![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/muratkbesiroglu/23wgoMkejRvQpY7siRJNya21dCWJYBrHnJDLsqC7BmD84SojJUietqndswNE4JJpzZxNw.png)

Between March 20-24, 2020, one of the most important airdrops in crypto history took place. I owe the fact that I am writing this article to that airdrop. If I hadn't airdropped about 10,000 Hives for the Steem coins I had, I wouldn't have had the chance to get to know the Hive ecosystem.

Considering this experience, I think that airdrops have functions far beyond being a simple marketing method. I think airdrops are one of the key mechanisms behind the unique innovativeness of the crypto market. They remind me of feasts in historical movies.

The primary function of airdrops is to ensure that a newly emerging infrastructure is used by large masses. The fact that something is given to us for free of charge is suspicious for those unfamiliar with the crypto culture. According to Metcalfe's Law, the value of a telecommunications network is proportional to the square of the number of users connected to that network. So if we've built any value-added infrastructure, airdropping that infrastructure's tokens seems logical as airdrop will speed up adoption and increase the value of the network. Although some of the tokens distributed as airdrops are sold instantly, there is also a group of people who want to keep these tokens or even buy new ones. 

From a financial perspective, airdrops stand out as an effective method of creating liquidity. Moreover, this liquidity is created without causing a spike in the supply of the original coin on which the airdrop is based.

In the marketing literature, the customer's journey is defined through 5 stages: awareness, consideration, purchase, retention, and advocacy. In recent years, it has been proven that airdrops are extremely effective tools in the fields of retention and advocacy as well as customer acquisition. Splinterlands' comprehensive airdrop program is, for example, an important loyalty program that supports Splinterland NTF and token ownership. Recently, it has become a rising trend for NFT-based DAOs to reward the loyalty of their community members using airdrop mechanisms.

# **History of Airdrops**

Many coins that are in the top 100 right now were airdropped to the relevant crypto community in the past. Uniswap, the DEFI application with the largest market value, is one of the important airdrops that have taken place 2 years ago. While it was a gift given to users of the Uniswap platform, it has reached a market value of $ 4.8 billion today.

When we go back a little further, we see that Bitcoin Cash was also airdropped to Bitcoin owners in 2017. Bittorent distributed to Tron holders is one of the important airdrop examples.

Opendao airdrop was held recently for those using the popular NFT marketplace Opensea. The value of the SOS token, which was distributed as an airdrop, has reached $ 155 million.

In addition, holders of the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs qualify for the Mutant Age Yacht Club NFT Airdrop, which has a floor price of 25 ETH. 25 ETH is still worth $62,500.

# **Hive Airdrops**
Distributed as an airdrop to Steemit community members, Hive is also a very fruitful network in terms of airdrops. Below is the list of airdrops that I have benefited from or will benefit from last year.

- I earn SPS thanks to my Splinterlands Alpha and Beta packs.

- Thanks to the POB tokens I earned by blogging, I got VYB tokens.
- Thanks to your CENT tokens, I earned CENTG and WAIV tokens.
- I earned BXT tokens thanks to my LEO tokens.
- Thanks to the two CARTEL tokens I have, I will earn 50 game-linked tokens.
- Thanks to the Hive coins I have, I will earn the tokens of the game Ragnarok. (Due date was January 6, the claim has not been made yet)
- Thanks to the Hive coins I have, I will earn SPK Network tokens. (Due date was on January 6, the claim has not been made yet)
- Thanks to the LVL tokens, I will earn NFTs of the PSYBERX game.

The list may seem overwhelming, but these are just the ones I know. There may be other airdrops that have happened in the Hive ecosystem. I've heard rumors about a new airdrop for Leo token holders. These rumors have also had an impact on my recent Leo purchases. (No official statement yet, just a possibility)

# **Making Money**

If you are reading this article, it means that you have made money from airdrops so far or will soon. Because I think the most important prerequisite to benefit from airdrops is to be in a crypto community. Thus, we can be informed about airdrops as well as innovations in the crypto field.

I mentioned airdrops above, which I usually get involved in because I have a specific coin or token. Is it possible to take advantage of airdrops without investing? Of course, it is possible to take advantage of airdrops by performing certain tasks. We can participate in airdrops through the tokens we earn by producing content on Hive. Or, by performing tasks such as following social media accounts, using a certain infrastructure, giving references, we can be included in NTF or token airdrops and get the right to participate in the NFT lotteries.

Ongoing or upcoming airdrops across the crypto market can be accessed via the link https://coinmarketcap.com/en/airdrop/. You can also benefit from https://airdrops.io/ in this regard.

Although airdrops are important sources of income, I do not find it reasonable to invest in a particular NFT or token as it will be the source of the airdrop. Well-managed coin or token ecosystems are already conducting airdrops to ensure the rapid adaption of new infrastructures and to please their community members. On the other hand, if we have the intention to invest in a specific coin, token, or NFT, the announced airdrops can speed up the purchase.

Before and after the airdrop, the price movements of the token that triggers the airdrop can create attractive trading opportunities. Before the Ragnarok and SPK Network airdrop dates, for example, I made a profit by buying and selling Hive.

# **Conclusion**

In this article, I wanted to emphasize that airdrops are one of the important enablers of innovation as well as being a source of “free money”. It helps crypto projects reach a large user base.

I believe airdropped tokens/NFTs with a meaningful story should be HODLed. 

We need to be careful where we connect our wallets. Because scammers often use phishing scenarios based on airdrops.

The crypto world is still going through a unique stage of creativity and fertility. I predict things will get much more interesting in the coming years. I feel lucky to be in the crypto game.

Thank you for reading.

**P.S.:** I produced the cover image.