What is an Airdrop? Where Can I Join in on One?

What is an airdrop? In cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, "airdrops" have emerged as a popular way for projects to distribute tokens to their communities. But what exactly is it, and why should you keep up to date with announcements?

What is an Airdrop?

In essence, it is a free distribution of cryptocurrency tokens or NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to a specific group of people. These are usually holders of a particular cryptocurrency or active members of a blockchain community. It is usually done as a promotional giveaway or a reward for loyalty.

Why crypto peeps like them

Free tokens

Free is everybody’s favorite price. Airdrops provide an opportunity to acquire new tokens without spending any money. If the project gains traction, these tokens could increase in value, leading to potential profits.

Community engagement

Air dropping free tokens help projects build and strengthen their communities. By rewarding early adopters and active members, they encourage participation and a sense of belonging.

Awareness and adoption

Air dropping free tokens is an effective marketing tool to generate buzz and attract new users to a project. The promise of free tokens can pique interest and drive adoption.

Why stay updated on announcements?

Don't miss out

Free token distributions often have specific eligibility criteria and deadlines. Staying informed ensures you don't miss out on potential opportunities.

Avoid scams

The popularity of air dropping free tokens has also led to an increase in scams. Being aware of legitimate projects and their official announcement channels helps you protect yourself.

Early access

Some drops offer additional benefits or rewards to early participants. Staying updated allows you to take advantage of these exclusive offers.

How to find out about airdrops

Follow the project on social media

Most projects announce airdrops on their official Twitter, Telegram, or Discord channels.

Subscribe to newsletters

Many crypto news outlets and websites offer newsletters that highlight upcoming drops.

Join community forums

Participating in community discussions can provide insights into potential airdrops and their requirements.

Airdrops of note

The crypto world has witnessed at least $26.6 billion distributed through free token giveaways, essentially "free money" given to users of various protocols. Uniswap's 2020 airdrop, valued at a massive $6.43 billion at its peak, reigns supreme.

Apecoin takes the second spot with a $3.54 billion airdrop, rewarding Yuga Labs' community.

Decentralised exchange dYdX distributed $2 billion of their token in an airdrop which was kind of a big deal.

These three giants alone account for almost half of the top 50 airdrops' combined value.

Bonk made an entry in 2023. It was dropped to the Solana community to create activity and traction. It worked and Bonk is still a memecoin with activity around it.

Despite the bear market, 2023 witnessed more drops in the billions. Arbitrum held a $1.97 billion distribution, far surpassing the Optimism 2022 free token drop.

Celestia also had a massive free token distribution.

Conclusion: Why you should stay up-to-date

Free token distributions offer a unique opportunity to acquire free tokens and engage with exciting blockchain projects. By staying informed about announcements, you can maximize your chances of participating in legitimate drops and potentially reap the rewards.