A cliff is a waiting period before tokens begin to unlock under a vesting schedule.

Neutral archive note: This glossary page is for educational purposes only. It does not endorse, verify, rank, promote, or recommend any specific token, wallet, chain, exchange, DEX, tool, protocol, project, or service.

Short definition

Cliff is a cliff is a waiting period before tokens begin to unlock under a vesting schedule.

Simple explanation

During the cliff period, tokens remain locked. After the cliff, unlocks may begin all at once or gradually.

Why it matters

Cliffs affect when supply may enter circulation and when early participants can access tokens.

Example context

A 6-month cliff means tokens do not unlock for the first six months.

Related terms