Token unlocks can shake markets — but they’re often hard to track in real time. In this guide, we’ll build a simple Python Telegram bot that alerts you to significant upcoming token unlock events using the DropsTab API.
Why Token Unlocks Matter
Locked tokens act like temporary supply constraints. But when they unlock, supply increases — often causing price drops or volatility. For traders and analysts, knowing about unlocks before they happen is critical context.
Platforms like CoinGecko or CMC don’t offer this. Even advanced tools like Dune or Nansen require custom setup. DropsTab’s /tokenUnlocks endpoint fills this gap — with real-time, structured unlock data.
Step 1: Get Your API Key from DropsTab
Go to dropstab.com/products/commercial-api and apply for a free API key via the Builders Program (great for students, indie devs, and hackathons).
Once approved, store your API key securely.
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
Base URL: https://public-api.dropstab.com/api/v1/
Step 2: Fetch Upcoming Token Unlocks
Use Python to get upcoming unlocks via:
import requests
API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY"
url = "https://public-api.dropstab.com/api/v1/tokenUnlocks"
headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}"}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
data = response.json()
for event in data.get('data', []):
print(event)
Sample API response:
{
"coin": "Aptos",
"date": "2025-08-12",
"percentage": 1.13,
"amount": 11300000
}
⚙️ Step 3: Filter Significant Events
You likely don’t want alerts for small unlocks (e.g. 0.2% of supply). Let’s filter for events above 5%:
threshold = 5.0
for event in data.get('data', []):
percent = event.get('percentage', 0)
if percent >= threshold:
print(f"{event['coin']} unlocks {percent}% of supply on {event['date']}")
You can adjust this threshold for large- or small-cap tokens.
Step 4: Send Alerts via Telegram
Install the library:
pip install python-telegram-bot
Then send alerts when an event passes your threshold:
from telegram import Bot
BOT_TOKEN = "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN"
CHAT_ID = "YOUR_CHAT_ID"
bot = Bot(token=BOT_TOKEN)
if percent >= threshold:
alert_text = f"🚨 {coin} unlocks {percent}% of supply on {date}!"
bot.send_message(chat_id=CHAT_ID, text=alert_text)
You can post to a private group, channel, or your personal chat during testing.
🧠 Optional: Add Market Context
The /coins endpoint gives price + supply data. Use it to calculate the unlock’s market value.
Combine unlock % with token price for impact estimate
E.g., 10% unlock = ~$5M at current price
Step 5: Run on Schedule
Deploy your bot using:
cron or time.sleep() for regular checks
Cloud functions (AWS Lambda, GCP)
Always-on bots with command support (/nextunlock TokenX)
Beyond Unlocks: Expand with DropsTab
You can use other endpoints to turn your bot into a full crypto alert system:
/fundingRounds: VC raises
/investors: portfolio changes
/cryptoActivities: exchange listings, governance votes
Final Thoughts
With just one API and a few lines of Python, you can build a powerful real-time crypto alert bot. DropsTab makes institutional-grade tokenomics data accessible to indie builders — including vesting schedules, unlocks, and investor activity.
Explore the API here: https://api-docs.dropstab.com