14 May 2025

Top 5 projects with potential retroactive airdrops

Retroactive airdrop is a reward for early users who have spent money on a commission to interact with a platform.

On this page

An important feature of retroactive airdrops is that nobody knows in advance if the project is going to give its native token as a reward. However, it also affects the potential profit: projects generously reward those users who have been actively spending their money on the platform.

Keep reading to see a list of five crypto startups that could come up with  retroactive airdrops after launching native tokens:

Arbitrum

It’s the Ethereum Layer 2 solution that allows users to benefit from a cheaper and faster network. The project raised $120 million in several funding rounds. The project was backed by Uniswap, Chainlink, Polychain Capital, Coinbase, Pantera, and ill-reputed Alameda Research.

The project team announced an upcoming retroactive airdrop. Notably, a similar Layer 2 project, Optimism, distributed $1,000-1,200 per account in OP coins at the time of listing.

The Arbitrum Odyssey event in the summer of 2022 introduced users to the Arbitrum ecosystem on the blockchain. Each week, participants were rewarded with various NFTs. But  the event was suspended due to a large influx of users. Arbitrum Bridge, Arbitrum Nova, Arbitrum Adventure, Guild, DAO, and Rage Trade can be mentioned among the current applications with a theoretically increased “value”.

 Arbitrum Bridge Interface

Arbitrum Bridge Interface

Metamask

It is the dominant browser-based wallet running on the Ethereum blockchain and dozens of EVM networks. The team announced plans to launch its native token in March 2022. In light of the huge number of users, which, according to some reports, exceeds 30 million, getting  an airdrop won't be easy.

To become eligible for an airdrop, users shall make a token swap within the wallet itself, not on the DEX exchanges Metamask connects to.  It’s also important to use as many blockchains as possible. On November 9, the project launched a beta version of its cross-chain bridge, which operates on the Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche networks.

In total, Metamask raised $450 million in a funding round, led by ParaFi Capital, SoftBank Investment Advisers, Marshall Wace, and several other funds.

Metamask Bridge Interface

Metamask Bridge Interface

Layer Zero

It is an omnichain interoperability protocol that allows users to interact with decentralized applications on multiple blockchains. All dApps will exchange data through the built-in oracle and relayers.

LayerZero has raised over $135M from Sequoia Capital, a16z, Coinbase, Binance, Tiger Global, Uniswap, and PayPal Ventures. In order to avoid involvement in future FTX asset settlements, Layer Zero Labs bought out FTX's equity positions and returned the money to the platform.

A hint at the future token launch is dropped in Layer Zero documentation. Among the largest projects that could come up with airdrops in the future are Stargate Finance, Rage Trade, and Hashflow. Since the ecosystem is small, it makes sense to participate in all available activities such as liquidity transactions, voting, and borrowing.

There are also projects available on Testnet that do not require real money investments. These include LayerZero Demo Bridge, Omni X, Radiant, TofuNFT, and SushiXSwap.

A hint at the ZRO token launch is dropped in Layer Zero documentation

A hint at the ZRO token launch is dropped in Layer Zero documentation

Zk Sync

The first EVM-compatible ZK Rollup on the Ethereum public testnet. The project launched the “Baby Alpha” phase to conduct a series of stress tests without users or projects so that the team can check if the network is working properly.

According to the road map, they expect to launch the mainnet in early 2023.

The main candidate for a retroactive airdrop is Orbiter Finance. It is also important to use Argent mobile wallet, Tevaera game, Pinata NFT creator platform, and Sismo privacy project. Zk Sync was recently added to Crew3. By completing the product quiz, you will receive the zkSync Crew3 and Roadmappor roles on Discord. This can also affect your chances of getting an airdrop.

Golden

A decentralized Web3 platform that combines a crypto knowledge base and elements of Wikipedia. Golden raised over $19M from a16z, Balaji S. Srinivasan (an angel investor in Goldfinch, Near, and Avax), Immad Akhund, and James Smith.

The website activity involves filling in information: users write articles, guides, and research, for which they receive points that will later be converted into project tokens. You should create only new and unique material. The project pays 2-3 tokens for a new article, and 1-2 tokens for editing.

The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.

Articles by this author
VanEck and Securitize Launch Tokenized Fund on Four Blockchains

VanEck and Securitize Launch Tokenized Fund on Four Blockchains

VanEck and Securitize have launched VBILL, a tokenized fund offering onchain exposure to short-term Treasury bills on Avalanche, BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Solana. The minimum subscription is $100,000.

Dmytro Psevdonimenko
Thai Government to Issue $150M in G-Tokens for Retail Investors

Thai Government to Issue $150M in G-Tokens for Retail Investors

Thailand’s Finance Ministry is introducing a retail-friendly digital token worth THB 5 billion (~$150M). Unlike traditional bonds, G-Tokens aren’t debt-backed—but they’ll offer returns higher than local bank deposits.

Dmytro Psevdonimenko
Tether Launches XAUT on Maxbit: Gold-Backed Tokens Now Tradeable in Thailand

Tether Launches XAUT on Maxbit: Gold-Backed Tokens Now Tradeable in Thailand

Tether’s XAUT—each token backed 1:1 with real gold—has launched on Maxbit, letting Thai users buy, trade, and hold gold on-chain, anytime, with full transparency and Swiss custody.

Anton Kryshtal
U.S.SEC Delays Grayscale’s Solana and Litecoin ETFs, Opens Public Comment for BlackRock and Dogecoin Proposals

U.S.SEC Delays Grayscale’s Solana and Litecoin ETFs, Opens Public Comment for BlackRock and Dogecoin Proposals

The SEC delays its decision on Grayscale’s Solana and Litecoin ETFs while opening public comment periods for proposed changes to BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF and 21Shares’ Dogecoin ETF filing.

Vlad Vovk
Monica Long: How Ripple’s Quiet Force Is Redrawing Crypto’s Map

Monica Long: How Ripple’s Quiet Force Is Redrawing Crypto’s Map

Ripple’s Monica Long isn’t chasing headlines—she’s quietly building crypto’s future. From payments to tokenization, here’s how she’s reshaping finance from the inside.

Elina Moskovchuk
Top Crypto Tweets Today: Zerebro Dev Reveals He Faked His Suicide

Top Crypto Tweets Today: Zerebro Dev Reveals He Faked His Suicide

The biggest mystery in today’s Twitter/X recap is Zerebro dev Jeffy Yu, who claimed to take his life on a Pump.fun stream – but later said he faked the video to stop harassment.

Anahit Avetisyan
Top Crypto Tweets Today: Samourai Case, Curve X Hack & More

Top Crypto Tweets Today: Samourai Case, Curve X Hack & More

DOJ prosecutors reportedly suppressed key evidence in the Samourai Wallet case. Crypto lawyer Zack Shapiro shared the defense team’s hearing request on X.

Anahit Avetisyan
The Rise and Fall of Web3 Darlings: A Guide to Crypto Longevity

The Rise and Fall of Web3 Darlings: A Guide to Crypto Longevity

Most Web3 projects don’t collapse—they just stop being talked about. What makes one protocol a star and another a ghost? And why, in crypto, silence might signal transformation rather than failure?

Vlad Vovk
Beyond Profits: Understanding the Spiritual Side of Trading

Beyond Profits: Understanding the Spiritual Side of Trading

Are spiritual habits the missing link in trading psychology? For many, mindfulness and reflection offer a buffer against stress, reduce snap decisions, and aid in staying grounded through market volatility.

Vlad Vovk
How Cryptocurrency and Its Owners Are Tracked

How Cryptocurrency and Its Owners Are Tracked

Think blockchain is private? Wallets have no names and transfers seem untraceable — but that’s misleading. Discover how experts uncover wallet owners and link identities to transactions.

Vlad Vovk
The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands

The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands

A wave of regulation is sweeping the crypto world in 2025. From Washington to Brussels to Singapore, governments are setting new ground rules. What’s at stake for crypto’s next chapter?

Daryna Nesterenko
Blockchain-Based Distribution Platforms: Taking Control of Your Film’s Future

Blockchain-Based Distribution Platforms: Taking Control of Your Film’s Future

Blockchain lets filmmakers skip middlemen, control distribution, and get paid fairly. Director Markus Müller-Hahnefeld shares how it works.

Sebastian Scheplitz
Kaia: What Happens When LINE and Kakao Merge into One Blockchain

Kaia: What Happens When LINE and Kakao Merge into One Blockchain

In just half a year, Kaia has quietly racked up 20 million transactions and drawn in over 400,000 active wallets. Built directly into Asia’s most ubiquitous messaging apps, its reach now extends to nearly 300 million users—a bold blueprint for Web3 adoption.

Vlad Vovk
Bitcoin Stagnates as Ethereum Takes the Lead

Bitcoin Stagnates as Ethereum Takes the Lead

With Bitcoin stuck in a sideways trend, Ethereum’s impressive 30% gain places it well ahead of most of the market, raising hopes for a full-fledged altcoin rally.

Anton Kryshtal
Correction or Pause? Bitcoin Steadies Above $100K After Overheating

Correction or Pause? Bitcoin Steadies Above $100K After Overheating

BTC has pulled back from $105,000 but still holds above $100,000. Profit-taking, liquidations, and declining leverage weigh on prices, while record ETF inflows and Coinbase’s addition to the S&P 500 offer support.

Vlad Vovk
MORE
Earning by Habit: How Crypto Weaves into Everyday Actions

Earning by Habit: How Crypto Weaves into Everyday Actions

You can now earn crypto tokens for your most routine daily habits — shopping, working out, or grabbing breakfast at a café. But how does it actually work?

Yara Zornell
Valletta: How Blockchain Became a Growth Engine for the Island of the Hospitallers

Valletta: How Blockchain Became a Growth Engine for the Island of the Hospitallers

Malta attracts crypto companies from around the world — flexible regulation, low taxes, and a prestigious European jurisdiction have turned the small city of Valletta into a land of opportunity.

Iaroslava Kramarenko
MORE