<p>An airdrop is the free distribution of cryptocurrency tokens to selected wallet addresses, typically carried out by blockchain projects to promote adoption, reward early users, or decentralize <a href="/NewSite/encyclopedia/token/" class="ency-link">token</a> ownership. Recipients receive the tokens without making a purchase, though they may need to meet certain criteria such as holding a specific asset, completing tasks, or simply having an active wallet on a given network.</p>

<p>Airdrops matter because they can rapidly increase a token’s user base and liquidity while generating community buzz. For example, a new DeFi platform might airdrop its governance token to all addresses that interacted with its testnet, incentivizing real‑world usage and giving holders a voice in future protocol decisions.</p>