What is token vesting?
Vesting releases an allocation over time instead of making all of it available immediately.
Version 1
GlossaryVesting is a schedule that makes an allocation available over time, rather than all at once.
Imagine being allocated 1,000 tokens. A hypothetical schedule releases 100 first, waits six months, then releases the remaining 900 gradually over the next six months. Receiving an allocation is different from being able to use or sell every token immediately.
A little more technical
A cliff is a waiting period before a scheduled release begins. Linear vesting releases an amount progressively across a defined period. The exact dates, calculation and claim process depend on the arrangement.
Software can enforce a schedule, but the word “vesting” does not prove that it does. Some arrangements depend on the issuer delivering tokens. AXIS’s September 2026 sale terms, for example, say Sonar does not enforce its vesting schedule; distribution is handled by AXIS.
Common misunderstanding
An unlock is not a guaranteed payout in money. It does not promise buyers, a listing or a particular market price. Check who controls delivery as well as when tokens are due.
Sources: OpenZeppelin’s vesting-contract documentation describes a software-enforced design; AXIS’s terms illustrate why a particular sale can work differently. We have not verified that AXIS uses any OpenZeppelin contract.