.

Notably, despite market anticipation of the October unlock, SUI’s price rose 22% in the past seven days, reaching its highest level in months. This counterintuitive movement suggests strong bullish sentiment or strategic accumulation ahead of the unlock. Still, traders should remain cautious—short-term volatility is likely as newly unlocked tokens enter exchanges.

Upcoming Token Unlocks: A Monthly Timeline

Beyond SUI, October features a series of major unlocks across multiple ecosystems. Here’s a breakdown of the most impactful events:

October 4: IMX (Immutable X) – $48 Million

Immutable X will unlock 27.92 million IMX tokens, valued at approximately $48 million. As a Layer-2 solution for NFTs and gaming, IMX has seen fluctuating demand. The unlock could test market resilience, especially if NFT activity remains subdued.

October 10: CHEE (Cheelee) – $305 Million

A massive 23.44 million CHEE tokens will be released, worth over $305 million. Cheelee, a social-fi platform, has attracted attention for its rapid growth but remains controversial due to its speculative nature. This unlock could lead to significant sell-off pressure.

October 12: APT (Aptos) – $90 Million

Aptos will unlock 11.31 million APT tokens, adding roughly $90 million to the circulating supply. Aptos has maintained strong developer activity and ecosystem growth, which may help absorb some of the selling pressure.

October 14: AXS (Axie Infinity) – $66 Million

Axie Infinity will release 12.56 million AXS tokens, valued at about $66 million. As one of the original play-to-earn games, Axie continues rebuilding its user base. However, investor patience is thin, and this unlock may prompt profit-taking.

October 16: ARB (Arbitrum) – $59 Million

Arbitrum will unlock 93.65 million ARB tokens, worth around $59 million. As a leading Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution, Arbitrum benefits from strong fundamentals and ongoing protocol revenue—factors that could cushion price impact.

October 31: OP (Optimism) – $45 Million

Optimism will release 24.16 million OP tokens, totaling about $45 million. With its focus on decentralized governance and ecosystem grants, Optimism’s unlock may see moderate market reaction.

Celestia (TIA): The October Watchlist Headliner

The most anticipated event of the month is undoubtedly the Celestia (TIA) token unlock on October 31, which will release 175.75 million TIA tokens—worth nearly $1 billion at current prices. This single event accounts for almost half of the total value unlocked in October.

Celestia launched in October 2024, just as the latest bull market gained momentum. It debuted at $2.20 and skyrocketed to an all-time high of nearly **$21 in February 2025—a staggering +850% gain** in just four months. Much of this surge was attributed to perfect market timing and strong interest in modular blockchain infrastructure.

However, from March onward, TIA entered a prolonged correction phase, dipping to $3.70 by September before rebounding to its current level of around **$5.70**—still down 73% from its peak but well above its launch price.

With a current circulating supply of 214 million tokens out of a total cap of 1 billion, the upcoming unlock will flood the market with tokens equivalent to 81% of today’s circulating supply. Given that Celestia’s current market cap is about $1.2 billion, the release of $1 billion in new tokens poses a serious risk of downward pressure.

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While Celestia remains a technically robust and promising project in the modular blockchain space, such a massive unlock makes short- to medium-term price appreciation challenging unless matched by equally strong demand from new investors or ecosystem growth.

FAQ: Understanding Token Unlocks

What is a token unlock?

A token unlock refers to the release of previously locked tokens—often held by team members, early investors, or foundations—according to a predefined vesting schedule. These tokens then enter circulation and can be traded freely.

Why do token unlocks affect prices?

Unlocks increase the circulating supply. If recipients choose to sell their tokens immediately, it creates selling pressure that can drive prices down—especially in bearish or neutral markets.

Can price drops after unlocks be avoided?

Not always—but strong project fundamentals, active ecosystems, and positive market sentiment can help absorb the impact. Projects with gradual vesting schedules tend to see less volatility.

Should I sell my tokens before an unlock?

This depends on your investment strategy. Some traders take profits ahead of unlocks to avoid potential dips. Long-term holders may choose to wait if they believe in the project’s future.

How can I track upcoming token unlocks?

Several analytics platforms provide unlock calendars showing dates, amounts, and percentages for major projects. Monitoring these can help you anticipate market movements.

Is a large unlock always bad for a project?

No—it’s not inherently negative. Unlocks are planned events that reflect project maturity. The key is whether the project delivers value that justifies increased supply.

Final Thoughts: Navigating October’s Unlock Wave

October 2025 presents both risks and opportunities for crypto investors. With over $2 billion in tokens scheduled to unlock—including major releases from SUI, Celestia (TIA), and others—the month demands careful attention.

While projects like SUI have shown resilience despite unlocks, others like TIA face steep challenges due to the sheer volume of new supply entering the market. Traders should monitor exchange inflows, on-chain activity, and broader market trends to assess real-time sentiment.

For long-term believers, volatility can present buying opportunities—especially for fundamentally sound projects undergoing temporary sell-offs. However, short-term traders should exercise caution and consider risk management strategies such as position sizing and stop-loss orders.

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As always, understanding the why behind token unlocks—and separating hype from sustainable value—is key to navigating turbulent markets successfully.

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