Overview
Token release schedules use inconsistent terms across projects, making it difficult to compare them fairly. Tokenomist solves this by standardizing unlock models into two types: periodic Cliff Release and daily Linear Release. Our Emission component provides the complete picture by tracking net supply changes from both inflation and token burns (deflation).Methodology
Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cliff Unlock | An unlock event that occurs at a set interval greater than one day (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly). This represents a discrete, periodic release of tokens. |
| Linear Unlock | A continuous, daily release of a specific number of tokens. This represents a smooth, predictable increase in the circulating supply. |
| Inflation | The number of new tokens either from new issuance or released according to a release schedule. |
| Deflation | The decrease of tokens via a burn mechanism. |
| Net Emission | The net change in supply, calculated as Inflation - Deflation. |
How We Classify Unlocks
- Unlock Classification: We analyze each allocation’s release schedule. If tokens are released daily, we classify the model as Linear. If they are released in discrete intervals (weekly, monthly, etc.), we classify it as a Cliff.
- Emission Calculation:
- Historical: We track all inflation and deflation events from the Token Generation Event (TGE) to today to calculate the total net emission history.
- Projected: We project future inflation based on all known Cliff and Linear unlock schedules. Note: Our future projections do not include potential deflationary events (burns), as these are often variable and unpredictable.
Example Cases
- Case 1 (Cliff): A project’s “Advisor” tokens unlock 1,000,000 tokens on the 1st of every month. Our system shows this as a monthly Cliff Unlock with a countdown.
- Case 2 (Linear): A protocol’s “Ecosystem Rewards” release 50,000 tokens per day. We classify this as a Linear Unlock and show a countdown to the next change in this daily rate, allowing analysts to model smooth inflation.
Access
This data is a central feature of the main dashboard for every asset we track.- The Cliff and Linear unlock modules are located at the top of each token page, giving you an immediate summary of the next critical supply events.
- The detailed Emission chart is located further down, providing a comprehensive view of historical and projected supply changes.
Where To Next?
- See how emissions play out across the market with Crypto Market Emission.
- Compare dilution side by side using Emission Comparison or scan every project with the Emission Screener.
- Explore our Supply Metrics definitions for terms like circulating and unlocked supply.