8 Best Crypto Airdrops in History
Key Takeaways
- Crypto airdrops distribute free tokens to build awareness, reward loyal users, and grow Web3 communities. They are often linked to active participation or early adoption.
- Notable airdrops like Uniswap, ENS, and Arbitrum succeeded by rewarding engagement, aligning with strong communities, and offering tokens with governance or utility functions.
- Successful airdrops prioritize fair distribution, clear communication, well-timed launches, and creating real token value through governance, rewards, or transactional use cases.
- Airdrops remain a powerful strategy for blockchain projects to expand reach, foster loyalty, and drive innovation within decentralized ecosystems.
When Web3 projects want to build their community and reward early adopters, they often turn to airdrops. These token distributions give free cryptocurrency to users who meet specific criteria, like using the platform or holding certain assets. While thousands of projects have launched airdrops since 2014, approximately 88% have failed, according to AICoin. Many have also had controversial releases. However, a few stand out for their innovative approaches and massive value creation for participants.
Let’s explore the most impactful crypto airdrops in history and explain why they succeeded.
8 Best Crypto Airdrops in History
| Project | Token Ticker | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Uniswap | UNI | 2020 |
| ENS | ENS | 2021 |
| ApeCoin | APE | 2022 |
| Arbitrum | ARB | 2023 |
| Bonk | BONK | 2022 |
| Optimism | OP | 2022 |
| Worldcoin | WLD | 2023 |
| dYdX | DYDX | 2021 |
Uniswap – UNI – 2020
Uniswap is one of the leading decentralized exchanges, allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies without intermediaries. The platform introduced UNI as its governance token, giving holders voting rights over protocol changes and access to trading fee revenues.
The UNI airdrop made headlines when Uniswap distributed 400 UNI tokens (worth around $1,200 at launch) to every wallet that had used the platform before September 1, 2020. The airdrop captured attention because it rewarded early adopters regardless of their transaction volume or frequency. Users who had only made a single trade received tokens worth thousands of dollars. At its peak price in 2021, each airdrop was worth over $15,000.
Eligibility criteria
- Used Uniswap at least once before September 1, 2020
- Provided liquidity to any trading pool
- Held SOCKS tokens (a promotional NFT from Uniswap)
- Participated in protocol governance
The Uniswap airdrop demonstrated how rewarding early users, regardless of their engagement level, can create massive community goodwill and adoption.
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) – ENS – 2021
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) simplifies blockchain interactions by converting complex wallet addresses into human-readable names, similar to how domain names work for IP addresses. The ENS token governs the protocol’s development and treasury management.
The ENS airdrop allocated tokens to users who registered and maintained .eth domains. ENS’s retroactive qualification period made it special—anyone who had owned an ENS domain since 2017 could claim tokens. The value proposition resonated with users because ENS domains represented an actual service people actively used, not just speculative trading.
Eligibility criteria
- Owned at least one .eth domain
- Set primary ENS records
- Paid domain renewal fees
- Participated in ENS governance discussions
ENS showed that airdrops work best when they reward genuine platform engagement rather than short-term speculation.
ApeCoin – APE – 2022
ApeCoin is the governance and utility token for the Bored Ape Yacht Club ecosystem, one of the most valuable NFT collections. The token powers transactions in the BAYC marketplace and gives holders exclusive access to games, merchandise, and events.
The APE airdrop stood out because it rewarded NFT holders based on their collection tier. Bored Ape holders received significantly more tokens than Mutant Ape holders, creating a hierarchical distribution that reflected the existing community structure. At launch, the airdrop distributed tokens worth over $100,000 to each Bored Ape holder.
Eligibility criteria
- Held Bored and Mutant Ape Yacht Club and Bored Ape Kennel Club NFTs
- Maintained ownership through snapshot date
Through ApeCoin’s airdrop, the market saw how a clear token distribution plan can strengthen existing communities by respecting established hierarchies and ownership patterns.
Arbitrum – ARB – 2023
Arbitrum operates as a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, enabling faster and cheaper transactions while maintaining security. ARB token holders can vote on protocol upgrades and resource allocation.
ARB’s airdrop garnered attention for its comprehensive eligibility criteria that rewarded early users and active participants. The distribution considered factors like transaction volume, frequency, and duration of platform usage. Multi-factor qualification helped prevent gaming attempts and ensured tokens went to genuine users.
Eligibility criteria
- Completed transactions on Arbitrum
- Bridged assets to Arbitrum
- Used multiple Arbitrum applications
- Maintained consistent activity over time
- Demonstrated cross-chain presence
Arbitrum’s airdrop showed the importance of sophisticated qualification metrics to identify and reward authentic community members.
Bonk – BONK – 2022
BONK emerged as Solana‘s first dog-themed memecoin, aiming to unite the ecosystem’s fragmented communities. The token gained popularity for its inclusive distribution and community-driven approach.
Solana NFT holders, developers, and artists received BONK tokens during the airdrop, creating an instant broad-based community. The airdrop allocated different amounts based on contribution type, with developers receiving larger shares than regular NFT holders. This approach helped bootstrap both liquidity and community engagement simultaneously.
Eligibility criteria
- Held Solana NFTs
- Contributed to Solana development
- Created art or content for Solana
- Participated in Solana DeFi protocols
Airdrops can unify ecosystem participants and create shared incentives for growth, as shown in BONK’s experience.
Optimism – OP – 2022
Optimism provides another Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum. It focuses on maintaining Ethereum’s security while reducing transaction costs. The OP token governs protocol development and resource allocation.
The OP airdrop introduced Citizens’ House, a novel governance structure that rewarded early users and active participants. The distribution occurred in multiple phases, each targeting different user behaviors, preventing immediate selling pressure and encouraging long-term participation.
Eligibility criteria
- Used Optimism before June 23, 2021
- Bridged assets to Optimism
- Participated in DAO governance
- Made multiple transactions
- Demonstrated consistent platform usage
Optimism proved that phased distribution and governance integration can create more sustainable token economies.
Worldcoin – WLD – 2023
Worldcoin aims to create a globally inclusive financial system through biometric verification and universal basic income. WLD tokens power the network’s governance and economic activities.
The WLD airdrop made headlines for its unique verification requirement – users needed to complete an iris scan using the project’s Orb device. Worldcoin required high-security verification to ensure one-person-one-account distribution; however, the format sparked privacy debates. The airdrop allocated tokens based on verification timing and referral activities.
Eligibility criteria
- Completed iris scan verification
- Referred new users
- Participated in early testing
- Maintained active World App usage
- Engaged with community initiatives
Worldcoin demonstrated how innovative verification methods can prevent airdrop farming while raising important discussions about privacy.
dYdX – DYDX – 2021
dYdX is a decentralized derivatives exchange that allows users to trade perpetual contracts with leverage. The DYDX token governs protocol parameters and fee distributions.
The DYDX airdrop rewarded users based on their trading volume, providing larger allocations to more active traders. The distribution also considered trading frequency and account age, creating a fair system recognizing large and consistent traders.
Eligibility criteria
- Completed trades before July 26, 2021
- Maintained minimum trading volume
- Used multiple trading pairs
- Demonstrated consistent activity
- Avoided liquidations
dYdX showed how activity-based distribution can align token ownership with platform expertise.
What Makes an Airdrop Successful?
Not all airdrops are equal. Some fade into obscurity, while others leave a lasting legacy. So, what sets the great ones apart? Let’s break it down:
- Strong community alignment
- Clear utility for the token
- Generosity without excessive dilution
- Timely execution
- Broad and transparent communication
Strong Community Alignment
Airdrops tied to passionate and active communities tend to perform better. Projects like ApeCoin and Bonk tapped into their audiences effectively by rewarding core contributors.
Clear Utility for the Token
Tokens with real use cases within an ecosystem—like governance, rewards, or transaction support—tend to hold value. This ensures recipients remain interested beyond the initial hype.
Generosity Without Excessive Dilution
Balancing the value of the airdrop with the need to preserve long-term scarcity is key. Uniswap and ENS executed this balance well, offering meaningful rewards without flooding the market.
Timely Execution
Airdrops that reward early users or coincide with major platform updates create a buzz. Arbitrum’s and Optimism’s well-timed events stand out as prime examples.
Broad and Transparent Communication
Ensuring users know about the airdrop and how to qualify builds trust and drives participation. Stellar and ENS excelled at educating their communities about the process.
Closing Thoughts
Crypto airdrops have matured from basic giveaways into sophisticated community-building instruments. Projects now design distribution systems that reward genuine users and create lasting value through careful tokenomics. The best airdrops blend fair distribution with meaningful utility, helping projects grow powerful communities while giving participants real reasons to stay engaged. For crypto newcomers and veterans, airdrops remain a practical pathway to participate in promising crypto projects.
