Airdrops Aren’t Dead—They’re Just Harder: How 2025’s Rules Reward Real Engagement

Some argue the golden era of crypto airdrops is over, while others believe they still hold potential, albeit with evolved methods.

Crypto airdrops in 2025 require more investment than just waiting for luck.

The Golden Era of Crypto Airdrops Has Ended

In the crypto market, airdrops were once a key strategy for projects to attract users by generously distributing tokens in exchange for community engagement and feedback. However, according to X user bleezysmart, some projects now prioritize venture capital (VC) and crypto exchange interests over the actual user community. This has led to frustration among airdrop participants, as eligibility criteria become stricter and rewards are less appealing than before.

“Hard truth: The golden era of airdrops is dead,” Bleezysmart stated.

This viewpoint has some validity. In the past, projects like Uniswap and Optimism distributed tokens worth thousands of USD through airdrops, reaching millions of users. However, in 2025, many find that “farming” airdrops is no longer as straightforward. 

X user HommiesDrey even claimed that Binance Alpha—a Binance program supporting new projects—has “permanently ruined airdrops” by altering how projects engage with communities, making it harder to earn from airdrops.

Indeed, the number of projects introduced via Binance Alpha has surged recently.

Airdrops Are Not Dead

Despite the pessimism, many in the crypto community believe airdrops still have potential, though their approach has shifted. 

Airdrop amount on Solana. Source: Flipside

X user data_bros shared compelling data: $558 million was distributed through airdrops on Solana in Q4 2024, followed by $341 million in Q1 2025. These figures highlight that airdrops remain a vital strategy for projects to distribute tokens and attract users, even if not at their former “golden” peak.

“Airdrop farming isn’t dead. It’s just harder,” affirmed X user cyrilXBT.

This view is echoed by farmercist_eth, who stated, “Airdrop is always dead until the next big drop.” These perspectives suggest that airdrops haven’t disappeared but have entered a new phase where participants need strategy and patience to secure valuable rewards. Instead of mass token distribution, projects now focus on rewarding users who provide genuine value, such as testing products or contributing to community building.

Just Changing “Rules”

X user OlimpioCrypto offered a nuanced take on the crypto airdrop scene. According to them, the broader context of airdrops has evolved. Projects now implement more complex criteria, such as point-based systems, to evaluate user engagement.

This makes earning from airdrops more challenging, but it doesn’t mean the “game” is over.

“Airdrops are dead. Long live airdrops. I’d say, the airdrop landscape changed,” OlimpioCrypto declared.

X user Crypto with Khan agreed.

“Airdrops are dead? No! The era of easy money might be over, but that doesn’t mean the game is. Now, you need an edge to stay ahead of the crowd,” Khan emphasized.

Instead, projects are adopting more creative ways to engage users, such as combining airdrops with activities like staking, beta testing, or social media interactions. These changes require participants to invest more time and effort, but the potential rewards remain attractive for those who adapt.

Airdrops in 2025 are clearly entering a new phase. The days of easy money are gone, but opportunities persist for those who can adjust. To succeed in today’s airdrop scene, users must adopt smarter strategies and stay adaptable. Understanding how modern airdrops work and being ready to navigate market changes are key to thriving in this space.