Top 9 Crypto Airdrops to Claim in March 2024
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Airdrops are ‘free’ coins or tokens distributed by a crypto project, usually to raise publicity for a new coin on the market, to promote its use, or to reward long-term holders. Some airdrops simply require you to register your crypto wallet address in order to receive the free coins, while others require tasks to be completed, such as following the crypto project on social media.
This guide reveals the 9 best crypto airdrops for 2024. Read on to discover the newest and most valuable airdrops that shouldn’t be missed.
- Buy and hold $SMOG to generate and earn airdrop points
- 35% of supply reserved for future airdrop rewards
- Viral potential after pumping over 1000%
- usdt
- Solana
- Up to 500% staking rewards
- Innovative predict-to-earn model
- Gamified green staking
- Bank Card
- usdt
- ETH
- Unique project using AI to improve security in crypto
- Over 140% APY when staking $SCOTTY tokens
- Token rewards are distributed at rate of 82.5 $SCOTTY per ETH block
- ETH
- usdt
- Bank Card
- Trending meme coin with P2E utility & staking rewards
- Price up 10x in past month, rumors of Binance listing
- 12k+ holders and growing
- Bank Card
- usdt
- ETH
- Native BSC token
- Audited by Coinsult
- Long-term rewards for holders
- bnb
- usdt
- Bank Card
- Innovative stake-to-mine project for easy BTC mining
- Presale has raised over $6.5m so far
- Over 90% staking APY during presale
- ETH
- bnb
- usdt
- +1 more
- Innovative VR & AR Gaming Project
- Aiming to Raise $15M Across 12 Rounds
- Token Holders Get Lifetime Access to VR Content
- ETH
- usdt
- Bank Card
- Fresh-out-the-packet meme token looking to 100x like PEPE and WIF
- 800,813,569 $PEEN tokens up for grabs via fair launch
- With recent bullish trend of meme crypto market, $PEEN is looking to make its mark
- ETH
- usdt
- bnb
- Daily passive staking income
- 250k giveaway participation
- Free casino credits
- usdt
- bnb
- ETH
- Trending new meme coin presale with 6.9Bn total supply
- Buy and stake $POODL to earn rewards of 12397% p/a
- 30% of the token supply has been allocated to staking
- bnb
- ETH
- usdt
- +1 more
- Innovative AI crypto casino offering staking, airdrops and custom games
- $HPLT presale has raised over $400k so far with +60M bets placed by +150k users
- Offers daily staking rewards, hype NFTs and is fully audited by Certik
- bnb
- ETH
- usdt
Best Crypto Airdrops March 2024
Let’s get straight into it – we’ll now review the best crypto airdrops available in 2024.
1. Smog – Overall Best Crypto Airdrop Giveaway
Smog ($SMOG) is our top pick for the best cryptocurrency airdrop giveaway. This new multi-chain meme token has just launched on the Jupiter DEX on Solana – and jumped by over 1,300% within 24 hours of launch. Despite being on Solana, you can still buy the token with ETH or USDT on the Smog website, and you can stake it to earn 42% APY.
To reward community members, Smog will be running one of the biggest airdrops to have taken place on the Solana blockchain. From a total supply of 1.4 billion – 490 million tokens (35% of the supply) will be distributed as airdrops.
To join the airdrop campaign, investors simply need to buy and hold $SMOG. Over time, you will start generating airdrop points. Holding tokens will also qualify you for $SMOG community bounty.
According to the Smog whitepaper, the platform will host daily, weekly, and monthly quests – giving you more opportunities to win airdrop points. The platform will reveal the value of the airdrop points sometime in the future. The goal is to conduct one of the best airdrops in the cryptocurrency space.
In the long-term, Smog aims to offer similar highs to other popular meme coins, such as Pepe Coin – which increased from a $2 million market cap to nearly $100 million. Smog also launched at a $2 million market cap – and has already surpassed a $28 million market cap, at the time of writing.
Join the Smog Telegram channel to stay updated with this new crypto airdrop campaign.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Smog | Earn airdrop points by holding $SMOG, joining quests, and following Smog on social media. | By joining the Smog community on Zealy, you can start earning the airdrop points. More information about the airdrop will be released in the coming weeks. |
2. Bitcoin Minetrix – Get $30,000 worth of Crypto Airdrops
Bitcoin Minetrix – which is considered one of the best crypto presales for 2024, is offering a huge airdrop giveaway. In a nutshell, $30,000 worth of BTCMTX tokens will be given away to 10 participants. Each winner will receive $3,000. This is a lottery-style airdrop, meaning you’ll need some ticket entries to qualify.
Fortunately, you won’t need to risk any funds to enter. Instead, you can earn free tickets by completing some simple tasks. This includes visiting the Bitcoin Minetrix website and following the project on Twitter. There are six tasks in total, each offering a ticket entry. There’s plenty of time to enter, as the airdrop draw will be made in June 2024.
Now for some information about the project. Bitcoin Minetrix is a new crypto project that is currently raising funds from investors. With over $10.4 million raised so far, Bitcoin Minetrix is creating a lot of buzz in the crypto space. The project offers an alternative to traditional Bitcoin mining. This is because users can earn Bitcoin mining rewards simply by staking BTCMTX tokens.
Those staking BTCMTX will earn credits, which can be exchanged for mining power. The credits are burned and the mining power generates Bitcoin rewards. This means there’s no requirement to own expensive mining equipment, such as ASICs and rigs.
Bitcoin Minetrix is also one of the greenest cryptocurrencies to hold. There’s no requirement to consume vast sums of energy when mining Bitcoin. What’s more, BTCMTX operates on the Ethereum blockchain, which cut its energy use by over 99% after its merge to proof-of-stake.
All that being said, there’s no requirement to buy BTCMTX to benefit from its crypto airdrop giveaway.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Bitcoin Minetrix | $30,000 worth of BTCMTX tokens will be airdropped to 10 winners, each receiving $3,000. Each winner will receive $3,00 worth of BTCMTX |
To enter the draw, you’ll need at least one ticket. You can earn tickets by completing simple tasks, such as visiting the Bitcoin Minetrix website. Six tasks are available, meaning up to six tickets per user.
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3. Scorpion Casino – $250,000 Worth of SCORP Tokens to be Airdropped
Scorpion Casino is also running one of the best crypto airdrops for 2024. This new blockchain project is revolutionizing the online casino industry through decentralized gambling. It aims to become one of the best Bitcoin casinos for licensing, payout speeds, customer service, and supported games. Scorpion Casino is currently engaged in its presale campaign, with more than $3.5 million raised so far.
To help promote the project to the masses, Scorpion Casino is running a huge crypto airdrop worth $250,000. The airdrop will distribute its native tokens, SCORP. Like many airdrops, Scorpion Casinos requires participants to complete basic tasks.
Each task enables users to earn XP. The number of XP earned depends on the specific task. Those with the most XP at the end of the campaign will earn a share of the $250,000 airdrop. Let’s explore some of the tasks you can complete to give yourself the best chance of winning.
The most basic tasks pay 50 XP each, including following Scorpion Casino on Twitter and Instagram and joining the Telegram channel. You’ll also earn 150 XP by liking and retweeting the Scorpion Casino Twitter page. You will also earn XP by purchasing SCORP tokens via the ongoing presale. This starts at 125 XP for investments up to $499.
Presale investments of $2,500 and more, get 1,500 XP, which is the highest available. More XP can be earned by completing daily tasks. For example, you’ll get 150 XP for visiting the Scorpion Casino website, and 105 XP for posting a tweet. To begin earning XP, visit the Scorpion Casino questboard on Zealy and connect a wallet.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Scorpion Casino | $250,000 worth of SCORP tokens will be airdropped to winning participants. Those with the most XP will earn a share of the pool. | Winners are determined by the number of XP earned. You can earn XP for free by completing one-time and daily tasks. Keep an eye on the Scorpion Casino Twitter to be alerted about new tasks. |
4. BRC-20 DEX – Win a Share of $20,000 in BRCDDEX and USDT Tokens
BRC-20 DEX is a new crypto project that’s building a decentralized exchange (DEX). Its DEX will specialize in BRC-20 tokens. This is an innovative token standard that enables developers to build projects on the Bitcoin network. BRC-20 DEX will also support margin trading, allowing users to invest in new tokens with leverage.
It will also support cross-chain functionality. This enables users to exchange BRC-20 tokens with those on the Binance, Ethereum, and Polygon standards. As an up-and-coming project, BRC-20 DEX is offering a crypto airdrop. The project has allocated $20,000 worth of cryptocurrencies.
Not only does this include its native token, BRCDDEX, but also USDT. The airdrop is based on a leaderboard model. Those with the most XP will earn the highest share. 500 prizes are up for grabs, with those in first place winning $1,000 worth of BRCDDEX and $1,000 in USDT.
Those in second and third place will win $1,600 and $1,200 worth of tokens, respectively. The lowest prize of $10 will be airdropped to those finishing between 201st and 500th. To start earning XP, you’ll need to visit the BRC-20 DEX questboard on Zealy. After connecting your wallet, you can earn 20 XP by visiting the BRC-20 DEX website, its Gitbook page, and reading the project’s roadmap phases.
Between 100 XP and 150 XP can be earned by visiting, following, and sharing BRC-20 DEX’s socials. Other tasks include completing quizzes, joining the BRC-20 DEX Telegram channel, and inviting other participants. BRC-20 DEX hasn’t provided a date for the airdrop conclusion, so keep an eye on its socials for updates.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
BRC-20 DEX | $20,000 worth of BRCDDEX and USDT tokens will be airdropped to winning participants. Those with the most XP will earn a share of the pool. | Winners are determined by the number of XP earned. Complete tasks to earn XP without risking any money. Keep an eye on new tasks, as more are added frequently. |
5. OKX – Instantly Earn 5 TON by Completing KYC With OKX
OKX, considered one of the best crypto exchanges, is also offering an airdrop. Although the airdrop is small, you can instantly claim 5 Toncoin (TON) – meaning you won’t need to enter a lottery or earn XP. Based on current TON/USD prices, 5 TON is worth about $11.
To complete the airdrop giveaway, you’ll first need to register an account with OKX. Next, you need to download the OKX app for iOS or Android. You’ll then be asked to complete the KYC process. This requires some government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Once your OKX account is verified, you’ll then be asked some questions about the TON ecosystem.
You can easily find the answers to each question via Google searches. And that’s it – 5 TON will be credited to your OKX wallet. You can then exchange TON for another cryptocurrency of your choosing, such as Bitcoin or Tether. Do note that the TON airdrop campaign is only valid until January 21st, 2024.
In addition, you can earn an extra 10 TON by inviting a friend to the airdrop. This can be repeated five times. OKX is also running a trading competition, with an extra 10,000 TON and 15,000 USDT up for grabs. Keep an eye on OKX’s social media channels for information on new crypto airdrops.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Toncoin (via OKX) | The leading crypto exchange, OKX, is running a crypto airdrop for Toncoin (TON). Users will earn 5 TON after completing the airdrop requirements. | To qualify, open an account with OKX and download its mobile app for iOS or Android. Complete the KYC process and answer some questions about the TON ecosystem. 5 TON will then be added to your OKX wallet. |
6. Unigraph Protocol – Complete Airdrop Tasks to Earn a Share of $20,000
Unigraph Protocol is a new blockchain innovation that enables projects to index data. This helps developers request blockchain data quickly and cost-effectively. The project is similar to the Graph, but for the BRC-20 standard. As more projects join the BRC-20 network, Unigraph Protocol could be in high demand.
Unigraph Protocol recently launched its airdrop crypto program. It has allocated $20,000 worth of GRPH and USDT across 500 places. Similar to other airdrops, Unigraph Protocol requires participants to complete tasks. In doing so, users earn XP. Tasks can be found on the Unigraph Protocol questboard via Zealy.
First, you can earn hundreds of XP by connecting with Unigraph Protocol on Twitter. This includes following and liking its page, and retweeting posts. You’ll also get 150 XP by joining the Unigraph Protocol Telegram channel. That said, you can give yourself the best chance of winning by purchasing GRPH. This will get you 1,500 XP.
Make sure the purchase is made via OKX or Unitsat. You’ll also need to send Unigraph Protocol a copy of the transaction ID. So far, more than 18,000 participants have earned XP. Therefore, competition on this crypto airdrop is fierce.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Unigraph Protocol | $20,000 worth of GRPH and USDT tokens will be airdropped to winning participants. Those with the most XP will earn a share of the pool. 500 individual prizes are up for grabs. | Winners are determined by the number of XP earned. Complete tasks to earn XP without risking any money. You can also earn 1,500 XP by purchasing GRPH. |
7. eesee – Minimum Airdrop Value of $200,000 Paid in ESE Tokens
The next airdrop to consider is eesee, which is one of the most promising cryptocurrencies from the gamification niche. The project is developing a social network that enables users to win digital assets. The seller will determine the listing price and the number of tickets available.
Users need to buy tickets to enter the draw. Once all tickets have been sold, a winner will be determined. The draw is conducted via a Chainlink VRF smart contract, ensuring complete randomness and transparency. eesee has allocated $200,000 worth of ESE to the airdrop, which is the native token backing its ecosystem.
To stand a chance of winning, you’ll first need to visit the eesee website and enter an email address to subscribe. Next, securely connect a crypto wallet. Then, you’ll need to complete some basic tasks. This includes following the eesee Twitter page.
The more tasks completed, the more points earned. At the end of the campaign, those with the most points will earn a share of the $200,000 pool. Do note that the prize pool can exceed $200,000 if the airdrop campaign is oversubscribed. The main drawback is that eesee is yet to release a date for the airdrop distribution.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
eesee | At least $200,000 worth of ESE tokens will be allocated to airdrop participants. This is a task-based airdrop, meaning users need to earn points to enter. | Visit the eesee website, enter your email address, and connect a crypto wallet. Complete tasks to earn points. The more points you earn, the greater the chance of winning a share of the airdrop pool. |
8. Scallop – Soon-to-Launch Crypto Airdrop Based on Platform Participation
Scallop is a new decentralized finance project associated with the SUI network. It enables users to deposit SUI-based tokens into a liquidity pool. Tokens are then lent to borrowers, who pay interest. This allows lenders to earn passive income on idle crypto tokens. All lending agreements are executed by decentralized smart contracts.
Not only does this protect borrowers and lenders, but also the broader Scallop ecosystem. Scallop also enables users to swap tokens instantly without needing an intermediary. Scallop will soon be launching its native ecosystem token, SCA. The tokens will be airdropped to early users.
This means you’ll need to use the Scallop platform to be eligible. If you have some spare cryptocurrencies, you can deposit them into a Scallop liquidity pool to earn interest. Make sure you use the same wallet address when engaging with the network. In doing so, you’ll be eligible for a larger share of the airdrop, as this is determined by participation.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Scallop | Scallop’s native ecosystem, SCA, will soon be launched to the public. Those participating in its ecosystem will receive SCA airdrop. More details will be announced soon. | The airdrop will allow early users to earn free SCA tokens. You’ll need to use the Scallop platform to qualify. This means lending crypto tokens to earn interest. Or borrowing tokens from a liquidity pool. |
9. BitsBank – New Decentralized Finance Platform Offering Free BTB Tokens
BitsBank is another decentralized finance project that makes our list of crypto airdrops. It comes with many features, including a fully-fledged staking tool. This covers cryptocurrencies from multiple network standards, including Tether, BNB, Pepe, Shiba Inu, Bitcoin, XRP, and Ethereum. BitsBank doubles up as a lending protocol.
After depositing collateral, users can borrow funds at interest rates of 8%. BitsBank operates in a competitive landscape, so has decided to launch a crypto airdrop campaign. This enables users to earn free BTB tokens, which are native to the project. In fact, Bitsbank has decided to allocate 15% of its total supply, amounting to 1.5 million BTB.
To qualify, you’ll first need to visit the Bitsbank website. Next, enter your wallet address. This needs to be a wallet that supports the Binance Smart Chain network, such as Trust Wallet. You’ll also need to enter your Telegram username. BitsBank will provide further information on how the airdrop distribution works after the registration period is over.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Bitsbank | Bitsbank is offering 15% of its total supply via a crypto airdrop. This amounts to 1.5 million BTB tokens, which are native to Bitsbank. | Visit the Bitsbank website and enter your wallet address and Telegram username. The wallet address must support the Binance Smart Chain. After the registration period, more information about the airdrop will be released. |
10. WUFFI – Become an Early WUFFI Adopter by Earning Points
WUFFI is a new meme coin project for gamers. Built on the WAX blockchain WUFFI works with gamification developers. It operates as the native token for third-party ecosystems, offering a solid use case for holders. As a brand-new concept, WUFFI has launched an early adopter airdrop campaign.
This enables you to WUF tokens by completing tasks. First, you’ll need to connect a wallet to the WUFFI dashboard. Next, visit the WUFFI website and follow the project on Twitter. New tasks will be added once you complete the first two. Each task earns points.
Whether or not you make the airdrop list is determined by the number of points accumulated. You’ll only have until February 1st, 2024 to complete the required tasks. After that, the winning adopters will be announced. So far, WUFFI has received more than 120,000 airdrop entries.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
WUFFI | WUF tokens will be airdropped to early adopters. Becoming an early adopter requires users to earn points by completing tasks. | Visit the WUFFI website and connect a crypto wallet. Complete tasks to earn points. The more points earned, the greater the chance of becoming an early adopter. |
11. Elios Pro – Complete Just 2 Tasks to Earn Free LIOSP Tokens
Elios Pro is developing a blockchain ecosystem that leverages artificial intelligence. It helps users engage with the decentralized finance world in several ways. This includes an automated bot that can buy and sell crypto tokens on behalf of users. It’s also developing tools to streamline the crypto mining process.
The Elios Pro network can handle up to 1,000 transactions per second, making it highly scalable. The project has just launched its airdrop campaign, allowing users to earn LIOSP tokens. The qualification process is simple. First, you’ll need to retweet a specific Elios Pro Twitter post. Details of the post can be found on the Elios Pro website.
Next, you’ll need to join the Elios Pro Telegram channel. After that, enter a wallet address that supports the Binance Smart Chain. This is the wallet that Elios Pro will airdrop the tokens. That said, the project is yet to announce how many LIOSP tokens will be airdropped to each user. This should be announced in due course.
Project | Crypto Airdrop Details | How to Claim |
Elios Pro | LIOSP tokens will be airdropped to users who complete two simple tasks. The number of airdropped tokens is yet to be announced. You have until January 30th, 2024 to complete the tasks. | Visit the Elios Pro website and share the specific Twitter post. Next, join the Elios Pro Telegram channel. Finally, enter a wallet address that supports the Binance Smart Chain and click on ‘Enroll Now’. |
What is an Airdrop in Crypto?
Now let’s explore the crypto airdrop meaning in simple terms. In a nutshell, airdrops allow users to earn free crypto tokens. Most airdrops require users to complete tasks to qualify. For example, users might need to ‘Like’ the project’s Twitter page or join its Telegram channel.
In other cases, users might qualify by engaging with the project, such as playing games or voting in polls. Some of the best crypto airdrops don’t require any activity at all. Users simply need to enter their wallet address and wait for the tokens to arrive. Either way, crypto airdrops are a win-win situation for both parties. From the perspective of the project, airdrops allow it to build exposure to the broader crypto community.
This is especially the case when users are required to ‘Like’, share, and follow social media channels. Airdrops also benefit participants, as it enables them to earn crypto tokens without needing to risk any money. Participants can then swap their tokens for another crypto asset or even cash out for fiat money.
- As the crypto market becomes more saturated, the value of airdrops continues to rise.
- For example, we mentioned that Bitcoin Mintetrix is airdropping $30,000 worth of its native token, BTCMTX.
- Scorpion Casino is offering an even bigger airdrop – $250,000 worth of SCORP tokens will be distributed to winning participants.
Some airdrops allow users to earn established cryptos. For example, BRC-20 DEX has allocated $10,000 worth of USDT. This makes it easier to exchange the tokens for money. That said, not all crypto airdrops are legitimate. Be particularly careful when connecting a wallet to the airdrop website – it could be a scam aimed at draining its contents.
What are Bounty Drops
Bounty drops are similar to crypto airdrops, as they allow users to earn free tokens without risking any money. However, bounty drops specifically require users to complete tasks to qualify. As we mentioned above, this usually requires users to engage with the crypto project’s social channels.
For example, retweeting posts or reading the project’s whitepaper. This helps the project build a community of followers and offers online greater exposure. In some cases, bounty drops offer free tokens when users find vulnerabilities. For instance, if the project’s smart contract has a weakness that could be exploited by hackers.
Types of Crypto Airdrops
There are many different types of crypto airdrops, each with its own ‘difficulty’ level. Put otherwise, while some airdrops require minimal input, others are more time-consuming. Let’s take a closer look at the different airdrop types available in 2024.
Low-Effort Crypto Airdrops
Low-effort crypto airdrops typically take seconds to complete. This often requires nothing more than a wallet address. The tokens will then be airdropped to each user that provided their wallet. Similarly, some airdrops are given to users simply for holding another crypto.
For example, as explained in an IRS memorandum, Bitcoin Cash was airdropped to all Bitcoin wallet holders in 2017. This was done on a like-for-like basis. Meaning those with 1 BTC receive 1 BCH. Low-effort airdrops are the most popular, considering they require little to no effort.
Medium-Effort Crypto Airdrops
Next, there’s medium-effort airdrops. These usually require users to complete basic tasks. For example, sharing the project’s social media posts or joining its Telegram channel. Although tasks are simple, they still require some effort. The airdrop’s framework will vary depending on the project.
For example, some have a points-based system. Users earn points every time they complete a task. Once the airdrop campaign is over, those with the most points receive the most tokens. This rewards users based on participation.
Some airdrops use a lottery-based system. Users earn ticket entries for each task they complete. The more tickets earned, the higher the chance of winning free tokens.
High-Effort Crypto Airdrops
Some crypto airdrops require a lot of effort. Not only in terms of time but financial commitment. For example, some airdrops require users to financially engage with their platform. This includes Scallop, which will airdrop tokens to early adopters. This means depositing tokens into a liquidity pool to earn interest. Or deposit collateral to borrow funds.
This type of airdrop won’t be suitable for everyone, especially those who don’t want to risk money. Some airdrops require time rather than a financial commitment. This is often the case with newly launched play-to-earn games. Users are rewarded based on how much time they spend playing. This helps increase traffic, which can attract new users.
Why are Crypto Projects and ICOs Giving Coins for Free?
Wondering why crypto projects give away coins for free? Let’s use a real-world analogy.
- Think about the last time you were given a free snack or drink at a supermarket.
- These taste tests cost the respective company money.
- However, it’s a great way for companies to promote their products and receive feedback from consumers.
This concept is similar to crypto airdrops. After all, airdrops are often run by new cryptocurrencies with limited exposure. So, offering free coins to the broader blockchain community helps new crypto projects stand out in a crowded marketplace. We found that some of the best airdrops are offered by crypto ICOs (initial coin offerings).
For example, Bitcoin Minetrix – which is revolutionizing the Bitcoin mining industry, is offering $30,000 worth of BTCMTX. Similarly, Scorpion Casino – a licensed crypto casino, is offering $250,000 worth of SCORP. Although this comes at a cost, it enables new projects to create hype. That said, airdrops aren’t only run by new projects. On the contrary, even established cryptocurrencies offer airdrops as a way to promote their ecosystems to new users. For example, although Toncoin was founded in 2018, it’s currently offering an airdrop in collaboration with OKX. This is helping the project educate users about its network.
Largest Crypto Airdrop in the History
We’ll now explore some of the biggest crypto airdrops in recent years.
- Stellar: In 2019, Stellar announced that it would be airdropping 2 billion XLM tokens. The distribution was made over 20 months. At the time, Stellar’s airdrop was valued at $120 million.
- Uniswap: One of the largest decentralized exchanges for trading volume, Uniswap, offered a huge airdrop in 2020. Anyone who used Uniswap before September 1, 2020, received 400 UNI tokens. Uniswap hit highs of almost $45 in May 2021. At its peak, this valued each airdrop at nearly $18,000. This shows that HODLing airdropped tokens can be beneficial.
- BitTorrent: Between 2019 and 2025, BitTorrent will have airdropped approximately 99 billion BTT tokens. Based on BitTorrent’s all-time high of $0.01426 in 2021, this potentially values the airdrop at over $1.4 billion.
- Arbitrum: This popular layer 2 solution completed its crypto airdrop in March 2023. It airdropped 1.162 Billion ARB tokens. Based on Arbitrum’s initial listing price of $1.18, this values the airdrop at over $1.3 billion.
- ApeCoin: Yuga Labs airdropped 150 million APE tokens in 2023 to those holding one of its two NFTs; Mutant Ape Yacht Club and Bored Ape Yacht Club. Based on ApeCoin’s all-time high of $39.40, this values the airdrop at almost $6 billion.
How to Make Money From a Crypto Airdrop
Once you receive your airdropped crypto, you’ll want to turn the tokens into money. You can only do this if the crypto tokens are already listed on an exchange. If they are, you’ll need to open an account with the respective exchange. If the airdropped tokens are listed on multiple exchanges, choose one that offers high liquidity and suitable trading pairs.
Ideally, you want to swap the tokens with a large-cap crypto like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tether. Once you’ve opened an account with the chosen exchange, you’ll need to deposit the airdropped tokens. You can do this through a wallet-to-wallet transfer. Finally, you can swap the airdropped tokens for another crypto. If your exchange supports fiat money, exchange the crypto for fiat, and withdraw the money out. All that being said, if you believe in the long-term potential of the project, it could be worth holding onto the airdropped tokens.
- For example, we mentioned earlier that Uniswap airdropped 400 UNI tokens to anyone who used the exchange before September 2020.
- When the tokens were distributed, they were worth under $4.
- Those that sold straightaway would have received about $800.
- However, those who held onto May 2021 could have cashed their 400 UNI tokens for almost $18,000.
Now, some airdropped tokens are offered by brand-new crypto projects. This means the tokens might not currently be listed on exchanges. In this instance, there’s nothing you can do until the tokens officially launch.
Crypto Airdrops and Taxes
You must consider taxes when receiving airdropped tokens. According to the IRS, crypto airdrops are treated as ordinary income. This is based on the value of the airdropped tokens when you receive them. For example, suppose you receive 100 tokens when they’re trading at $10 each. This means the fair value of the airdropped tokens is $1,000. This $1,000 should be added to your total income for the year. This will be taxed at your income rate accordingly.
Don’t Forget About Capital Gains on Crypto Airdrops
- You also need to consider capital gains when receiving airdropped tokens.
- The cost basis is the value of the tokens when you receive them.
- For example, suppose you receive 100 airdropped tokens.
- On the day you receive them, the tokens are valued at $20 each. This means the cost basis is $20.
- If you sold those 100 tokens at $30 each, you’ve made capital gains of $1,000 ($30 – $20 x 100).
How Can You Claim Airdrops?
Airdrops can be claimed in many different ways. The specific requirements will depend on the project offering the airdrop. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common airdrop methods.
Wallet Snapshot
One of the easiest ways to claim an airdrop is via a ‘wallet snapshot’. Put simply, this offers free crypto tokens to anyone holding a specific coin on a certain date. A good example of this is Bitcoin Cash. On August 1st, 2017, anyone holding Bitcoin was eligible for the airdrop. This was done on a 1:1 basis. So, if you owned 0.5 BTC in 2017, you would have received 0.5 BCH.
In theory, it would have been worth buying Bitcoin before the snapshot date just to qualify for the airdrop. However, this strategy isn’t guaranteed. After all, the value of the airdropped tokens could collapse if too many people sell at the same time. Similarly, the ApeCoin airdrop also leveraged a wallet snapshot. In this instance, those holding a Mutant Ape Yacht Club or Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT were eligible.
Investing in ICOs
Another common airdrop method is investing in ICOs. Some ICO projects incentivize investors by offering a free ticket entry to an airdrop lottery. For example, suppose the ICO allocates $100,000 of its native token to the airdrop. ICO investors receive one ticket for every $100 invested. After the ICO, the lottery will be conducted. The $100,000 pool is then airdropped to winners.
Completing Tasks
One of the most popular airdrop methods is task completion. For each task completed, users can earn points. The more points earned, the larger the share of the airdrop. Users can also be rewarded with lottery ticket entries for each task completed. The specifics vary depending on the airdrop campaign. Some of the most common airdrop tasks are listed below:
- Following the project on social media
- Liking and sharing social media posts
- Reading the project’s whitepaper and roadmap targets
- Answering questions about the project
- Joining the project’s Telegram channel
These tasks help projects increase their exposure in the crypto industry.
Joining Crypto Exchanges
Some airdrops are offered by crypto exchanges. This usually requires users to engage with the platform, such as registering an account and making a deposit. That said, one of the easiest airdrops is currently being offered by OKX. Participants earn 5 TON for downloading the OKX app, completing KYC, and answering some questions about the Toncoin ecosystem.
We should also mention the Uniswap airdrop from 2020. Each user received 400 UNI tokens, valued at $18,000 at their peak. The only requirement was to have placed at least one trade before the cut-off date.
Staking
Airdrops can also be claimed after staking tokens. You’ll need to lock the tokens for a minimum number of days, meaning they can’t be withdrawn. Once you’ve completed the staking period, you’ll be airdropped crypto tokens. This is usually the native token backing the staking platform.
How to Find Possible Airdrops Early?
There are several reasons why finding airdrops early is beneficial. For a start, some airdrops only run for a limited period. If you haven’t met the qualification requirements in time, you won’t be able to claim the airdrop. Similarly, airdrops often come with limited space. If this is on a first-come, first-serve basis, you’ll want to get in early to avoid missing out.
But how do you find upcoming airdrops early? A good place to start is airdrop listing websites. Airdrop Alert and Airdrops.io are two options to consider. You can also try CoinMarketCap, which sometimes lists upcoming airdrop campaigns. The r/airdrops subreddit is also worth joining. With over 45,000 members, projects will often post information about their upcoming airdrops.
Airdrop campaigns are often advertised on Twitter too. Try search terms like #airdrop or #cryptoairdrop. Consider searching regularly to ensure you’re one of the first to know about new airdrops.
The Risks of Crypto Airdrops
From a financial perspective, most crypto airdrops are risk-free. This is because you won’t need to risk any money to participate. And if the airdropped tokens can be sold on crypto exchanges, you’ve earned yourself some free cash. However, CNBC explained that investors should still be cautious when claiming a crypto airdrop.
For a start, some crypto airdrops require you to connect a wallet. If the airdrop is illegitimate, it might be able to extract your wallet details. If so, it could transfer all of the tokens held in the wallet. Another risk is the ‘Advanced Fee’ scam. The project might ask you to send a small amount of crypto before the tokens are airdropped.
However, you never receive any tokens. We also came across airdrop scams that ask for your wallet’s private key to verify the claim. The bad actor will then have access to your wallet and its entire contents. Never share your private keys with anyone.
Final Thoughts on Best Crypto Airdrops
In summary, airdrops are a great way to earn free crypto tokens without bearing any risk. If the tokens already trade on exchanges, you’ll be able to cash them out for real money. If not, you can HODL the airdropped tokens in the hope they one day blow up.
We found that Smog is offering one of the best crypto aidrops on the Solana blockchain. This new meme token is offering 35% of its total 1.4 billion token supply as airdrop rewards. $SMOG token holders can generate new airdrop points by holding the token, and taking part in quests.
References
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-06/ethereum-cut-its-energy-use-99-but-climate-gains-may-be-curbed
- https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/202114020.pdf
- https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/frequently-asked-questions-on-virtual-currency-transactions
- https://stellar.org/blog/foundation-news/keybase-stellar-lumens-spacedrop
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/token-airdrops-are-common-in-crypto-but-investors-should-be-cautious.html
- https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud/advance-fee-fraud
FAQs
What is airdrop in crypto?
Airdrops are a way for crypto projects to distribute free tokens to certain wallet addresses. This is usually for completing basic tasks, such as following the crypto project on social media.
Are crypto airdrops taxable?
Yes, crypto airdrops are taxable. Like many tax authorities, the IRS treats crypto airdrops as income. You’ll also need to pay capital gains tax if you sell the airdropped tokens at a higher price.
Where to find legit crypto airdrops?
To find legit crypto airdrops, it’s best to stick with trusted and established platforms. For instance, Binance and CoinMarketCap often list upcoming airdrops. You can also visit the r/airdrops subreddit.
What was the largest airdrop of 2023?
ApeCoin was one of the largest airdrops in 2023. It airdropped 150 million APE to those holding a BAYT or MAYC NFT. Based on its all-time high, this would have valued the airdropped tokens at almost $6 billion.