Airdrop Aren't Going Away—They're Just Harder: How the 2025 Rule Rewards Real Engagement

Some believe that the golden era of crypto airdrop has passed, while others believe they still have potential, albeit with developed methods.

Crypto airdrop in 2025 requires more investment than just waiting for luck.

The golden era of crypto airdrop has ended

In the cryptocurrency market, airdrops were once the primary strategy for projects to attract users by generously distributing tokens in exchange for community participation 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 disappointment among airdrop participants, as eligibility criteria became stricter and rewards less attractive.

"The hard truth: The golden era of airdrop is dead," Bleezysmart stated.

This perspective has some merit. Previously, projects like Uniswap and Optimism distributed tokens worth thousands of dollars through airdrops, reaching millions of users. However, in 2025, many realize that airdrop "farming" is no longer as simple as before.

X user HommiesDrey even declared that Binance Alpha—a program supporting new projects—has "permanently destroyed airdrop" by changing how projects interact with the community, making airdrop earnings more difficult.

In fact, the number of projects introduced through Binance Alpha has increased significantly recently.

Airdrop is not dead

Despite the pessimism, many in the crypto community still believe airdrops have potential, although the approach has changed.

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 numbers show that airdrop remains an important strategy for projects to distribute tokens and attract users, though no longer at the "golden" peak.

"Airdrop farming is not dead. It's just harder," affirmed X user cyrilXBT.

This view is shared by farmercist_eth, who stated, "Airdrop is always dead until the next big wave." These perspectives suggest that airdrop hasn't disappeared but has entered a new phase where participants need strategy and patience to receive valuable rewards. Instead of mass token distribution, projects now focus on rewarding users who provide real value, such as product testing or community building contributions.

Just changing the "rules"

X user OlimpioCrypto provided insights into the crypto airdrop landscape. According to them, the broader airdrop context has evolved. Projects now apply more complex criteria, like point systems, to assess user participation.

This makes earning from airdrops more challenging but doesn't mean the "game" is over.

"Airdrop is dead. Airdrop lives forever. I would say, the airdrop landscape has changed," OlimpioCrypto declared.

X user Crypto with Khan agreed.

"Airdrop is dead? No! The era of easy money might be over, but that doesn't mean the game is finished. Now, you need an edge to stay ahead of the crowd," Khan emphasized.

Instead, projects are adopting more creative ways to interact with 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 potential rewards remain attractive to those who adapt.

Airdrop in 2025 is clearly entering a new phase. The era of easy money has passed, but opportunities still exist for those who can adjust. To succeed in today's airdrop landscape, users must apply smarter strategies and always be ready to adapt. Understanding how modern airdrops work and being prepared to navigate market changes is key to thriving in this field.