SUI Token Unlocks: Analyzing Risks and Opportunities for Investors

The SUI token's performance in late 2025 was influenced by a series of token unlock events. SUI faced a $78.9 million unlock on January 1, 2026, releasing 55.31 million tokens, representing 1.48% of its market cap. Historical data from earlier unlocks shows similar volatility, with significant price corrections following large supply releases.

Investors must consider the broader context of SUI's ecosystem. Despite the unlock pressures, SUI's Total Value Locked (TVL) increased to $922.25 million, and long-position volumes in SUI/USDT perpetual contracts have risen. These metrics suggest growing utility and institutional interest. New ecosystem developments, such as the USDsui stablecoin and Bitcoin-backed assets, have broadened the token's use cases.

Comparing SUI's unlock events with other major projects in late 2025, SUI ranks among the largest unlocks by value. SUI's unlock accounts for 1.24% of its adjusted released supply, while Hyperliquid's HYPE unlock stands at 2.59% with $251.19 million in value. These events could create liquidity constraints and influence investor sentiment, especially for smaller-cap projects with fewer market participants to absorb the increased supply.

How Do SUI's Unlock Events Impact Price Volatility?

The SUI token's price reacted variably to unlock events. In late 2025, the unlock of 64.19 million SUI tokens coincided with a 6% price surge driven by the Coinbase listing and the SEC-approved 2x leveraged ETF. However, this rally was short-lived, as technical indicators showed weakening momentum, with On-Balance Volume and trading volume falling below the 20-day moving average.

Market participants are closely watching whether SUI's price can stabilize above $1.34, a level that has been tested in the wake of unlock events. Institutional buying and ecosystem developments have partially offset the selling pressure. The price remains above this level for now, but the sustainability of this support is uncertain.

Can SUI's Ecosystem Growth Offset Unlock Pressures?

SUI's ecosystem has demonstrated resilience amid unlocking pressures. TVL has grown to $2.6 billion, and staking activity has expanded to $29.81 billion. New product launches, including USDsui stablecoin and Bitcoin-backed assets, have diversified the token's utility.

Despite these developments, the market remains cautious. The unlock of over $80 million in tokens in early 2026, representing 1.11% of the total supply, has already introduced renewed sell pressure. Institutional investors are monitoring SUI's performance closely, as the token's ability to absorb unlock pressures could signal broader market sentiment toward smaller-cap projects.

How Do SUI's Unlock Events Compare With Other Major Token Unlocks in Late 2025?

SUI's unlock events are part of a larger trend in late 2025, where over $585 million in tokens are scheduled to unlock across multiple projects. For example, Hyperliquid's HYPE token unlock represents $251.19 million in value, while Solana's (SOL) linear unlocks amount to $61.62 million.

The SUI unlock is notable for its concentration of supply. A cliff unlock of 64.19 million SUI tokens on December 1, 2025, triggered by a 2.26% supply release, tested the market's resilience. In contrast, linear unlocks, such as those from Solana and RAIN, spread the pressure over time and may be easier for the market to absorb.

Investors must weigh the impact of these unlocks on liquidity and price stability. SUI's ecosystem developments and institutional interest may provide a buffer, but the market's ability to absorb large token supplies remains a key uncertainty.

In conclusion, SUI's unlock events in late 2025 and early 2026 present both challenges and opportunities for investors. While unlock pressures have introduced volatility, ecosystem growth and institutional interest offer a potential counterbalance. Market participants should monitor price behavior and liquidity dynamics closely to assess the long-term impact of these events.