VestreamSablier is the protocol that popularised real-time token streaming, the idea that instead of unlocking tokens in monthly steps, you can release them continuously, by the second. If you've heard the phrase "money streaming" in crypto, Sablier is where it started. This guide explains what Sablier is, how its vesting works, and how to see any Sablier stream's live schedule.
What is Sablier?
Sablier is an on-chain protocol for distributing ERC-20 tokens over time. Rather than a recipient claiming a lump sum at each unlock, tokens accrue to them every second and can be withdrawn at any point. It's used for token vesting, payroll, grants, and airdrops, anywhere you want a smooth, verifiable, continuous release instead of cliff-and-chunk unlocks.
Sablier streams tokens by the second. At any moment, a recipient's 'claimable' balance is exactly what has streamed so far, no waiting for a monthly unlock date.
How Sablier vesting works: Lockup vs Flow
Sablier has two main flavours of stream:
- Lockup (vesting): A fixed-total stream, often with a cliff, then linear or tranched release over a set duration. This is the classic vesting use case (team/investor allocations).
- Flow (open-ended streaming): A continuous stream with no fixed end, used for ongoing payments like salaries and grants.
For token holders assessing unlock pressure, the Lockup streams are the vesting positions that matter, they define how much of a token's supply is still locked and how fast it releases.
Which chains does Sablier support?
Sablier is deployed across many EVM networks, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum and Optimism. A single project can run Sablier streams on several chains at once, which is why a cross-chain view helps when you're totalling a token's real vesting.
Sablier vs step-based vesting
| Sablier (streaming) | Step/tranche vesting | |
|---|---|---|
| Release cadence | Per second (continuous) | At discrete unlock dates |
| Claimable balance | Grows smoothly every block | Jumps at each unlock |
| Best for | Payroll, grants, smooth vesting | Cliff-heavy investor/team schedules |
| Market impact | Spread out, less spiky | Concentrated on unlock days |
How to track a Sablier stream or unlock
To see live Sablier vesting for a wallet or token, including how much has streamed, what's still locked, and the schedule, use the Sablier unlock tracker on Vestream, or paste any address into the free wallet scanner. No sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sablier do?
Sablier streams ERC-20 tokens over time, releasing them by the second rather than in lump-sum unlocks. It's used for token vesting, payroll, grants, and airdrops on-chain.
Is Sablier a payment or a vesting tool?
Both. Its Lockup product handles fixed-total vesting (with cliffs), while its Flow product handles open-ended streaming payments like salaries.
How do I see my Sablier stream's schedule?
Use a cross-protocol tracker like Vestream, which indexes Sablier on-chain and shows claimable vs locked amounts, the release schedule, and alerts, for any wallet, free.