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# What is an airdrop ?

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A [cryptocurrency](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cryptocurrency.asp) airdrop is a marketing strategy that involves sending coins or tokens to wallet addresses. Small amounts of the new [virtual currency](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/virtual-currency.asp) are sent to the wallets of active members of the blockchain community for free or in return for a small service, such as retweeting a post sent by the company issuing the currency.

Airdrops can be split into two broad categories: tokens and [NFTs](https://www.bitcoin.com/get-started/what-are-nfts/). Let’s look at an example of each:

**Token airdrop**: A crypto platform, such as a decentralized exchange (DEX)\*, decides to create a native token. To reward its current user base, the project sends half of the total token supply to users’ wallets based on the volume each user has traded on the platform. This token acts as a moat of sorts, helping to retain users from competitors.

**NFT airdrop**: An NFT\*\* project might wish to generate interest in their current NFT sale by promising holders of that NFT that they will be airdropped a future NFT. This causes their current NFT sale to sell out, and keeps the community engaged with anticipation for the next NFT drop.

*\*A DEX (decentralized exchange) is a type of exchange that specializes in peer-to-peer transactions of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Unlike centralized exchanges (CEXs), DEXs do not require a trusted third party, or intermediary, to facilitate the exchange of cryptoassets."*

*\*\* A NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a special digital certificate that shows you own a unique digital assets. No 2 NFTs can be the same*&#x20;

The ultimate goal of a crypto airdrop is to promote awareness and circulation of a new token or coin.

When an airdrop is announced, there are 2 dates to look for. The first is a "snapshot" time. This is when the project will take a screenshot of all the wallets that are eligible for the airdrop. Make sure to fulfill all the specified requirements by that date. The second is the distribution date. This is when you can expect the airdropped coins to hit your wallet.

Let's look into the type of airdrops we have next.


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