Airdrops of cryptocurrency are an ingenious way to receive free tokens or coins, and many innovative projects use them to attract ecosystem members and grow their communities. In return, airdrop participants have been rewarded with assets. The crypto market is flourishing, and early adopters along with new entrants can expect some eye-popping airdrops in the year to come. Here are three to watch:
1. MetaMask (MASK)
The release of the MASK token has been hyped since at least March 2022, when Consensys founder Joe Lubin confirmed it. The MetaMask wallet, which Consensys owns, still has no native token. Users must interact with MetaMask features such as token deposits or exchanges to potentially qualify for the airdrop, as well as to use the prominent wallet’s bridging and liquid staking features.
As Joe Lubin mentioned that the DAO would attempt to introduce community ownership, many began to speculate that MASK might be distributed through an airdrop. To qualify, users would either buy ether from MetaMask or send tokens to their wallet addresses. If they opt for the former, they can use bank transfers, credit and debit cards, and Apple Pay.
They can use MetaMask’s swap feature to improve their chances. The wallet’s swap feature also functions as an aggregator, and the transaction comes with a 0.875% fee. Transaction volume may be among the criteria for the airdrop, so making several swaps is recommended. The criteria might include carrying out transactions over a period of a few months, which testifies to a history of engaging with the ecosystem. Performing several swaps with larger amounts might be a good idea, but the airdrop remains speculative, and swapping large amounts can be costly.
Potential airdrop participants can improve their odds by interacting with the decentralized applications of different networks. They can use their MetaMask wallets to not only swap tokens but also conduct transactions such as lending, staking, yield farming, or even buying NFTs. They need to link their MetaMask wallets to the respective dApp. For example, one can interact with OpenSea, Uniswap, and other popular dApps on Ethereum. Uniswap lets users swap ERC-20 tokens. Sushiswap, also available on Ethereum, offers staking, yield farming, and other features.
Should Consensys decide to proceed with the MASK airdrop, its significance cannot be overstated. With a crypto-friendlier regulatory environment and a pro-crypto US President like Donald Trump, 2025 could finally be the right time.
2. Pacaswap (DAG)
The Pacaswap Decentralized Exchange (DEX) token distribution, which is rumored to be coming up very soon, involves a significant allocation to $DAG and $LTX. Participants in ‘America’s Blockchain’, aka Constellation’s network will receive 90% of the initial token supply, which has no presale or VC allocation. DAG is the native token with a fixed supply on Constellation’s decentralized network, Hypergraph. It provides liquidity to the entire ecosystem. 29% of the tokens will be distributed to the DAG ecosystem; 26% to holders and 3% to the Stardust Collective, a decentralized open-source organization.
Huge opportunity to run a node on a Blockchain network ❤️🔥
— Dagnum P.I. (@Dagnum_PI) December 12, 2024
The PACASWAP Decentralized Exchange (DEX) is a L1 Blockchain that runs on-top of HGTP
Reminder that DEX token Distribution will be happening soon and allocation to $DAG & $LTX holders is significant 👌 https://t.co/VqddlnzFhl pic.twitter.com/uACrlLS8zW
Another 35% will go toward Lattice, Constellation’s DeFi and node management platform. $LTX holders will get 25% of that, and 10% will be distributed to the $LTX Treasury. 26% goes to El Paca, and the last 10% to Pacaswap DAO.
Users who want to receive rewards in $PACA create an account at lattice.is, link their X accounts and associate a valid DAG address. If they are in the Social Rank top 150, they can have $PACA airdropped directly to their Stargazer wallets.
Metagraphs, autonomous networks that can process and validate complex data from any source, play a key role in Constellation’s network. DAG token’s utility rises in proportion to the number of metagraphs that launch on the network, and it becomes scarcer. Other metagraph projects that are live on Constellation Network include the US Department of Defense’s private blockchain, Common Crawl, a ChatGPT service provider who recently launched their own metagraph, and DOR, an IoT-based foot traffic device that has contracts with brick and mortar locations such as US Military museums.
3. My Neighbor Alice (ALICE)
The second airdrop worth mentioning is the $ALICE token, which plays a crucial role in the My Neighbor Alice ecosystem. The campaign, which started on September 24, is airdropping the equivalent of $25,000 in $ALICE rewards and exclusive NFTs. Participants perform social media tasks, like reposting and commenting, and in-game tasks, like creating an avatar. Each phase of the campaign brings new challenges and chances to earn points. Rewards are given out and the competition resets, giving everyone another shot.
$ALICE makes buying, renting, and selling NFTs on the marketplace easier, bridging the gap between digital technology and the generation that remembers the catchy song. The game itself is set in the Lummelunda Archipelago, a breathtaking group of islands, each with its own narrative, resources, and untold secrets. Alice is the eponymous guide and companion on the riveting journey.
Players can buy and claim land on special occasions. The token can also be used to purchase special skills in the game and for social features, specific game content, and more. Holders can charge fees for certain features, like visiting a museum on an island. They can send ALICE tokens in chats with neighbors, fund quests, etc. Owning ALICE allows them to take part in the governance process through a DAO with proposals and voting rights. The tokens are distributed to the launch pool, a private and a public sale, the ecosystem, P2E, marketing, the team, the advisors, and the Alice Foundation.
How safe are crypto airdrops?
Crypto airdrops are safe as long as the underlying ecosystem is legitimate. Unfortunately, scams and phishing are not uncommon, so it’s essential to research the airdrop and the project behind it. Potential risks include fake airdrops, high fees, security vulnerabilities, and tax issues. Scammers might lure participants with false promises, ultimately offering worthless or no tokens. If the platform is untrustworthy, requiring wallet access for the airdrop poses a security risk. Some airdrops involve paying blockchain fees, which results in losses if the tokens lack value.
Finally, being unaware of tax obligations can lead to financial or legal issues if the respective jurisdiction considers the airdropped tokens taxable income. Use official project platforms, don’t share private keys, and be cautious of unusual requests.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
