Plain-English definition
A token unlock is scheduled supply entering the market. Tokens held by teams, investors, foundations, or incentive programs become transferable after a lockup ends.
Unlocks do not guarantee selling. They do create possible supply pressure, so Bathymark reads size, timing, holder type, and existing liquidity together.
Why it matters
Token Unlock matters because crypto markets can look precise while still being shallow, crowded, or poorly sourced. A useful read is not just the number. It is the number, the size behind it, the context around it, and the part it cannot explain.
Simple example
A simple Token Unlock example is a reader comparing two venues with the same headline price but different depth. The deeper venue can absorb more capital before the trade, peg, or yield reading starts to move against the user.
How Bathymark uses this term
Bathymark uses Token Unlock to translate open market data into live liquidity readings. When the term touches a live page, the reading links back to the relevant chain, protocol, stablecoin, DEX, perps, or Signal so the source remains checkable.
Common mistake
The common mistake is treating Token Unlock as a complete signal by itself. Bathymark treats it as one instrument: useful when read beside liquidity, source, size, and what the number cannot prove.