Airdrops and Retrodrops in DeFi

Module 3.4 Airdrops and Retrodrops in DeFi

Aqua Protocol (Stablecoin on TON)
4 min readMar 22, 2024

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Airdrops and retrodrops play a crucial role in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, providing not only a means for distributing tokens among the community but also encouraging active participation and engagement. They serve as both a marketing tool and a method of rewarding loyalty to the project.

Airdrops in DeFi: Mechanisms and Strategies

Airdrops involve the free distribution of project tokens to blockchain users. This strategy is utilized to attract attention to the project, increase its user base, and stimulate transactional activity within the network. In the DeFi sector, airdrops often require users to perform certain actions, such as participating in votes, providing liquidity, or completing other tasks that contribute to ecosystem development.

Retrodrops: Rewarding Early Users

Retrodrops are a form of airdrops where projects reward their early users and contributors for their involvement in testing, development, and support of the project before a certain date. This not only serves as a reward for loyalty but also as a way to show appreciation for early participation, which often plays a key role in a project’s success.

Strategies and Dangers

For successful participation in airdrops and retrodrops, users need to be well-informed about current and upcoming events in DeFi. However, it’s important to be cautious and avoid scam airdrops that could jeopardize the security of their assets. Careful verification of projects and official communication channels is key to safe participation in airdrops.

The Role of Airdrops and Retrodrops in the Growth of DeFi

Airdrops and retrodrops are not just marketing tools; they play a significant role in distributing power and governance among the community, promoting decentralization, and strengthening the ecosystem. They also motivate users to interact more actively with DeFi projects, fostering a deeper understanding and adaptation of new technologies.

Quest Platforms

One of the most popular platforms where projects post tasks for participating in airdrops and retrodrops is Zealy. This platform offers users a convenient interface to track available events and complete tasks to receive tokens. In the TON ecosystem, for instance, the Ton Foundation uses the Community BOT to organize and conduct activities with the community and projects.

Ways to Participate in Airdrops and Retrodrops

1/3 Active Users:

The Heart of DeFi Projects One of the most valuable types of participants for projects are active users. These participants are genuinely interested in the product, use its features, and contribute to the community. Their activity may include providing liquidity, participating in DAO votes, interacting with various applications within the ecosystem, and other forms of active participation. When such users receive an airdrop or retrodrop, it not only acts as a reward for their contribution but also as an incentive for further participation and interaction with the project.

2/3 Manual Participants:

In Search of Gain The next category of participants are those who manually participate in airdrops and retrodrops without a sincere interest in the project itself. These participants may fulfill the necessary conditions to receive tokens, such as subscribing to the project’s social media, reposts, and filling out forms, but their primary motivation is to receive free tokens, not to use or support the product. While this type of participation helps increase the project’s visibility, it does not always translate into long-term activity or user loyalty.

3/3 Bot Operators:

High Risk and Questionable Ethics Botting involves using automated programs (bots) to participate in airdrops and retrodrops. This approach allows for the creation and use of multiple accounts to maximize the chances of receiving tokens. However, many projects view botting as undesirable activity, as it distorts the idea of fair token distribution among real users and introduces inauthentic activity into the ecosystem. Projects often take measures to identify and exclude bots, which not only jeopardizes the receipt of an airdrop but can also lead to account blocking.

Conclusion

Airdrops and retrodrops remain a significant part of the DeFi ecosystem, supporting not only the growth and dissemination of new projects but also stimulating community activity and engagement. Successful participation in these events requires users to stay informed about the latest news and to exhibit vigilance and critical thinking to protect their interests and assets.

Different methods of participating in airdrops and retrodrops offer users a variety of strategies for engaging with DeFi projects. However, projects value and reward those who demonstrate genuine interest and activity, contributing to the development and growth of the ecosystem.

This course was prepared by Julia Palamarchuk (co-founder of Aqua Protocol — the first CDP stablecoin on the TON blockchain, over-collateralized by liquid staking tokens).

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Aqua Protocol (Stablecoin on TON)

AquaUSD is the first TON-native decentralised over-collaterized interest-bearing stablecoin backed by liquid-staked assets