Cryptocurrency airdrop full process tutorial: from getting started to safe cashing out
Airdrops are an important way to obtain tokens at low cost in the cryptocurrency field, but they need to be combined with strategies and risk control. The following is a systematic tutorial covering the core links of tool preparation, opportunity screening, task execution and safe monetization:
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1. Airdrop Types and Core Logic
1. Standard Airdrop
You only need to provide your wallet address to claim it, but be wary of dust attacks (small amounts of tokens induce users to expose on-chain behavior).
2. Bounty Airdrop
It is necessary to complete tasks such as social media interaction (such as forwarding tweets) and on-chain interaction, and distribute tokens through a points system, which is suitable for early project customer acquisition.
3. Airdrop for holders
Automatic distribution based on historical holdings, such as Uniswap airdropping UNI tokens to early users.
4. Exclusive airdrop
For testnet users or active community members, high-threshold tasks need to be completed (such as submitting code contributions).
Core logic: The project party attracts users to participate in the ecosystem through token distribution, and users accumulate on-chain footprints through real interactions to increase their weight.
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2. Necessary tools and initial configuration
1. Multi-chain wallet
- MetaMask (Ethereum ecosystem), Phantom (Solana), and Trust Wallet (multi-chain compatible) are recommended.
- Security configuration: create a dedicated wallet to isolate risks, back up the mnemonics to an offline device, and enable two-factor authentication.
2. Information aggregation platform
- Screening high-potential projects: CoinMarketCap, Airdrops.io, Dune Analytics (on-chain data analysis).
- Real-time monitoring: Twitter list (follow @DefiLlama, @LayerZero_Labs, etc.), Telegram airdrop group.
3. Anti-detection tools
- Use a fingerprint browser (such as AdsPower) with a proxy IP to manage 3-5 accounts to avoid Sybil attacks.
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3. Look for high potential airdrop opportunities
1. Track Priority
- Infrastructure: Layer2 (Arbitrum, StarkNet), cross-chain protocol (LayerZero).
- Application layer: DeFi leaders (such as DEX, lending protocols), AI+blockchain projects.
2. Screening criteria
- Team background: Verify GitHub code base, audit reports (such as CertiK).
- Community activity: Discord members > 10,000, Twitter interaction rate > 5%.
3. On-chain behavior analysis
- Use DeBank and Zerion to track wallet activity and give priority to interactions with high gas consumption (such as cross-chain transactions).
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4. Task execution and weight enhancement
1. Basic tasks
- Follow official social media and join Telegram groups (weighting about 20%).
2. On-chain interaction
- Testnet operations: execute contract calls and cross-chain transfers on the project testnet (3-5 times per week).
- Mainnet interaction: provide liquidity and participate in governance voting (single gas fee is recommended to be less than US$10).
3. Long-term strategy
- High-frequency small transactions: simulate real user behavior (such as small exchanges on DEX every week).
- Multi-account collaboration: Use different IPs and devices to avoid duplicate transaction modes.
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5. Token Collection and Cashing Out Path
1. Distribution method
- Automatic issuance: Tokens are directly deposited into the wallet (need to import the contract address to view).
- Manual claim: Connect your wallet through the official website and pay the gas fee (beware of phishing websites).
2. Monetization strategy
- DEX priority: Use Uniswap and PancakeSwap to exchange for stablecoins (avoid slippage > 3%).
- Compliance withdrawal: Convert to fiat currency through exchanges such as Binance and OKX (KYC required).
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VI. Risk Control and Safety Guidelines
1. Anti-phishing attacks
- Only obtain airdrop links through the official website or trusted aggregation platforms, and disable the automatic authorization function of the wallet.
2. Asset segregation
- Use a hardware wallet (such as Ledger) to store the main assets, and the airdrop-specific wallet only retains a small amount of gas fees.
3. Law and Taxation
- Declare airdrop income as “other income” and keep transaction records in case of audit (required in some countries).
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7. Classic Cases and Strategy Optimization
- Uniswap (UNI): Early interactive users received 400 UNI (peak value $4,000), which is a revelation for deepening mainstream protocols.
- Arbitrum (ARB): The cross-chain interaction user income exceeds $1,000, proving that the Layer2 interaction weight is high.
- Optimization suggestions: Spend 70% of your time screening projects and 30% on task execution, giving priority to participating in protocols with TVL (total locked volume) > $100 million.
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Conclusion
Airdrops are a low-cost entry point into the crypto world, but you need to balance the benefits and risks. Newbies are advised to start with mainstream protocols (such as zkSync, StarkNet), and gradually master on-chain interaction and data analysis skills. Remember: "The real value lies in long-term ecological participation, not short-term arbitrage."
