A crypto airdrop is a distribution event where blockchain projects give away free tokens or NFTs to eligible wallet addresses. Projects use airdrops to reward early users, build community, decentralize token ownership, and generate buzz around their platform. Famous examples include Uniswap's UNI airdrop (worth $6,400+ per user) and Arbitrum's ARB airdrop.

Projects distribute free tokens for several strategic reasons: 1) Community building - creating loyal holders who are invested in the project's success, 2) Decentralization - spreading token ownership across many users, 3) Marketing - generating viral attention and word-of-mouth, 4) Rewarding early adopters - thanking users who helped test and grow the platform, 5) Regulatory benefits - distributing tokens as rewards rather than sales may have regulatory advantages.

Airdrop values vary dramatically. Some airdrops are worth just a few dollars, while major retroactive airdrops have been worth tens of thousands of dollars per user. Famous examples: Uniswap ($6,400+), dYdX ($10,000+), Arbitrum ($2,000+), Jito ($8,000+). The key is consistent participation across multiple protocols - even small airdrops add up over time.

Legitimate airdrops from reputable projects are safe. However, scammers often impersonate projects to steal funds. Safety rules: 1) Never share your private key or seed phrase, 2) Only claim through official project websites, 3) Be wary of airdrops that require deposits, 4) Use a dedicated wallet for airdrop farming, 5) Verify links through official social channels. Check our Stay Safe guide for detailed security tips.

A retroactive airdrop rewards users who interacted with a protocol BEFORE the token was announced. Projects take a 'snapshot' of past user activity and distribute tokens based on historical usage. Examples include Uniswap (rewarding past traders), Arbitrum (rewarding L2 users), and Jupiter (rewarding Solana swappers). These are often the most valuable airdrops but require speculation about which protocols might launch tokens.

Testnet airdrops reward users who participate in testing new blockchain networks or protocols before mainnet launch. Testnets use fake tokens but your activity is tracked. When the mainnet launches, active testers often receive real tokens. Examples include Aptos, Sui, and various L2 testnets. Testnet participation typically requires technical knowledge but no financial investment.

Holder airdrops distribute tokens to wallets holding specific cryptocurrencies or NFTs at a snapshot time. For example, if you hold ETH in your wallet at a snapshot, you might receive new tokens. Famous examples include Bitcoin holders receiving Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum holders receiving various L2 tokens. Blue-chip NFT holders (BAYC, Pudgy Penguins) often receive companion tokens.

Telegram airdrops are distributed through Telegram mini-apps and bots, primarily on the TON (The Open Network) blockchain. They typically involve 'tap-to-earn' games, completing tasks, or referrals. Examples include Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and DOGS. These are beginner-friendly since they often don't require crypto investment - just a Telegram account and time.

Quest airdrops require completing specific tasks to earn points or tokens. Tasks might include following social media accounts, joining Discord, making swaps, providing liquidity, or completing educational modules. Platforms like Galxe, Zealy, Layer3, and Intract host quest campaigns for various projects. Points earned often convert to tokens during TGE (Token Generation Event).

Staking airdrops reward users who stake or restake their tokens in specific protocols. EigenLayer pioneered 'restaking' where staked ETH earns additional rewards from multiple protocols simultaneously. Liquid staking protocols (Lido, Rocket Pool) and liquid restaking protocols (EtherFi, Renzo, Kelp) may offer airdrops to early stakers.

1) Set up a crypto wallet (MetaMask for Ethereum/EVMs, Phantom for Solana), 2) Get some crypto for gas fees, 3) Create accounts on quest platforms (Galxe, Zealy), 4) Follow our guides on AirdropTracker, 5) Start with simple tasks and gradually explore DeFi protocols. We recommend starting with Telegram airdrops as they're beginner-friendly and require no investment.

Legitimate airdrops never require payment to receive tokens. However, you may need to: 1) Pay gas fees to claim tokens, 2) Use protocols that have transaction costs, 3) Provide liquidity or stake (using your own funds). Be extremely suspicious of any 'airdrop' that asks you to send money first - this is almost always a scam.

Claiming processes vary: 1) Automatic drops - tokens appear in your wallet automatically, 2) Claim portals - visit the project's claim website, connect wallet, and claim, 3) Quest completion - finish tasks on platforms like Galxe and receive rewards, 4) Snapshot-based - if eligible at snapshot, claim within the claim window. Always claim through official links from verified project channels.

Recommended wallets by blockchain: Ethereum/EVMs: MetaMask, Rabby, Rainbow | Solana: Phantom, Solflare | Cosmos: Keplr, Leap | TON: Tonkeeper, MyTonWallet | Multi-chain: Trust Wallet. Pro tip: Use a dedicated 'farming' wallet for airdrops and keep your main holdings in a separate, more secure wallet (preferably hardware).

Gas requirements vary by chain: Ethereum: $10-50 per transaction (can be expensive), Layer 2s (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base): $0.10-$2, Solana: $0.001-$0.01, TON: Very low ($0.01-$0.05). For L2 farming, start with $50-100 in ETH on each chain. For Solana, 0.5-1 SOL is plenty. Always keep some native tokens for gas.

Diversification is key: 1) Spread activity across multiple protocols and chains, 2) Be consistent - weekly activity often beats one-time large transactions, 3) Focus on well-funded protocols likely to launch tokens, 4) Participate in testnets of promising projects, 5) Use DeFi protocols genuinely (swap, lend, provide liquidity), 6) Join communities early, 7) Complete quest campaigns, 8) Track your activity and eligibility.

Look for: 1) Well-funded projects without tokens (check Crunchbase/DeFiLlama for funding), 2) Projects using points systems (often precede airdrops), 3) Layer 2s and new blockchains without native tokens, 4) DeFi protocols with governance in their roadmap, 5) Projects with 'coming soon' tokenomics, 6) Protocols that have announced but not launched tokens. AirdropTracker's Retroactive section tracks these opportunities.

While some use multiple wallets to increase potential rewards, projects increasingly implement Sybil detection to identify and penalize multi-wallet users. Risks include: 1) Getting disqualified entirely, 2) Having rewards reduced, 3) Being publicly shamed. Our recommendation: Focus on genuine activity with 1-2 wallets rather than spreading thin across many. Quality interactions often matter more than quantity.

1) Hold rather than immediately sell - many tokens appreciate after initial dump, 2) Participate in governance to potentially earn more rewards, 3) Stake or LP your airdropped tokens for additional yield, 4) Track token unlock schedules to time your decisions, 5) Consider tax implications in your jurisdiction. Historical data shows patient holders often outperform immediate sellers.

1) NEVER share your seed phrase - no legitimate airdrop asks for this, 2) Verify URLs carefully - check official social media for correct links, 3) Don't trust DMs - project teams never DM first about airdrops, 4) Be suspicious of 'send money to receive money' schemes, 5) Ignore random tokens in your wallet - don't interact with unknown airdrops, 6) Use hardware wallets for significant holdings, 7) Revoke token approvals regularly at revoke.cash.

A wallet drainer is a malicious smart contract that steals all your tokens when you approve a transaction. Scammers create fake airdrop claim sites that request token approvals with unlimited spending permissions. Once approved, the drainer takes everything. Prevention: 1) Never connect to unverified sites, 2) Check what you're approving before signing, 3) Use wallet protection tools like Pocket Universe, 4) Keep valuable assets in a separate wallet.

Dust attacks involve scammers sending small amounts of unknown tokens to your wallet. The goal is either to: 1) Track your transactions when you interact with the token, 2) Lure you to a scam website printed on the token name, 3) Steal funds through malicious token contracts. Solution: Simply ignore unknown tokens - don't try to sell or transfer them.

Hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor) are excellent for holding significant value but less convenient for active farming. Recommended setup: 1) Hardware wallet for main holdings and large airdrops, 2) Hot wallet for active farming and claiming, 3) Transfer valuable airdrops to hardware wallet after claiming. Never enter your hardware wallet seed phrase anywhere online.

A snapshot is a record of all wallet addresses and their token balances/activity at a specific block height (point in time). Projects take snapshots to determine airdrop eligibility. After a snapshot, your actions no longer affect eligibility for that airdrop. Snapshots are often announced retroactively to prevent gaming. Some projects take multiple snapshots over time.

TGE (Token Generation Event) is when a project's token officially launches and becomes tradeable. Airdrops are typically distributed around TGE. The timeline varies: tokens might be distributed immediately at TGE, or there may be a separate claim period. Always check the project's official announcement for claim windows and deadlines.

Vesting means tokens are distributed gradually over time rather than all at once. For example, you might receive 25% immediately and the rest over 1-2 years. This prevents mass selling and encourages long-term holding. When evaluating an airdrop's value, consider the vesting schedule - your actual liquid value may be less than the 'total' airdrop.

Sybil attacks involve one person using multiple wallets to receive multiple airdrops. Projects combat this through: 1) On-chain analysis linking wallets, 2) Minimum activity thresholds, 3) Gitcoin Passport and similar identity tools, 4) Social verification requirements, 5) IP and device fingerprinting. Increasingly, projects penalize or exclude suspected Sybil attackers.