$26.6 Billion in Crypto Was Airdropped Over 4 Years: Report

From 2020 to 2023, a surge in crypto airdrops has been observed, with the top 50, including giants like Uniswap, Apecoin, and dYdX, distributing $26.6 billion in tokens during this period.

Uniswap (UNI) took the lead, making headlines with its historic $6.43 billion airdrop on September 16, 2020. Calculated at its all-time high (ATH) token price of $42.88, this distribution became a pivotal event during DeFi Summer, reviving interest in the crypto airdrop model initially seen with Auroracoin in 2014. Uniswap’s airdrop rewarded its user base, sparking renewed enthusiasm for decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

Following closely, Apecoin (APE) executed the second-largest airdrop, dispersing $3.54 billion in tokens on March 17, 2022. Notably, this move held particular significance for Yuga Labs ecosystem participants, as it translated to receiving a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT for free, given its then-floor price.