Cryptocurrency Airdrop: How They Work, Who Gets Them, and How to Avoid Scams

When you hear cryptocurrency airdrop, a free distribution of tokens to wallet holders as a marketing or community-building tactic. Also known as crypto giveaway, it’s one of the most common ways new projects attract users—but it’s also one of the most exploited by scammers. Real airdrops don’t ask for your private key, don’t require you to send crypto first, and aren’t pushed through random DMs on Twitter or Telegram. They’re usually tied to specific actions: holding a certain token, joining a community, or using a platform before launch.

Projects run airdrop eligibility, the set of rules determining who qualifies to receive free tokens to reward early adopters or loyal users. For example, Flux Protocol gave out FLUX tokens to users who had interacted with CoinMarketCap’s platform. Step Hero’s airdrop required nothing but a wallet address. Meanwhile, BDCC offered $8 in tokens just for signing up. But if a project asks you to deposit funds to "unlock" your airdrop, or promises massive returns for a tiny action, it’s almost always a trap. The crypto scams, fraudulent schemes designed to steal personal data or funds under the guise of free crypto are getting smarter—fake airdrop websites now look identical to real ones, and phishing links mimic official project pages.

Some airdrops are tied to regulatory gray zones. South Korea taxes airdrops as income, meaning you might owe up to 49.5% in taxes when you claim them. Other countries, like Iraq and China, ban crypto entirely, making even claiming an airdrop risky. And then there are the tokens with no utility—like MISSION PAWSIBLE or YMS—where the airdrop is just a way to dump tokens on unsuspecting holders. Real value comes from projects with clear use cases, active teams, and real adoption, not just free tokens with no roadmap.

You don’t need to chase every airdrop. Focus on the ones tied to exchanges you already use, wallets you trust, or protocols with transparent documentation. Check the official website, not a link someone sent you. Look at the token contract on Etherscan or BscScan. See how many holders there are. If it’s under 1,000 and the volume is under $1,000 a day, it’s not worth the risk. And never, ever share your seed phrase—even if the site says it’s "for verification."

The list below shows real cases: some airdrops that worked, others that were empty promises, and a few that were outright scams. You’ll see how RVLVR had no official airdrop, how Nomiswap used referral rewards instead, and how GateHub’s 20 XRP reserve made claiming anything feel like a trap. These aren’t just stories—they’re lessons in what to watch for next time you see "FREE TOKENS" pop up.