One, the essence and core value of airdrops
Airdrop refers to the act of blockchain projects distributing tokens for free to promote ecosystems and incentivize user participation. The essence is the 'precise matching of user behavior with project needs': users gain potential benefits through on-chain interactions or community contributions, while projects gain traffic, test products, or accumulate on-chain data.
Core value:
1. Low-cost wealth opportunities: Early users can obtain high-value tokens through small gas fee interactions (e.g., ARB airdrop average earnings exceed $15,000).
2. Ecological participation entry: In-depth interactions help users understand the operational logic of DeFi, NFTs, Layer2, etc., and accumulate Web3 knowledge.
3. Long-term value capture: Airdrop tokens from quality projects may become 'value targets' in bull markets (e.g., UNI token currently has a circulating market value exceeding $10 billion).
Two, full process analysis of airdrop operations
1. Preliminary preparation: Tools and account matrix
• Wallet configuration:
◦ Main wallet (cold storage): Used to hold main assets, recommended hardware wallets like Ledger, Trezor.
◦ Airdrop dedicated wallets: Create multiple MetaMask or OKX Wallet addresses, each with independent IP and device fingerprints (isolated using tools like AdsPower).
• Social trifecta:
◦ Twitter/X: Bind ENS domain names to enhance credibility, regularly post project-related tweets.
◦ Discord/Telegram: Join official communities and actively participate in discussions to avoid being identified as a bot.
• Infrastructure:
◦ On-chain browsers (Etherscan, Debank): Monitor wallet activities and authorization statuses.
◦ Gas optimization tools (Ultrasound.money): Operate during low-fee time periods.
2. Project screening: Focus on high-potential tracks
Core screening dimensions:
• Track priority: Layer2 scaling solutions (like Scroll, Base), cross-chain protocols (LayerZero), AI + blockchain (like Render Network).
• Team background verification: Query financing records through RootData (e.g., LayerZero raised $130 million, strong airdrop expectations).
• Interaction data threshold: Preferentially choose new projects with 'unsaturated interaction volumes', avoiding old protocols that have been covered by yield farmers.
Recommended potential projects for 2025:
• Initia (Cosmos ecosystem): Complete testnet staking and cross-chain tasks.
• Morph L2: Conduct at least 5 transactions on decentralized exchanges.
• Berachain: Mint testnet NFTs and participate in liquidity mining.
3. Interactive practice: From tasks to on-chain operations
Task types and strategies:
• Basic tasks: Follow on Twitter, join Discord, retweet content (short duration but low weight).
• On-chain interactions:
◦ Multi-chain coverage: Stay active on Ethereum mainnet, Arbitrum, Optimism, and other networks.
◦ In-depth interactions: Complete the full process of trading on DEX → staking tokens → providing liquidity → cross-chain.
• Testnet participation:
◦ Claim test tokens (from zkSync, Scroll official faucet).
◦ Deploy smart contracts or execute high-frequency trading (projects often screen technical users this way).
Cost control techniques:
• Use Layer2 networks (like Arbitrum Nova) to reduce gas fees to below $0.01.
• Batch operations: Focus on executing 10-20 trades during gas low periods.
4. Airdrop claiming and asset management
• Tracking tools:
◦ Earni.fi: Automatically scan wallet addresses for airdrop eligibility.
◦ Layer3 platforms: Integrate multiple project entry points to avoid omissions.
• Monetization strategies:
◦ Small airdrops: Instant exchange for stablecoins through OKX exchange.
◦ High-potential tokens: Transfer to cold wallets for long-term holding, set price alerts.
Three, risk control and compliance points
1. Safety red lines:
◦ Never disclose mnemonic phrases or private keys; regularly clean redundant authorizations using Revoke.cash.
◦ Beware of phishing airdrops (like fake LayerZero websites that lure users to connect wallets).
2. Anti-witch strategy:
◦ Use independent IPs, device fingerprints, and social accounts for multiple accounts.
◦ Simulate real user behavior: Interaction intervals over 24 hours, transaction amounts randomly distributed.
3. Tax compliance:
◦ US users must declare airdrop tokens as income at the market price at the time of receipt.
◦ Use Koinly tools to generate tax reports, distinguishing between short-term trades and long-term holdings.
Four, case review and future trends
Classic cases:
• Arbitrum airdrop: Users need to complete at least 5 cross-chain transactions before the snapshot, with a maximum reward of 15,000 ARB (worth about $30,000).
• Blast ecosystem airdrop: Users who participated in early testnet staking will receive token rewards, with returns up to 10 times the initial investment.
Trend prediction for 2025:
• AI-enabled airdrop mechanisms: Projects can accurately identify 'real contributors' through on-chain data analysis models.
• Rise of social tasks: Content creation is required on Web3 social platforms like Farcaster and Lens Protocol to qualify.
Conclusion
Airdrops are both an opportunity game and a cognitive competition. The key to success lies in: refined operations (multiple accounts + low cost), foresight in tracks (betting on Layer3 and AI tracks), and risk awareness (security and compliance as dual bottom lines). It is recommended for beginners to start with testnet interactions and gradually build a 'tool library - data model - community resources' integrated system to capture excess returns in the airdrop red sea.