Airdrop
A distribution of free or claimable tokens to eligible wallets, often used to reward users or bootstrap a network.
An airdrop distributes tokens to wallets that meet defined criteria. Eligibility may be based on holding an asset at a snapshot block, using a protocol before a cutoff date, completing community tasks, or receiving tokens after a chain split.
Common airdrop types include holder airdrops, retroactive user rewards, bounty campaigns, exchange distributions, and fork-related distributions. Some are sent automatically, while others require users to connect a wallet and claim through a contract or website.
Airdrops are also used in scams. Legitimate claims should not require a seed phrase or private key, and unexpected tokens can be part of dust attacks or malicious contract interactions. Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction, so recipients may need local guidance.
Related terms
5 linkedExplore connected entries beyond the alphabetical index.
Fork
→A fork is a blockchain divergence caused by competing blocks, software changes, or incompatible consensus rules.
Wallet
→Software or hardware that manages crypto keys, creates addresses, signs transactions, and shows blockchain activity.
Token
→A digital asset issued on an existing blockchain, often representing value, rights, access, or unique ownership.
Dust
→Dust is a tiny coin or token balance that is uneconomical to spend because fees or policy rules outweigh its value.
Cryptocurrency Exchange
→A cryptocurrency exchange is a platform for buying, selling, or trading digital assets through crypto or fiat markets.
All terms and definitions may update as the Cryptionary improves.
