In the crypto world, the term “airdrop” once referred to a simple incentive mechanism used by ecosystems to attract users. Anyone who completed a few transactions, joined a Discord server, or filled out a basic form could potentially receive token rewards,some of which would go on to gain significant value. But those days might be over. Today, airdrops are taking on a new form,one that rewards not just early participation, but also influence, volume, and social reach.

Recent projects like Kaito, Cookie, Lens, Farcaster, Virtual, and GiveRep are shaking up the traditional concept of the airdrop. These platforms now target not only early adopters, but also those who are active, productive, and influential within the ecosystem. Behind this shift lies a growing trend: point-based systems that more precisely measure the question, “Who’s really contributing?”

The Code Behind the New Airdrop Wave: Point Systems

In earlier models,such as Uniswap or dYdX airdrops,users became eligible for rewards just by using the platform a few times. Now, next-generation projects design their airdrops like ongoing campaigns. Every action,writing a post, sharing content, referring others, voting, or even liking another user’s post,converts into points.

These systems are effectively creating a new kind of “social score.” On Kaito, it's article engagement. On Cookie, it's the value of a contributor’s content. On Lens and Farcaster, it’s about content sharing and interaction. On GiveRep, it’s giving reputation to others. These actions now determine your potential rewards.

Engagement vs. Volume: Who’s Winning?

Another defining feature of this new model is how it doesn’t just reward “active users,” but also elevates community leaders. On decentralized social platforms like Farcaster, users with high engagement become more visible,and, in turn, more likely to earn greater rewards. Those with large followings naturally rise to the top, thanks to their organic reach.

The same applies to Binance’s Alpha platform. While it may look like a content and analytics hub for investors, contributors are ranked based on the quality and interaction levels of their posts. In short, being early is no longer enough,to earn, you need to be visible, talked about, and valuable.

Are Airdrops Now Just for Influencers?

This trend has its critics. These new models tend to favor users who already have a large social media following. As a result, the Web3 promise of equality is being questioned,Web2 influencer dynamics seem to be creeping into Web3. Many users now feel that smaller participants are being left behind in this race.

On the other hand, one could argue these systems are more merit-based, more contribution-focused, and more sustainable. Fake wallets, bots, and spam are much easier to filter out in point-based models. In theory, these systems better reward genuine and consistent engagement.