How to Get an Airdrop – Guide to Free Tokens
An airdrop is a free distribution of tokens by a project to its early users. Jupiter distributed 400M JUP (March 2026), Hyperliquid gave HYPE tokens to early traders, Ether.fi distributed ETHFI to stakers. Airdrop amounts for active users reached $1,000-50,000.
Types of Airdrops
Retroactive Airdrops
The most profitable. A project distributes tokens to users who already used the protocol before the announcement. To qualify, you need to actively use protocols that don't have a token yet.
Testnet Airdrops
The project asks you to test the product on a test network. You use free test coins, complete tasks, and then receive real tokens at launch.
Social Airdrops
Following on Twitter/Discord, retweets, inviting friends. Usually small amounts ($5-50), but require minimal effort.
How to Increase Your Airdrop Chances
Look for protocols without a token
Go to DeFiLlama (defillama.com/airdrops), check protocols with high TVL but no native token. These are the main airdrop candidates.
Use the protocol regularly
Not a one-time transaction, but regular use: swaps, providing liquidity, cross-chain transfers. Projects increasingly consider frequency and volume, not just the fact of usage.
Keep funds in the protocol
TVL (total value locked) is your contribution to the protocol. Many airdrops are distributed proportionally to TVL and time held.
Participate in testnets
Follow announcements on project Twitter and Discord accounts. Testnets are usually free – you only need test coins from faucets.
Use different chains
Cross-chain transfers (Ethereum – Arbitrum – Base – Solana) show that you're a real user, not a bot. Use official bridges.
Sybil attack countermeasures
Projects actively fight multi-accounting. Jupiter, LayerZero, and others have conducted purges and denied airdrops to sybils. Use one main wallet with real activity.
Where to track airdrops
DeFiLlama Airdrops (defillama.com/airdrops), project Twitter accounts, Telegram channels. We also publish current airdrops on our website in the Airdrops section and on our Telegram channel.
Beware: Scammers
- Never connect your wallet to suspicious websites
- Legitimate airdrops NEVER ask you to send crypto to receive tokens
- Before signing an approval, verify the contract on etherscan/arbiscan
- Don't click links in Telegram/Discord from strangers
- Use a separate wallet for airdrops (not your main one with large amounts)