Key Takeaways
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This week (Feb 2–8, 2026) brings over $350M in unlocks from just three tokens: HYPE ($296–322M on Feb 6), BERA ($28.5–30M on Feb 6, 41.7% of circulating supply), and XDC ($29–30M on Feb 5).
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BERA’s unlock is the most dangerous — almost doubling its circulating supply in a single day.
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HYPE’s unlock is the largest in dollar terms but historically has been absorbed quickly thanks to strong fundamentals.
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XDC’s unlock is smaller in relative terms but still adds pressure to a thinner-liquidity token.
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Historical data shows large unlocks often cause 10–25% drawdowns in the first 3–7 days; smart traders use this as a risk-management or opportunistic entry window.
Token unlocks are one of the most predictable yet frequently underestimated sources of selling pressure in crypto. This week — February 5–6, 2026 — is an unusually concentrated risk window. Three high-profile projects are releasing tokens worth more than $350 million combined, with BERA’s unlock standing out as one of the most extreme supply shocks of 2026 so far. This article breaks down the exact schedules, allocation details, historical price reactions, and practical trading strategies to help you protect capital and potentially profit from volatility.
Overview of This Week’s Token Unlock Calendar
According to data aggregated from Token Unlocks and on-chain analytics, the total unlock value across the entire market this week exceeds $300–638M. The three tokens below account for the lion’s share and deserve special attention:
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Feb 5 → XDC Network: $29–30M
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Feb 6 → Hyperliquid (HYPE): $296–322M
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Feb 6 → Berachain (BERA): $28.5–30M (41.7% of current circulating supply)
The coincidence of HYPE and BERA unlocking on the same day creates a classic “unlock resonance” scenario that often amplifies short-term downside.
HYPE Unlock – February 6 ($296–322M)
Hyperliquid is unlocking 9.92M HYPE (2.79% of released supply) to core contributors and early team members.
Current circulating supply ≈ 238M (23.8% of 1B total).
This is the largest single monthly team unlock HYPE has seen in 2026 so far.
Historical pattern: HYPE has had monthly team unlocks since launch. In most cases, the price dipped 8–15% in the first 48 hours but recovered within 2–3 weeks when derivatives volume and TVL remained strong.
Risk level: Moderate. Strong product-market fit usually absorbs the supply, but a weak overall market could turn this into a 20%+ leg down.
BERA Unlock – February 6 ($28.5–30M, 41.7% of circulating supply)
Berachain is releasing 63.75M BERA in one go:
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Investors: 28.58M
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Core contributors: 14M
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Future community & ecosystem: 19.59M
This is not just a large unlock — it is an extreme supply shock. Circulating supply will almost double in a single day.
Historical precedent for similar unlocks (e.g., certain L1 launches) shows 25–45% drawdowns within the first week when sell pressure meets thin order books.
Risk level: Very High. This is the unlock most likely to trigger a flash-crash or multi-day liquidation cascade.
XDC Unlock – February 5 ($29–30M)
XDC Network is unlocking 841.18M XDC (≈5% of released supply) split between founders/advisors and ecosystem development.
Circulating supply is already large (16.81B), so the relative impact is smaller than BERA or HYPE.
Still, XDC has historically thin liquidity; even moderate selling can move the price 10–15% intraday.
Risk level: Medium. More of a slow bleed risk than a sudden crash.
Broader Crypto Investment Risks This Week
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Supply shock + sentiment feedback loop — If BERA sells off hard on Feb 6, it can drag sentiment across altcoins, amplifying pressure on HYPE and XDC.
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Weekend effect — Feb 6 unlock falls on a Thursday (US time). Weekend low-liquidity trading often exaggerates moves.
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Leverage cascade — High leverage in perpetuals can turn a 10% spot move into 30–50% liquidations.
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Opportunity cost — Capital tied up defending positions cannot be deployed into other catalysts.
Trading Insights & Risk-Management Strategies
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Pre-unlock positioning (now – Feb 4): Reduce exposure to BERA immediately. For HYPE and XDC, trim 20–40% of position if you are overweight.
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Feb 5–6 execution window:
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Watch BERA order books on major CEXs from 00:00 UTC Feb 6.
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If BERA drops >25% in first 4 hours with declining volume → potential capitulation bottom.
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HYPE often finds buyers near previous support levels post-unlock.
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Hedging tools:
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Short BERA perpetuals or buy put options (if available).
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Use stablecoin pairs or inverse positions to stay market-neutral.
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Post-unlock opportunistic entries:
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General rules:
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Never hold >10% portfolio in any single unlock-heavy token this week.
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Set hard stop-losses 15–20% below entry.
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Keep 30–50% cash or stablecoins ready for discounted entries after panic selling.
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Conclusion
This week’s token unlocks — especially the triple threat of HYPE, BERA, and XDC — represent one of the highest short-term risk events of Q1 2026. BERA’s 41.7% supply shock is the clear standout danger, while HYPE’s large but fundamentally supported unlock offers the best risk/reward asymmetry for patient buyers.
Smart investors treat unlocks not as random black swans but as scheduled, tradable events. By reducing exposure early, hedging where possible, and preparing cash for post-unlock dips, you can turn this week’s selling pressure from a threat into a tactical opportunity.
Stay disciplined, manage leverage, and remember: the best trades often happen right after the crowd panics.
FAQs
When are the biggest tokens unlocked this week?
HYPE and BERA both unlock on February 6, 2026; XDC unlocks on February 5.
Which unlock carries the highest risk?
BERA’s 41.7% supply increase in one day is the most extreme and dangerous event.
How much is HYPE unlocking on Feb 6?
Approximately 9.92M HYPE is worth $296–322 million to core contributors.
Should I buy the dip after these unlocks?
HYPE and XDC dips have historically been good entry points; BERA requires waiting for stabilization (usually 7–14 days).
What is the safest way to navigate this week?
Reduce exposure now, hedge high-risk positions, keep dry powder, and use strict stop-losses.