Linear vesting distributes tokens in equal portions at regular intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly) over a defined vesting period. This creates a predictable and steady flow of new tokens entering circulation.
Compared to cliff-based unlocks, linear vesting creates less concentrated selling pressure since tokens are released gradually rather than in large batches. This makes it generally more favorable for price stability.
Many projects combine cliff and linear vesting — for example, a 6-month cliff followed by 18 months of linear vesting. This hybrid approach ensures initial commitment while providing predictable token distribution afterward.