Hyperliquid Unlocks 1.2M HYPE Tokens as January 6 Team Vesting Begins

Hyperliquid has announced the unstaking of 1.2 million HYPE tokens as it initiates its team vesting plan on January 6. This move marks the start of a monthly unlock schedule that will span 24 months and includes buybacks, token burns, and a small net inflation rate.

Key Takeaways

Token Unstaking: 1.2 million HYPE tokens have been unstaked for team distribution.
Vesting Schedule: Future distributions will occur on the sixth day of each month for 24 months.
Supply Impact: The unstaked tokens account for approximately 0.3% of the total HYPE supply.
Buybacks and Burns: The company plans buybacks and has previously burned tokens to balance supply.
Industry Standing: Hyperliquid is recognized as a leading decentralized exchange, ensuring standard compensation for team members.

Hyperliquid unlocks 1.2M HYPE in team vesting schedule

Hyperliquid Prepares for Team Token Distribution

According to Hyperliquid’s announcement, the unstaking of the 1.2 million HYPE tokens occurred on December 28, 2025, to prepare for the first distribution scheduled for January 6, 2026. These tokens are part of the team's allocation and are consistent with the company’s established vesting schedule.

The official statement shared on Discord confirmed the details of the monthly unlock initiative, affirming that all future distributions will follow this monthly timeline, thereby enhancing transparency for traders and investors.

The 1.2 million HYPE tokens make up about 0.3% of the total token supply, which stands at 420 million. Hyperliquid indicated that their strategies, which include ongoing buybacks of 21,700 tokens daily and staking emissions of 26,700 tokens, help maintain equilibrium in token supply and result in modest net inflation.

In November 2025, a significant unstaking event had created additional sell pressure; however, this was mitigated by 1.9 million HYPE tokens being repurchased. Additionally, Hyperliquid reportedly burned 37 million HYPE tokens from its Assistance Fund.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Hyperliquid’s team allocation is nearly 24% of the total token supply. This 24-month vesting strategy guarantees that distributions will take place gradually, with the January 6 release being the first in a series under this planned schedule. The company assures that these steps align with previously disclosed vesting terms.

Future token unlocks will maintain the same timeline as outlined in their announcement. Hyperliquid stated that these procedures do not alter the fundamental mechanics of the protocol. Vesting structures like this are common in decentralized finance projects as a way to ensure ongoing commitment from team members.

Industry observers continue to view Hyperliquid as a significant player in the on-chain perpetual decentralized exchange market, with its revenue generation capabilities. The recent distribution is part of the standard compensation practices for the team, according to the official statement from the company.