KAITO to unlock 17.8M tokens on July 20 as contributor supply hits market

KAITO will release 17.8 million tokens on July 20, including a 6.94 million tranche for Core Contributors, according to multiple tokenomics trackers.

"Unlock events expand the set of potential sellers, which can reshape order books and funding dynamics for several sessions," the Tokenomics.com dashboard shows, citing on-chain vesting contract data.

Tokenomics.com lists 17,802,405 KAITO unlocking, equal to 1.8% of the 1 billion total supply and valued at roughly $16.7 million at snapshot pricing. CoinGecko's tracker shows a similar figure of about 17.6 million tokens worth approximately $16.9 million. Within that, DeFiLlama's unlock page tags 6.94 million KAITO — valued near $6.67 million — as allocated to Core Contributors, the group closest to the project's development and operations.

The unlock represents a potential 7.4% increase to KAITO's circulating supply of 241.4 million tokens, though actual market impact depends on how much hits exchanges versus being staked or sold over the counter. If a meaningful portion lands on spot venues within 72 hours, price could wobble even if the longer-term trend remains intact.

The July 20 event is the next milestone in KAITO's vesting schedule, which gradually releases tokens to early contributors and investors to avoid flooding the market at launch. Core Contributor unlocks draw particular scrutiny because these holders have the deepest operational knowledge of the project and the most incentive to diversify personal portfolios.

Public trackers vary slightly in their USD estimates due to price drift and snapshot timing, but the token count converges around 17.6 million to 17.8 million KAITO. The differences are methodological, not contradictory. Traders typically cross-check at least two sources — Tokenomics, DeFiLlama, or CoinGecko — to triangulate the real number on the day.

The mechanics of the unlock follow a predictable sequence: tokens become transferable at the scheduled timestamp, holders decide whether to hold, stake, or sell, exchange deposits appear if some choose to sell, and market makers rebalance positions. Perpetual funding rates and borrow costs often adjust in the hours before and after the event as traders hedge unlock risk.

KAITO's circulating supply of 241.4 million tokens, or 24.1% of the 1 billion total, provides context for the dilution. If the full 17.8 million enters the active float over time, the increase is roughly 7.4% — meaningful but not back-breaking for a token with established liquidity. The risk is concentration: if a large share of the Core Contributor tranche hits exchanges in a narrow window, thin order books can amplify the move.

Key variables to watch include spot exchange inflows from vesting wallets, open interest and funding rates across major perpetual venues, and top-of-book depth around the unlock timestamp. A quick round-trip in price post-unlock suggests orderly digestion. Persistent lower highs would indicate supply still overhanging the market.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.