Definition
An airdrop is a distribution of cryptocurrency tokens to selected addresses, often intended to introduce a project, reward earlier participation, or distribute governance rights. Eligibility may depend on a recorded snapshot of balances, past application activity, or a claim process defined by the distributor. Some airdrops arrive automatically; others require the recipient to submit a transaction and pay network fees. Receiving tokens does not establish their usefulness, market value, or legitimacy. Anyone may create assets with misleading names, and unsolicited tokens can advertise malicious claim websites. A genuine distribution does not require disclosure of a wallet's private keys or recovery phrase. Claim transactions and token approvals also deserve scrutiny because they may grant spending permissions. When evaluating an airdrop, separate the mechanics of distribution from the project's economic design, transfer restrictions, vesting schedule, and the security of the contract handling the claim.
Source references
References accompanying this glossary entry:
Educational reference, not financial advice. See our financial disclaimer and editorial policy.