Most Anticipated Airdrops and Retrodrops in 2024

Kairon Labs
5 min readNov 21, 2023

In our previous blog post, we wrote about the top 5 most anticipated airdrops for 2023, which can be read here. Although we did anticipate that these would be released this year, we all know that 2023 presented challenges within the cryptocurrency sector, which perhaps urged some of these projects to postpone or delay their token release.

However, there are still various projects initiating notable airdrops that garnered significant interest within the community and potentially augmented investors’ portfolios. It is essential to recognize that these airdrops transcended beyond mere distribution of complimentary tokens; they marked critical junctures in the development of these projects and potentially reflected the robustness of their respective communities.

Let’s explore some of these standout moments:

TOP 3 AIRDROPS OF 2023

1. ARBITRUM — $ARB

Arbitrum, with its layer 2 solution for Ethereum, took a significant leap in improving smart contract capabilities. Launching its ARB token and the subsequent airdrop was a landmark event. Allocating 1.162 billion ARB tokens to its early users, this airdrop was one of the largest in terms of scale and impact.

2. CELESTIA — $TIA

Celestia’s innovative approach to blockchain scalability, focusing on a modular design, was a game-changer. The airdrop of 60 million TIA tokens to users of various platforms and contributors was a testament to its commitment to fostering a diverse and engaged community.

3. PYTH NETWORK — $PYTH

As an oracle network, Pyth Network played a crucial role in providing accurate financial market data. Its decision to airdrop 600 million PYTH tokens to a wide range of users underscored its role as a key player in the blockchain ecosystem.

MOST ANTICIPATED AIRDROPS OF 2024

As the calendar flips to 2024, the crypto community is buzzing with anticipation over potential airdrops from groundbreaking projects such as Zksync, Starknet, and Layer Zero. These innovative platforms aren’t just pushing technological boundaries; they’re poised to inject fresh vitality into the crypto ecosystem, offering new avenues for participation and investment.

1. ZKSYNC: THE FUTURE OF SCALABLE TRANSACTIONS

zkSync, a ZK rollup, stands out as a trustless protocol enhancing Ethereum transactions with scalability and cost-efficiency. By moving most computation and data storage off-chain, while ensuring the security level of Ethereum, zkSync presents a revolutionary approach to transaction processing.

Funding & Potential Airdrop: With $458 million raised from top-tier investors, zkSync has hinted at a future native token launch. Engaging with their mainnet and testnet regularly could place you in a favorable position for an airdrop. Pro tip: transact frequently, perhaps monthly or weekly, to boost your eligibility.

2. STARKNET: UNLEASHING UNLIMITED DAPP SCALABILITY

StarkNet, a decentralized Validity-Rollup, is an L2 network over Ethereum, propelling dApps towards unlimited computational scalability. Leveraging STARK, the most secure and scalable cryptographic proof system, StarkNet doesn’t compromise on Ethereum’s security and composability.

Funding & Airdrop Details: With $273M in funding, StarkNet has confirmed the launch of its STRK token. A significant portion of the total supply is earmarked for end users and developers of StarkNet-based dApps. If you’ve engaged with dApps like dydx, Immutable, Celer, and others on StarkNet, stay alert for potential airdrop eligibility

3. LAYER ZERO: REDEFINING OMNICHAIN INTEROPERABILITY

LayerZero stands at the forefront of omnichain interoperability, specializing in seamless message passing across different chains. It emphasizes authentic, guaranteed message delivery with adaptable trust levels

Future Token Prospects: Although LayerZero currently doesn’t have its own token, its substantial funding of $173.3M from notable investors signals a strong likelihood of a future token launch. Active users of dApps built on LayerZero should keep an eye out for potential airdrop opportunities.

POSSIBLE AIRDROPS TO WATCH FOR IN 2024

  1. Base: An Ethereum L2 solution incubated by Coinbase, Base is designed for scalability and accessibility, aiming to onboard the next billion users into the crypto space. It’s built on the OP Stack in collaboration with Optimism. As Base progresses towards decentralization, there might be opportunities for early users to benefit from airdrops.
  2. EigenLayer: A unique Ethereum protocol introducing ‘restaking,’ EigenLayer allows for the extension of crypto-economic security to more applications. Users actively participating in restaking could be rewarded in future airdrops.
  3. Linea: A type 2 zkEVM, Linea replicates the Ethereum environment, promising lower transaction costs without sacrificing Ethereum’s security. Early adopters and developers might receive incentives as the platform grows.
  4. Shardeum: Shardeum brings linear scalability to EVM-based L1 through dynamic state sharding, maintaining low fees and high throughput. Active developers and users within the Shardeum network may be recognized with airdrops.
  5. Zetachain: Focused on omnichain smart contracts and messaging, Zetachain aims to revolutionize cross-chain interactions. Zetachain has hinted at launching “ZETA” tokens, with testnet users potentially eligible for airdrops.
  6. Scroll: An EVM-equivalent ZK-rollup, Scroll leverages zkEVM for efficient EVM execution, aiming to enhance the Ethereum ecosystem. Early adopters and active users may be in line for future rewards.

Staying informed about these developments is crucial. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to the scene, understanding the impact and potential of these airdrops can significantly influence your strategies and decisions. Airdrops and Retrodrops are a great way to incentivize the project’s community and perhaps a proven marketing strategy to keep people excited about their upcoming releases.

To learn more about the difference between Airdrops and Retrodrops, stay tuned for our upcoming post!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with financial experts before making investment decisions.

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