An overview of the most noteworthy airdrop projects in 2023

Original source: Biteye

We have sorted out the airdrop projects worth paying attention to in 2023, categorized by different tracks.

Public Chains & L2

1. Arbitrum (Twitter @arbitrum)

One of the L2s that has not yet distributed tokens, and currently the chain with the highest TVL among L2s. During the Odyssey event in 2022, Arbitrum demonstrated its appeal to users, but the event was paused due to poor experience and has not yet resumed. We expect the Odyssey event to restart at an appropriate time in 2023, which may also become an important condition for future token distribution.

2. zkSync (Twitter @zksync)

One of the mainstream L2 solutions in the market, which may have a token distribution plan in the upcoming 2023. Interaction methods include cross-chain swaps from ETH, Gitcoin donations, minting NFTs to send to the mainnet, and answering questions on crew3.

zkSync is steadily advancing its 2.0 version, and we believe that user behavior on the mainnet may also be considered in the airdrop criteria.

3. Starknet (Twitter @StarkWareLtd)

Another highly regarded L2 besides zkSync, currently with a relatively small mainnet ecosystem, and there are still some issues with cross-chain testing and interaction experience.

However, it is highly valued as an L2, and the official has made statements regarding airdrops. Users can currently cross-chain funds from the ETH chain to Starknet via Starkgate and interact with several DEXs.

4. Aztec (Twitter @aztecnetwork)

A privacy-focused L2 Aztec, led by A16z with a $100 million financing. Zk.Money is the first application of Aztec Network, allowing users to deposit ETH or DAI into the protocol and send and purchase financial products on the privacy layer.

5. Celestia (Twitter @CelestiaOrg)

The first to propose the concept of modular blockchain, which can be subdivided into consensus layer and data layer, settlement layer and execution layer, solving the impossible triangle problem of public chains through detailed division of labor.

Celestia belongs to the Cosmos ecosystem but can actually serve as the data layer for all public chain ecosystems. The Ethereum mainnet is also moving in this direction.

The developer testnet has been launched, and those interested can try deploying light nodes or developing dapps. Ordinary users can be active in Discord and participate in community calls.

6. Scroll (Twitter @Scroll_ZKP)

Scroll is an Ethereum scaling project based on ZK rollup, dedicated to developing zkEVM, making it easier for projects on Ethereum to migrate to the Scroll chain.

The project has raised $30 million, and the zkEVM testnet is now open. Users interested can use the bridge and swap functions on the testnet.

7. Fuel (Twitter @fuellabs_)

Fuel is building the fastest execution layer in modular blockchain while ensuring security and decentralization. The three main features are:

• Parallel transactions

• FuelVM (which saves more resources compared to traditional virtual machines and is more flexible and open for developers)

• Sway language and Forc development tools, providing a better experience for developers

The project has raised $80 million, and the testnet is now open. Users interested can experience swap, add liquidity, and wallet transfers.

8. Namada (Twitter @namadanetwork)

Namada is a privacy public chain in the Cosmos ecosystem, using zk-SNARKs privacy encryption technology. It has raised $30 million, led by Polychain Capital, and the public testnet was launched on December 20. Participation methods include running full nodes, validating nodes, or making private transfers.

9. Shardeum (Twitter @shardeum)

Shardeum is an EVM-compatible public chain that achieves high throughput through dynamic sharding technology. Simply put, the more nodes there are, the higher the TPS.

The seed round raised $18.2 million, with participation from Foresight Ventures. The testnet is now open, and users can participate through interactive testnet projects (note to choose Liberty 1.x when claiming).

10. AltLayer (Twitter @alt_layer)

AltLayer is a new concept that will be publicly promoted in the second half of this year. It was previously introduced in the last week of July's weekly report regarding AltLayer's NFT, so the project is still in its early stages with many opportunities.

AltLayer aims to solve the capacity issue of a single blockchain for large-scale Web3 applications. It is designed as a modular and pluggable flash layer, automatically scaling performance when system traffic is high and exiting when traffic is low, achieving an automatic balance between energy saving and performance, perfectly adapting to market fluctuations.

DeFi

1. Opyn (Twitter @opyn_)

Opyn is a decentralized options protocol, and the on-chain derivatives track is still in its early stages. Opyn launched the Crab Strategy and Zen Bull strategies in 2022, further supporting tokens like ETH and USDC.

Users can deposit ETH or USDC into the protocol for interaction, but be aware that the principal may be lost due to different strategies and market conditions.

2. Slingshot (Twitter @SlingshotCrypto), Odos (Twitter @odosprotocol), Matcha (Twitter @matchaxyz)

Aggregators are an indispensable part of the DeFi track, and the airdrop from ParaSwap in 2021 surprised users. Users can develop a habit of using these aggregators regularly, which can reduce interaction costs and yield future airdrop expectations.

Among them, Slingshot launched an app and airdropped some NFTs, Odos introduced a series of Galxe OAT tasks, and Matcha occasionally hints at airdrops on Twitter.

3. LayerZero (Twitter @LayerZero_Labs)

LayerZero is the first trustless cross-chain interoperability protocol, with an innovative mechanism and high security, having raised $135 million from well-known institutions.

The project has certain expectations for token distribution, and it is said that users found the token name in the official code. Interaction methods include participating in projects within its ecosystem, such as Stargate, gh0stlygh0sts, Rage Trade, etc. (Note: LayerZero's lead investor includes FTX Ventures, which is a risk that everyone needs to be aware of).

4. Rage Trade (Twitter @rage_trade)

Rage Trade is a full-chain perpetual futures protocol built on the Arbitrum network, aiming to become the market's best perpetual protocol for liquidity and composability by utilizing innovative Uni v3 vault strategies to recover underutilized LPs to create deep liquidity.

The same track's dydx previously had a good airdrop, and Rage Trade is also worth paying attention to and interacting with. Interacting with Rage Trade also involves Arbitrum and LayerZero.

5. Yield (Twitter @yield)

Yield Protocol is an over-collateralized lending protocol, characterized by fixed borrowing rates for users over a certain time period (usually 3 months). The protocol was led by Paradigm with $10 million in funding and has been deployed on the Ethereum mainnet and Arbitrum. Users interested in interaction can provide liquidity and borrow on the mainnet and Arbitrum.

6. Perennial (Twitter @perenniallabs)

Perennial is a derivatives market with a Peer-to-Pool AMM model. Simply put, Makers provide liquidity to earn interest, while Takers borrow liquidity for leverage. On Perennial, Makers can also engage in leveraged operations.

As a derivatives portal, it can provide corresponding asset hedging for users and protocols in need. The seed round raised $12 million, led by Polychain Capital. The protocol has been deployed on the mainnet, supporting up to five times long and short on Ethereum. Interested users can try it out.

7. Mero (Twitter @merofinance), Brahma (Twitter @BrahmaFi), Pods (Twitter @PodsFinance)

We recommend three DeFi protocols with good investment institutions, proactive developers, and innovative solutions for interaction.

Mero solves the problem of not being able to add collateral in time during the liquidation of lending assets, allowing funds to earn mining rewards without being topped up, further releasing liquidity. Mero has raised $3.56 million led by Advanced Blockchain AG, and its developers have a close relationship with Curve. The project is currently in the second phase, and users can start interacting by connecting collateral from Aave to Mero or contributing in Discord.

Brahma innovatively proposed karma points to guide users into different risk pools (similar to a degen score). They raised $4.2 million from investors like Framework Ventures and preserved users' assets during the UST depeg in May this year, demonstrating good technology and responsibility. Users can choose risk pools based on their scores and improve their scores through deposits and social media activity.

Pods created an options vault for ETH collateral assets, stacking stETH yields to provide users with more returns. Pods has raised $5.6 million from investors including IOSG, Tomahawk, Republic, Framework Ventures, and 4RC. We anticipate that as ETH2.0 brings more collateral assets, this options vault will provide users with more choices. We recommend users to purchase stETH with low slippage and interact on Pods, which is suitable for ETH-based players.

NFT

1. Blur (Twitter @blur_io)

An NFT aggregation protocol invested by Paradigm, which distributed airdrops in the form of treasure chests to eligible users, expected to open the chests in the first quarter of 2023. The token is clearly $Blur, and users can still participate in the third round of airdrops through Bid.

2. Zora (Twitter @ourZORA)

An NFT creation platform, led by Haun Ventures, founded by former A16z investor Katie Haun, which raised $50 million. Currently, users can purchase genesis balls or create their own NFTs on Zora.

3. Tessera (Twitter @tessera)

Previously known as Fractional, it is a protocol providing liquidity solutions for NFTs by fragmenting NFTs and establishing corresponding AMM pools to provide liquidity for the fragmented tokens, thereby increasing NFT liquidity.

The project has raised $28 million in two rounds, led by Paradigm. Participation methods include purchasing fragmented tokens or selling the fragmented tokens you own.

4. PartyDAO (Twitter @prtyDAO)

PartyDAO is a platform for crowdfunding to purchase NFTs, notable for raising $16.4 million led by A16Z, with a valuation of $200 million, making it the highest-valued community-driven DAO. Users can create and participate in bids on PartyDAO's website partybid.app.

Web3 Wallets

1. Argent (Twitter @argentHQ)

Argent is a contract wallet, which differs from mnemonic phrase-generated wallets. This wallet achieves higher security through contract deployment, eliminating the hassle of losing or forgetting mnemonic phrases.

As an important entry point for Web3, wallets have huge traffic, and users can directly swap and participate in DeFi or purchase NFTs within the wallet, allowing the wallet to earn considerable fees. The market values wallets highly. Argent has completed two rounds of financing, with the B round raising $40 million.

Fabric Ventures and Metaplanet led the investment, with participation from existing investors Paradigm, Index Ventures, and Creandum, as well as strategic investors Starkware, Jump Trading, and Animoca Brands.

As a product directly interacted with by users, wallets also have decentralization requirements, so there are strong expectations for token distribution. It is recommended to register, activate the second layer, and add guardian protection features, and to purchase financial products or swap on the second layer.

2. MetaMask (Twitter @MetaMask)

As the most well-known wallet in the Web3 world, MetaMask is considered to have potential for airdrops. MetaMask currently offers swaps and cross-chain interactions for several major chains, allowing users to interact on chains with lower gas fees and participate in MetaMask meetings regularly to obtain POAPs and other attendance proofs.

When interacting with MetaMask, please pay attention to slippage and fees, as these are additional costs of interaction.

Web3 Applications

1. Cyberconnect (Twitter @CyberConnectHQ)

A highly regarded Web3 social graph protocol, with Link3 currently becoming the tool for most project parties to hold events. Users can collect CyberConnect-related NFTs, mint Link3 domain names, and participate in CyberConnect's year-end activities.

2. Lens (Twitter @LensProtocol)

Lens Protocol is an open-source social graph based on blockchain, aiming to reshape the concept of social media in the Web3 and decentralized era. Launched in early 2022, Lens Protocol has garnered high market attention due to its development by the well-known lending protocol Aave.

Users can obtain Lens through Lens's partners or purchase it directly on NFT markets like OpenSea, then experience products within the ecosystem like Lenster.

3. Golden Protocol (Twitter @Golden)

A decentralized knowledge protocol, simply put, it is the Wikipedia of Web3. Golden Protocol has raised $54.5 million in two rounds, both led by A16z.

Currently, participation methods include staking testnet points for data verification (Triple Verification) or submitting relevant information for entries.