The voluntary distribution of digital assets to "qualifying" wallet addresses, typically to reward early-adoption for a blockchain network
An airdrop in the cryptocurrency space is the voluntary distribution of digital assets to “qualifying” wallet addresses in exchange for adoption or support for a blockchain network.
These drops are typically used to increase token distribution among active participants and as part of a marketing push to acquire more users.
Airdrops have different eligibility criteria but usually require participants to use a blockchain or hold a certain amount of assets in a public wallet at the time of a snapshot to show proof of early adoption and support.
Some recently popular airdrops include UNI token drop from Uniswap and ENS from the Ethereum Name Service.