The cryptocurrency market is preparing for more than $438 million worth of token unlocks scheduled for the third week of March 2026. Several major projects, including LayerZero (ZRO), Lombard (BARD), and River (RIVER), are set to release a significant amount of new tokens into circulation.
Token unlock events are often closely monitored by traders because they increase the circulating supply, which can lead to short-term volatility and potential price pressure.
Here’s a breakdown of the most important token unlocks investors should keep an eye on this week.
🔓 LayerZero (ZRO)
Unlock Date: March 20, 2026
Tokens to be Unlocked: 25.71 million ZRO
Circulating Supply: 455.67 million ZRO
Total Supply: 1 billion ZRO
Estimated Value: ~$55.53 million
LayerZero is a cross-chain interoperability protocol designed to connect multiple blockchains and enable seamless communication between them.
Its infrastructure allows decentralized applications (dApps) to operate across different blockchains without relying on traditional bridge models.
In the upcoming unlock event, 25.71 million ZRO tokens will be released, representing 5.64% of the current circulating supply.
The token distribution will be allocated as follows:
• 13.42 million ZRO for strategic partners
• 10.63 million ZRO for core contributors
• 1.67 million ZRO from tokens previously bought back by the team
Given the scale of this unlock, traders are watching closely to see whether profit-taking from early stakeholders could influence short-term price action.
🔓 Lombard (BARD)
Unlock Date: March 18, 2026
Tokens to be Unlocked: 30 million BARD
Circulating Supply: 269.85 million BARD
Total Supply: 1 billion BARD
Estimated Value: ~$32.43 million
Lombard Protocol is a DeFi platform focused on transforming Bitcoin into yield-generating liquid assets.
This allows users to deploy Bitcoin within DeFi ecosystems, unlocking new opportunities for earning yield and participating in decentralized financial strategies.
On March 18, Lombard will release 30 million BARD tokens, representing 11.09% of the circulating supply.
The tokens will be distributed through two major airdrop phases:
• 15 million BARD for Airdrop Season 1
• 15 million BARD for Airdrop Season 2
Because these tokens are primarily distributed to users through airdrops, some selling pressure could emerge as recipients claim and potentially sell their rewards.
🔓 River (RIVER)
Unlock Date: March 22, 2026
Tokens to be Unlocked: 1.11 million RIVER
Circulating Supply: 45.66 million RIVER
Total Supply: 100 million RIVER
Estimated Value: ~$25.47 million
River is a protocol focused on developing cross-chain abstract stablecoin infrastructure.
Its technology allows users to collateralize assets on one blockchain while issuing stablecoins on another, enabling better capital efficiency, leverage strategies, and scalability across multiple networks.
During the upcoming unlock, 1.11 million RIVER tokens will be released, representing 2.39% of the circulating supply.
Unlike other unlocks, all tokens will be allocated to the ecosystem fund, which may support development initiatives, liquidity programs, and future protocol growth.
📊 Other Token Unlocks to Watch
In addition to the three projects mentioned above, investors should also monitor unlock events from several other notable projects during the same week, including:
• YZY
• KAITO
• ARB
These token releases could contribute significantly to the overall increase in market supply, potentially influencing short-term price movements across the crypto market.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is published for informational purposes only and reflects personal market observations. It should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. The author is not responsible for any financial losses resulting from trading or investing.
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