The takeaway
Label the supply measure and its date. An allocation becoming transferable is not proof that it will be sold or dictate price.
Give each supply number a definition
Circulating supply estimates the units available to the public market. Total supply generally describes units already created, adjusted for permanent removals, while maximum supply describes a limit where the protocol defines one. These numbers need not match. Data providers can classify treasury holdings, locked allocations and other balances differently. Record the source and definition alongside the number. A token’s low unit price says little about how much of its possible supply already exists or can become available.
Distinguish release from sale
An unlock removes a restriction from an allocation according to its rules; it does not establish that the recipient will immediately sell. Vesting may release tokens gradually or at specified milestones. Examine the project’s current official schedule, who receives the allocation and whether its terms can change. A calendar entry without those details is incomplete. Newly transferable tokens may affect the market, but demand, liquidity and holder behaviour also matter, so an unlock is not a mechanical prediction of a price move.
Keep valuation assumptions visible
Market capitalisation and fully diluted valuation use different supply assumptions. Neither represents cash held by a project or an amount all holders can withdraw. If you compare valuations, use consistent definitions and dates; otherwise the comparison can change simply because the inputs changed. Check whether supply data is verified, estimated or unavailable rather than replacing missing information with a guess. The useful result of reading a supply schedule is a clearer list of assumptions, not a target price or a promise of scarcity-driven returns.
Sources & further reading
- CoinGecko — Supply methodologysupport.coingecko.com
- OpenZeppelin — VestingWallet documentationdocs.openzeppelin.com
Original educational content. Not personal investment advice, live market research or a recommendation to buy. Sources inform the explanation; they do not endorse SafeCoin.