The crypto airdrop landscape is heating up faster than ever. In just the first two months of 2024, massive airdrops like JUP, STRK, PIXEL, DYM, ALT, and W have already made waves across the blockchain community. With over 1,000 potential airdrops expected this year, the era of strategic token farming is just beginning.
But here's the reality: not every airdrop will deliver life-changing returns. Only a select few will generate five-figure payouts. That’s why I’ve developed a comprehensive airdrop evaluation framework to rank over 100 upcoming projects — and identify the top five most promising opportunities for 2024.
Whether you're a seasoned degen or new to on-chain activity, this guide will help you focus your efforts where they matter most.
The 2024 Airdrop Evaluation Framework
With hundreds of protocols launching incentive programs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To cut through the noise, I’ve created a data-driven framework using six key metrics that determine whether an airdrop is worth your time and gas fees.
These factors aren’t arbitrary — they reflect real market dynamics and historical patterns from past successful airdrops like ARB, OP, and ENS.
1. Funding Raised
Projects backed by significant venture capital are more likely to launch tokens. Why? Because investors need an exit — and airdrops are one of the cleanest ways to distribute tokens while generating community hype.
You can use DefiLlama’s “No Token” protocols list and sort by total funding to identify well-capitalized teams. For example, Eigenlayer raised $64.5M — a strong signal of future token distribution.
2. Points Program
A public points system is one of the strongest indicators of an upcoming airdrop. While not all projects with points will airdrop (e.g., some may do public sales), most airdrops do track user activity via points.
Protocols like Ethena and Blast explicitly reward users through points, making them prime candidates.
👉 Discover which platforms are quietly tracking your on-chain activity for future rewards.
3. Total Value Locked (TVL)
High TVL often correlates with high-profile airdrops. It shows product-market fit and real user engagement. However, high TVL also means more competition — which leads us to the next metric.
Protocols like Eigenlayer ($8B+ TVL) and **Blast** ($1.8B+ TVL) have massive ecosystems, increasing both their impact and potential dilution.
4. Dilution Risk
This is critical: the more wallets participating, the smaller your share.
If thousands of users are farming the same protocol, your individual payout could be minimal. A good rule of thumb? Aim to be in the top 10% of active users. Focus on early-stage projects before they go viral.
For instance, Ethena currently has only ~6,360 users — offering a rare window before mass dilution hits.
5. Momentum and Ecosystem Growth
Crypto runs on attention. In a bull market, visibility equals value.
Track momentum by monitoring weekly TVL inflows on DefiLlama > DeFi > Chains > Sort by 1M Change. Protocols gaining traction across multiple chains or integrations (like cross-chain bridges or lending markets) often get rewarded during token launches.
6. Effort-to-Reward Ratio
Let’s be honest — nobody wants to spend hours daily managing farms unless the payoff justifies it.
I categorize effort levels as follows:
- High effort: Bridging assets, complex multi-chain interactions, frequent swaps
- Low effort: Staking, liquidity provision, re-staking
Ideally, you want low-effort actions with high upside. For example, depositing ETH into Eigenlayer for re-staking requires minimal maintenance but offers massive airdrop potential.
Ranking 100 Potential 2024 Airdrops
After analyzing dozens of protocols across funding, user growth, ecosystem strength, and incentive design, I’ve compiled a ranked list of over 100 projects with strong airdrop potential in 2024.
While I can't include the full spreadsheet here, the top contenders consistently score well across all six evaluation metrics. These are the projects building real utility, attracting capital, and quietly tracking user behavior.
Key sectors represented:
- Re-staking & liquidity layer protocols
- L2 scaling solutions
- Synthetic assets and stablecoins
- Cross-chain interoperability platforms
- NFT and socialFi innovations
The full dataset evolves weekly as new protocols emerge and existing ones announce incentives.
👉 See how your current on-chain activities could qualify you for unannounced token drops.
Top 5 Airdrop Picks for 2024
Based on the framework above, here are the five most promising airdrop candidates this year — ranked by potential return, feasibility, and risk-adjusted opportunity.
1. Ethena (USDe)
Ethena Labs has taken the market by storm with its synthetic dollar protocol, USDe, built on Ethereum. Within days of launch, it attracted over $1B in delta-neutral yield strategies.
Despite rapid growth, user count remains relatively low (~6,360), reducing early dilution risk. Backed by $20.5M in funding and growing adoption across centralized exchanges, Ethena’s upcoming token launch could reward early minters and stakers significantly.
Core keywords: synthetic dollar, delta-neutral, USDe, Ethena airdrop
2. Eigenlayer
As the pioneer of re-staking, Eigenlayer allows users to re-use their staked ETH to secure other applications. With nearly $8B in TVL, it's one of the largest pre-token ecosystems in crypto history.
Backed by $64.5M in funding and integrations with dozens of modular blockchains, Eigenlayer’s token distribution is highly anticipated. Even small early contributors may see substantial payouts due to network scale.
Keywords: Eigenlayer airdrop, re-staking protocol, Ethereum layer security
3. BSquared Network (B²)
BSquared Network brings EVM-compatible Layer 2 capabilities to Bitcoin via rollup technology. This positions it at the intersection of two of crypto’s strongest narratives: Bitcoin L2s and scalable smart contracts.
The team has already airdropped incentives to over 24,000 early adopters and secured investments from major players including OKX and HashKey. With over $400M in TVL and growing developer interest, B² is poised for a major launch.
Keywords: Bitcoin Layer 2, B² Network, BTC rollup
4. Stride
Stride is a leading liquid staking platform for IBC-compatible chains like Cosmos. By staking tokens such as TIA through Stride, users receive liquid derivatives (e.g., stTIA) while earning staking rewards and STRD incentives.
With strong traction on Osmosis and Neutron, Stride’s upcoming token launch could mirror the success of other Cosmos-based airdrops like JUNO and LUNA (pre-collapse).
Keywords: liquid staking, IBC blockchain, Stride airdrop
5. Blast
Blast is an Ethereum Layer 2 with native yield for ETH and stablecoin deposits — meaning your funds earn interest automatically without additional staking steps.
In under six months, it amassed over $1.8B in TVL and raised $20M from top investors. Though user numbers are rising fast (increasing dilution), early depositors who interacted before mainnet launch remain prime candidates for generous rewards.
Keywords: Ethereum L2, native yield blockchain, Blast airdrop
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are crypto airdrops safe?
A: Many are legitimate, but scams are common. Always verify official websites and avoid sharing private keys. Never pay to claim an airdrop.
Q: How do I know if I qualified for an airdrop?
A: Use tools like airdrops.io or DefiLlama to check eligibility. Some protocols notify users via email or on-chain messages.
Q: Can I increase my airdrop rewards after the fact?
A: Usually not. Most snapshots occur without warning. Consistent early usage gives you the best chance.
Q: Is farming multiple airdrops worth the gas cost?
A: Only if you’re selective. Prioritize low-effort actions on high-potential protocols to maximize ROI.
Q: Will all projects with points programs actually launch tokens?
A: Not guaranteed. Some may pivot to public sales or abandon token plans entirely. Strong funding and team transparency improve odds.
Q: What’s the best way to track my progress across different airdrops?
A: Use portfolio trackers like DeBank or Zapper to monitor interactions. Combine with manual logs for critical actions (swaps, stakes, bridges).
Final Thoughts
Crypto airdrops remain one of the few ways to earn tokens without direct investment — but they require strategy, timing, and discipline.
The five projects highlighted here — Ethena, Eigenlayer, BSquared Network, Stride, and Blast — represent the strongest confluence of funding, user incentives, ecosystem momentum, and low-to-medium effort requirements.
Remember: this is not financial advice. Everything in crypto carries risk. Always do your own research before interacting with any protocol.
And if you're serious about maximizing your on-chain opportunities in 2024…
👉 Start tracking your eligible activities now — before the next big snapshot hits.