
a16z crypto|Apr 09, 2025 15:27
In this episode, we talk about one of the most familiar — and most misunderstood — mechanics in crypto: the airdrop.
We explore the history of airdrops in and outside crypto, the challenges of incentive design, and learnings from airdrops to date.
We also answer questions like how do you avoid Sybil attacks and professional airdrop farming? Should your drop be big or small, one-time or ongoing? And what happens when AI agents enter the mix?
To break it all down, we’re joined by @eddylazzarin, @DarenMatsuoka, @ahall_research, & @rhhackett
Whether you’re planning a token launch, looking for token rewards, or just curious why airdrops have become such a powerful mechanism in crypto — this episode is for you.
Timestamps:
0:00 - introduction
1:42 - what is an airdrop?
6:27 - tokens vs traditional equity
8:49 - incentive design challenges
15:18 - origins from credit cards to crypto
17:14 - Optimism airdrop case study
23:09 - NFT market learnings
28:32 - Sybil resistance and verifying humanity
33:04 - Uniswap airdrop and beyond
36:35 - AI agents and the future of airdrops
40:33 - connection to performance reviews
45:30 - token vesting and volatility
49:08 - experimentation vs. best practices
59:20 - Batesian mimicry
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