Top Solana airdrops in 2024

Airdrops are like treasure hunts in the crypto world, and everyone is eager to get their hands on free crypto tokens. Among the fastest ways to obtain them, airdrops stand out.

In 2024, the airdrop scene is booming, with Solana ecosystem airdrops leading the charge. This article will explore the best upcoming Solana (SOL) airdrops, explain how they work, and guide you on how to get involved in these exciting opportunities in 2024.

What is an airdrop?

Airdrops are a popular marketing tactic where blockchain projects distribute free crypto tokens to announce their presence and attract attention from cryptocurrency investors. The underlying goal of these giveaways is straightforward: to build a community, generate excitement, and promote decentralization of token ownership.

Each cryptocurrency project typically sets its own criteria for qualifying for an airdrop. Some projects ask participants to complete tasks like following them on social media, sharing posts, or engaging with their online content to help expand their visibility. Other projects may require users to interact directly with their platform, such as connecting a cryptocurrency wallet or using a particular service. Once these actions are completed, the progress is tracked, and tokens are airdropped to the participant’s wallet on the designated airdrop date.

Why are Solana airdrops popular?

Solana airdrops have become increasingly popular compared to other blockchain projects, largely due to the success of past airdrops on the platform.

A prime example is the Jito airdrop that took place in December 2023. Jito, a DeFi platform within the Solana ecosystem, distributed $225 million worth of JTO tokens to Solana users globally. Another standout event was the Bonk airdrop, a Solana-based meme coin, which at its peak in December 2023, was valued at $1.3 billion.

What sets Solana apart, beyond its history of successful airdrops, is its low transaction fees. While platforms like Ethereum often face sky-high gas fees during periods of high network congestion, which can make airdrops less rewarding for participants, Solana’s fast transaction speeds and minimal fees make it a far more attractive option. This low-cost, high-speed infrastructure has enabled successful airdrops for projects like Raydium, Star Atlas, and many others within the Solana ecosystem.

With that in mind, it’s clear that Solana airdrops are not only gaining popularity but are also a highly efficient way for users to claim free tokens. Now, let’s dive into how airdrops work on the Solana platform and what you need to do to participate in them

How do Solana airdrops work?

Solana airdrops follow a similar process to airdrops on other blockchain platforms, but what sets them apart is Solana’s low transaction fees and high-speed transactions, which make it more appealing to both projects and users. These advantages have led to more developers choosing Solana for their airdrop campaigns. Here’s how a typical Solana airdrop generally works:

1. Eligibility criteria

Cryptocurrency projects typically publish the eligibility requirements for their airdrops on their official website and/or social media channels. These criteria could involve holding a specific amount of Solana tokens or completing a series of tasks designed to promote the project on social media platforms. Regardless of the specific requirements, it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and complete all tasks as outlined in order to fully qualify for the airdrop when it’s released.

2. Snapshot time

In addition to outlining the eligibility criteria, a cryptocurrency project will also announce the snapshot time. This is the moment when the system records the wallet addresses that meet the airdrop requirements.

For instance, if a project specifies that you need to hold 2 SOL in your wallet to qualify for the airdrop, you must maintain that balance until the snapshot deadline has passed. If you withdraw your 2 SOL before the specified date, you will no longer be eligible to receive the airdrop.

3. Token distribution

4. Airdrop claim

Once the snapshot has been taken, the project will announce that the airdrop is live and available for eligible users to claim. While many Solana-based projects automatically distribute tokens to the qualifying wallets, some projects may require you to visit their website or connect your wallet to a specific decentralized application (dApp) to claim your airdrop tokens.

5. Trading the tokens

After users have claimed their tokens, they can either hold them in their wallet or trade the token on a crypto exchange when it becomes available for trading.

Top Solana airdrops to watch in 2024

There are many Solana airdrops to expect in 2024, but here are the top three to look out for:

1. Kamino

Kamino is the largest lending platform on the Solana blockchain, boasting a Total Value Locked (TVL) of $1.598 billion as of the time of writing. The platform allows users to borrow USDT by depositing their SOL tokens, and it also rewards participants with points for completing transaction tasks.

Every three months, Kamino distributes KMNO tokens to active users based on the amount of liquidity they contribute to the platform. By providing liquidity with KMNO tokens, users can earn rewards and market-making fees.

In August 2024, Kamino wrapped up its Season 2 airdrop, allocating 3.5% of its total token supply for rewards to the community.

Season 3 of Kamino is currently underway, and while specific details about the airdrop have yet to be revealed, the project is aiming for a $10 billion valuation this season. This suggests that similar airdrop opportunities could be available, offering potential rewards for active participants, just as in previous seasons.

2. Meteora

Meteora is a decentralized finance (DeFi) project built on the Solana blockchain, offering innovative dynamic liquidity protocols.

Although an official airdrop announcement has not yet been made, Meteora is currently running a points campaign that could help users secure upcoming MET tokens ahead of their official launch. As of now, Meteora points are listed on whales.markets, where users have the opportunity to buy or sell these points, positioning themselves for the anticipated MET airdrop.

Notably, popular airdrop hunter CC2 is also closely watching the project, with expectations that the Meteora airdrop will take place by the end of the year (EOY).

3. dMarqt

dMarq is an AI-powered decentralized marketplace built on the Solana blockchain, currently running a Community Tasks Campaign to reward early users ahead of its upcoming token launch. The launch is expected to take place after the Token Generation Event (TGE) in 2025.

As outlined in the project’s whitepaper, active users who engage with the platform will be eligible for an airdropped token reward. To participate and potentially qualify for the airdrop, users should visit dMarq’s Community Tasks Campaign page, connect their crypto wallet, and follow the required steps to earn rewards leading up to the official token release.

How can you stay informed about future Solana airdrops?

Timing is crucial when it comes to airdrops. Being late can mean missing out on significant rewards, especially with projects that require you to complete tasks or feature leaderboards that determine who receives the most tokens.

To stay ahead, it’s highly recommended to follow all social media channels of your desired Solana airdrop projects, including platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, Discord, and others. Additionally, actively engaging with the community of these projects ensures you don’t miss any key updates or details related to the airdrop.

There are also several tools available to help you track Solana airdrops. DappRadar, for instance, provides a useful platform for monitoring airdrops from Solana-based projects. Solana Guides is another valuable resource that lists a range of airdrop opportunities across various cryptocurrency projects. Additionally, Airdrops.io offers a list of potential Solana-based projects that may announce airdrops in the future, keeping you informed about upcoming opportunities.

What to expect from future Solana airdrops?

The future of Solana airdrops seems to be in good hands as the platform’s lower fees and fast transactions are attracting new cryptocurrency projects at a fast pace.

It is expected that future Solana projects will continue to reward its users who engage early through testnets, liquidity provisions, or completing specific tasks.

As seen with recent airdrops like Kamino and Meteora, participating in these activities and staying connected with project updates can increase the chances of receiving future tokens. With more projects launching in 2024, expect to see new and exciting opportunities for Solana airdrops.