Vesting

Vesting refers to the process by which tokens or shares are gradually released or unlocked over a specified period, typically used to incentivize long-term commitment and loyalty among team members, investors, or project participants. In the cryptocurrency world, vesting is commonly applied to initial coin offerings (ICOs), employee compensation packages, and early-stage investors. Vesting schedules help to prevent individuals from selling large amounts of tokens immediately after receiving them, which could negatively affect the price and stability of the project. For example, a project team member may receive 100,000 tokens as part of their compensation, but the tokens might vest over a 3-year period, with 1/36th of the tokens becoming available each month. This structure encourages long-term commitment to the project and reduces the risk of sudden sell-offs that could harm the project's value. Vesting periods and schedules are essential for promoting project stability and growth.