An airdrop is when a project sends free tokensTokenA digital asset created with a smart contract on another cryptocurrency's blockchain, rather than on a blockchain of its own. to people's walletsCrypto walletAn app or device that holds the keys to your crypto and lets you receive, store and send it.. The aim is usually to promote the project, reward early users or spread ownership as widely as possible.
How does an airdrop work?
Often a snapshot of the blockchain is taken at a set time. Everyone who met the conditions at that moment, for example by having used a particular service, can then claim tokens.
A well-known example is Uniswap, a decentralised exchangeDecentralised exchange (DEX)An exchange run by smart contracts, where people swap crypto straight from their own wallets with no company in the middle.. In September 2020, every address that had used Uniswap could claim 400 UNI tokens.
What are the risks?
Airdrops are popular bait for scammers:
- Unsolicited tokens. Unknown tokens appear in your wallet, often with a link to a website where you are supposed to "claim" something valuable. The site asks you to connect your wallet and approve a transaction, which gives the scammer access to your assets.
- Fake sites. Scam sites copy well-known projects and advertise airdrops that don't exist.
- Requests for your seed phrase. No genuine airdrop ever needs your seed phraseSeed phraseA list of 12 or 24 words that backs up every key in your wallet, so whoever has the words can restore the wallet and take the crypto..
A good rule: if you weren't expecting a token, don't touch it. Don't click links, don't try to sell it and don't approve transactions you don't understand. An unknown token can't hurt you if you leave it alone.
Read more about PhishingPhishingA scam where criminals pretend to be a trusted company or authority to get you to hand over passwords, card details or your seed phrase. and how to avoid it.
Everything in Myntkaup Learn is written and regularly reviewed by the Myntkaup editorial team. It is for education and is not investment advice. Editorial policy. Updated 18 October 2026.