When working with airdrop eligibility, the set of rules that decide who receives a free token distribution. Also known as airdrop qualification, it shapes who can claim airdropped assets in the crypto world.
A crypto airdrop, a promotional giveaway of tokens to a community is only as fair as its eligibility framework. airdrop eligibility determines who gets the free tokens, while the chosen token distribution, the method used to allocate tokens among qualified participants influences market impact. In short, eligibility criteria direct the flow of tokens, and the distribution model decides how that flow looks on chain.
Most projects base eligibility on three core attributes: wallet ownership, community activity, and identity verification. Holding a wallet that was active during a snapshot date is the simplest rule—if your address appears in the blockchain ledger at the cut‑off, you qualify. Some projects add a KYC step to comply with regulations; this introduces an identity verification layer that filters out bots. Finally, many airdrops reward social actions like retweeting, joining a Discord, or completing a bounty. These eligibility criteria, the specific requirements participants must meet create a mix of on‑chain and off‑chain signals that decide who gets the free tokens.
Understanding how a project snapshots its data is crucial. A snapshot records the state of the blockchain at a precise block height. If a project uses a “snapshot‑only” model, you just need a qualifying balance at that block. If it combines snapshot data with off‑chain activity, you’ll need to complete those tasks before the deadline. The choice of snapshot timing can make or break your chance—some projects pick high‑traffic periods to capture a broader audience, while others use quieter windows to target early adopters.
Token distribution methods also affect your eventual reward. A uniform distribution gives each qualified address the same amount, which is great for fairness but can dilute value if many participants qualify. A proportional distribution allocates tokens based on the size of each wallet’s holdings at the snapshot, rewarding larger investors. Some projects use a hybrid model—small bonuses for activity plus a proportional share for holdings. Knowing which model a project uses helps you gauge the potential payout before you spend time on the eligibility tasks.
Claiming an airdrop can be straightforward, but it’s easy to miss steps. Usually, after the eligibility window closes, the project opens a claim portal or a smart‑contract function. You’ll need to connect your wallet, sign a transaction, and sometimes pay a small gas fee. If the claim process requires a token swap or staking before you receive the airdrop, be sure to read the fine print. Missing a claim deadline means you lose the reward forever, because most airdrops don’t roll over.
Scams abound in the airdrop space. Fake sites mimic official claim pages, asking for private keys or asking you to send funds to “unlock” your reward. Always verify the source: check the project's official Twitter, Discord, or website, and confirm the contract address on a block explorer. Legitimate airdrops never ask for your private key and typically have a clear, verifiable smart‑contract address. Keeping your eligibility information safe is part of protecting your overall crypto portfolio.
Several tools can simplify the eligibility hunt. Airdrop trackers aggregate upcoming giveaways, list required steps, and often indicate whether a snapshot is live. Blockchain explorers let you see when a snapshot occurred and whether your address was included. Combining these resources with the project’s official announcements gives you a reliable roadmap to qualify and claim.
The posts below dive deep into real‑world examples—like the Bitspawn (SPWN) airdrop on Solana, the HyperGraph (HGT) eligibility rules, and the Landshare (LAND) launchpad giveaway. You’ll find step‑by‑step claim guides, tokenomics breakdowns, and tips to avoid common pitfalls. Browse the collection to see how the concepts discussed here play out across different projects and blockchains.