Free Crypto: Myth or Reality

Today, cryptocurrencies have become part of the mainstream. They're discussed on TV, in the news, on the subway, and even in taxi rides. Some people mine, others invest, and some lose money on futures trading. But some receive crypto for free. Yes, without spending any money. It may sound suspicious, especially to those accustomed to the idea that everything has a price. Yet in the crypto market, there has long been a way to receive tokens at no cost. These are airdrops and bounty programs.

Now that the market is recovering from a prolonged correction and the total crypto market cap has surpassed $2.6 trillion again, project teams are launching more marketing campaigns. Airdrops are one of the most widely used methods. This is not charity, and it is not a scam. It is a marketing strategy aimed at promoting new tokens and fostering a community. And yes, it does involve actual payments.

In the past, airdrops were often small giveaways involving questionable tokens. But now they involve real money. In 2024 alone, the total value of tokens distributed through airdrops exceeded $4B, according to public sources. It became clear that this is not just crumbs from the table but a legitimate way to participate in the crypto economy. Especially for those who have no capital but do have interest and some spare time.

What Airdrops Are and Why They Exist

An airdrop is when a project distributes its tokens to users, usually for free. Sometimes it's just for signing up. Other times, there are requirements: follow social media accounts, complete identity verification, test a product, or invite friends. Distributing tokens is part of a broader strategy to draw attention. Instead of spending on ads, teams create a reason to talk and get real users onboard.

For the project, it's an effective way to create liquidity and attract initial holders. For users, it's a chance to receive assets that might increase in value. A common example is testnet participation. A user tries out the product, gives feedback, and may later receive tokens if the project launches its mainnet.

At launch, a project needs to create a sense of presence. Tokens need to circulate. They should be in the hands of actual users, not just sitting in developer wallets. That’s why an airdrop is not a favor. It's a necessity. The user becomes part of the system, a potential investor, and a representative of the project's reputation. This is especially true for DeFi and Layer-2 solutions, where community engagement directly affects token value.

According to Dune Analytics, over 600 airdrops took place in just the first half of 2025. Each distributed between $50 000 and $5 000 000 in tokens. Some gained major attention, like Starknet, zkSync, and LayerZero. Others were quieter but still profitable for active participants.

Bounty: Getting Paid for Contributions

Bounty programs have been around since the ICO era. Back then, projects gave out tokens in exchange for help with promotion: retweets, articles, video reviews, and translations. These days, the format has matured. Bounties are no longer limited to social media. They are a structured way to reward the community for their contributions.

You can participate if you can write, film, analyze, or translate. Projects post tasks that range from meme creation to translating technical documentation. If you complete a task, you receive tokens. Some tasks are creative: making a YouTube video, talking about a product in a Telegram channel, or coming up with a slogan. The more useful your content, the more likely you are to receive a bonus.

Bounties are better suited for those willing to put in time and effort. Signing up alone won't be enough. You need to create something. But the potential rewards are higher. In 2024, active bounty participants earned an average of $200 to $800 per month in tokens, according to the Crew3 platform, with a time commitment of about 10 to 15 hours a week. Some earned significantly more, depending on the project and their involvement.

Bounty programs are especially common in Web3 projects that are building DAOs or focusing on decentralization. These projects want users to feel like part of the team. Bounties are often the gateway, helping users gain experience, become ambassadors, and, in many cases, become early-stage investors.

Where to Find Current Opportunities and How to Avoid Scams

Airdrops and bounties are appealing, but you need to be careful. Scammers are active in this space, too. They disguise themselves as legitimate projects, build convincing websites, and launch fake social media pages. They might ask you to pay a 'fee' to claim tokens, request wallet access, or try to get you to install malicious browser extensions.

To avoid this, stick to verified sources. Reliable airdrop aggregators include CoinMarketCap Airdrops, Airdrop.io, Galxe, and Layer3. These platforms feature projects that have gone through a basic vetting process. There are also major Telegram channels with manual moderation and Discord communities where current and upcoming airdrops are discussed.

Always check if a project has a website, an audit report, social media activity, and known team members. If a project has no presence on X (formerly Twitter) or fewer than 1,000 followers, it is better to steer clear. This is especially true if you are asked to send USDT or ETH for ‘verification‘.

The statistics support this caution. According to CertiK, about 18% of airdrops promoted on Telegram in 2024 were fake. So stay alert. Never enter your seed phrase under any circumstances. Legitimate projects will never ask for it.

Case Studies: Real People Earning from Airdrops

Successful airdrops are not that rare. In March 2024, users who participated in the zkSync Era testnet received between $500 and $2,500 worth of ZK tokens on average. Many had simply used bridges and decentralized apps, with no special effort. Their routine activity earned them real money.

Another example is Celestia. Their 2023 airdrop became one of the most talked-about events. Active Ethereum community members received between 200 and 700 TIA. Just a week after listing, that was worth more than $3 000. Recipients discovered the airdrop after the fact — the tokens simply appeared in their wallets.

There’s also the Arbitrum case. In spring 2023, users of Arbitrum One or Nova received tokens, averaging between $1 200 and $1 800. Some who participated in governance or voting earned even more.

These stories demonstrate that airdrops are not one-time promotions. They are part of a broader distribution mechanism. Those who are in the right place at the right time can earn significant rewards.

Platforms That Actually Distribute Crypto

There are now platforms that make it easier to earn crypto. One such example is EMCD CoinHold. This is not a traditional airdrop, but a hybrid of staking, loyalty rewards, and bonus systems. The idea is simple: you deposit an asset (like BTC or USDT), lock it for a set period, and receive tokens from the project or its partners.

It’s similar to a deposit account but in crypto form. CoinHold also offers access to extra activities. For example, when a project launches an airdrop, CoinHold users may get priority access. This is important because many airdrops now use an allowlist system — you need to secure a spot in advance.

CoinHold’s average annual return is 14%, depending on the term and asset. The platform has operated since 2020, runs verified software, and does not require deep technical knowledge from users. It’s a convenient option if you want to participate in airdrops without spending hours on Discord.

What to Consider Before Joining

Before participating in any airdrop or bounty, keep a few things in mind. First, not every token is liquid. Sometimes you receive 1,000 tokens, but there’s nowhere to trade them. Or there’s no trading at all. Always check for listings, exchanges involved, and trading volumes.

Second, many tokens come as 'locked' — they unlock after a month or even a year. This is normal, but you need to be aware in advance.

Third, taxes. In some countries, receiving airdrops is considered a taxable event, especially if the tokens gain value. It’s best to understand this beforehand. In Russia, for example, there’s no specific regulation on airdrops yet, but tax authorities may still require reporting of profits retroactively.

Finally, security. Use a separate wallet for airdrops. Do not connect your main account to unverified websites. Always read what you are signing, especially in Metamask.

Free Crypto Exists, but So Do Traps

Free cryptocurrency is real, but it comes with caveats. Airdrops and bounties are tools that projects use to build their audience, test products, and gain market traction. No investment needed, but it does require effort.

One thing matters above all: don’t take things at face value and don’t expect miracles. Crypto is not handed out 'just because'. You need to stay active, study the projects, and avoid falling for scams. But if you do everything right, even a regular user can receive tokens that later end up in CoinMarketCap’s top 50.

Now, in 2025, the market is rising again. It’s a time of new startups, fresh technologies, and emerging opportunities. And if you’re reading this, you’re already one step closer to them.