vest

Vesting is the schedule by which tokens become claimable. A vesting schedule has three components: TGE unlock (% available day one), cliff (months until any further unlocks begin), and linear duration (months over which the remainder unlocks). Most team and investor allocations vest over 36–48 months with a 12-month cliff.

The purpose of vesting is alignment. Without it, the team and investors could sell their entire allocation on day one, crushing the price and signaling no long-term commitment. With it, sellers absorb gradually as the project demonstrates progress. Investors specifically look at the "vesting tail" — how long until the last token unlocks — to size the long-term selling pressure they'll need to absorb.