The crypto airdrop landscape continues to evolve as investors seek early opportunities in high-potential, tokenless protocols. With several major projects launching their native tokens in April — including Ethena, Wormhole, and Parcl — rewarding early adopters with substantial airdrops, the momentum has shifted toward protocols that haven’t yet released a token but show strong signals of future distribution.
Despite market volatility and regulatory uncertainties, user engagement remains high, especially in decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms offering point systems, testnet participation, or re-staking mechanisms — all of which have historically served as precursors to token launches.
This article explores six standout projects generating significant buzz among airdrop hunters in 2025, analyzing their ecosystems, user incentives, and potential for future token distribution.
What Makes a Project Airdrop-Worthy?
Before diving into the list, it's important to understand the common indicators of an upcoming airdrop:
- Point or XP systems that reward user activity
- Testnet participation with structured incentives
- Public statements or hints from development teams
- High total value locked (TVL) driven by speculative deposits
- Integration with other airdrop-tracking ecosystems
These signals help investors identify protocols where early engagement could yield future token rewards.
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1. Zircuit: Zero-Knowledge Rollup with Strong Airdrop Hype
Zircuit is an Ethereum Layer 2 rollup leveraging zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs — a cryptographic method that verifies transactions without exposing underlying data. While its mainnet hasn't launched yet — expected in summer 2025 — the project has already attracted massive attention.
In April alone, nearly $2.5 billion was deposited into Zircuit’s testnet staking pool, reflecting strong community anticipation for a potential airdrop.
Key Features:
- Uses ZK technology for scalability and privacy
- Offers point rewards for testnet deposits and interactions
- Integrates with major DeFi players like Renzo, EigenLayer, and eOracle
Although the team hasn’t confirmed a token launch, users earn points for early participation. Given that similar projects like Ether.fi and Parcl converted their points into actual airdrops, many believe Zircuit will follow suit.
Moreover, points earned through partner protocols may also factor into final eligibility, creating a network effect across the re-staking and ZK ecosystem.
2. EigenLayer: The Re-Staking Giant with Unconfirmed Token Plans
With over $15.4 billion in total value locked (TVL), EigenLayer ranks among the largest DeFi protocols today. It pioneered the concept of re-staking, allowing users to stake ETH that’s already secured via liquid staking tokens (LSTs) like stETH or rETH.
This innovation enables enhanced security for restaked applications while amplifying yield opportunities — a major draw for yield-seeking investors.
Why Airdrop Hunters Are Watching:
- Massive TVL growth driven by speculative deposits
- Strong precedent: many early users received Ethena’s $ENA token after staking on EigenLayer
- Active point systems via third-party integrations
Despite this, Eigen Labs, the team behind the protocol, has repeatedly stated “no token” on Discord, fueling speculation that this is a regulatory safeguard rather than a definitive stance.
Historically, such denials often precede surprise airdrops — making EigenLayer one of the most watched non-tokenized protocols in 2025.
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3. Karak: Multi-Chain Re-Staking Challenger
Emerging as a competitor to EigenLayer, Karak brings multi-chain flexibility to the re-staking space. Unlike EigenLayer, which operates solely on Ethereum, Karak supports re-staking across Arbitrum and its own blockchain, Karak Network.
Launched privately in early April 2025, the protocol quickly amassed **$400 million in deposits**, reaching a $1 billion valuation within weeks.
Unique Advantages:
- Supports re-staking of assets beyond ETH, including stablecoins and various LSTs
- Native point system called XP, earned through deposits and referrals
- Designed for cross-chain interoperability and capital efficiency
While there’s no official confirmation yet, the XP system strongly suggests a future token airdrop for early adopters. Its broader asset support could give it an edge in attracting diverse liquidity sources.
4. friend.tech: SocialFi Comeback with Airdrop Speculation
The SocialFi platform friend.tech made headlines again in April 2025 with the launch of its V2 version, sparking renewed user interest and deposit activity.
At its peak, the platform saw $7.4 million in single-day deposits — the highest since October 2024 — driven largely by rumors of a full supply airdrop.
Why It Stands Out:
- Plans to distribute 100% of its token supply via airdrop — extremely rare in crypto
- Revamped interface and improved user experience in V2
- Active secondary market for friend.tech points, indicating strong demand
Most airdrops allocate only 10–30% of tokens to users; a 100% distribution would be unprecedented and highly bullish for community ownership. If confirmed, this could set a new standard for decentralized social platforms.
5. LayerZero: Interoperability Leader Poised for Launch
LayerZero is one of the most anticipated cross-chain interoperability protocols in crypto. Over the past two years, it has enabled seamless communication between blockchains, powering numerous bridging and DeFi applications.
Airdrop Signals:
- Confirmed plans for native token distribution
- Extensive user activity tracking across multiple chains
- Expected launch in H1 2025
Users who’ve interacted with supported dApps — such as Stargate Finance or Radiant Capital — may qualify for the airdrop based on usage history. The longer someone has been active across the ecosystem, the higher their potential allocation.
Its upcoming token launch is expected to trigger significant market movement, similar to past major protocol releases.
6. zkSync: Scaling Ethereum with Long-Awaited Token
Developed by Matter Labs, zkSync is a ZK-rollup aiming to scale Ethereum with low fees and high throughput. After years of development and multiple testnet phases, expectations are high for its native token.
Key Highlights:
- Confirmed intent to airdrop token to early users
- Millions of wallet interactions recorded on testnet and mainnet
- No confirmed release date yet, but speculation points to mid-to-late 2025
Early adopters who bridged funds, swapped tokens, or participated in governance previews are likely top candidates for the initial distribution.
Given its technological maturity and ecosystem growth — including integrations with major wallets and DeFi protocols — zkSync’s token could become a cornerstone of the ZK-scaling narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I know if I qualify for an airdrop?
A: Most projects track on-chain activity such as wallet interactions, transaction volume, or participation in testnets. Use blockchain explorers or dedicated airdrop tracking tools to review your activity history across different protocols.
Q: Are all point systems guaranteed to lead to airdrops?
A: No. While many projects like Parcl and Ether.fi have converted points into tokens, others may discontinue their programs without issuing a token. Always treat points as speculative indicators, not guarantees.
Q: Can I increase my chances of receiving an airdrop?
A: Yes. Engage consistently across multiple dimensions — deposit funds, refer friends, use dApps regularly, and participate in governance or testnet campaigns. Broader engagement typically improves eligibility.
Q: Is it safe to deposit funds just for an airdrop?
A: There are risks involved, including smart contract vulnerabilities and market volatility. Only use funds you can afford to lose, and audit the protocol’s security credentials before interacting.
Q: Will every major DeFi protocol launch a token?
A: Not necessarily. Some projects may remain non-tokenized for governance or regulatory reasons. However, economic models centered around user incentives often favor token issuance over time.
Q: How can I stay updated on upcoming airdrops?
A: Follow trusted crypto news outlets, join official Discord servers, monitor GitHub activity, and track your on-chain footprint using analytics platforms.
👉 Stay ahead of the curve by exploring platforms where innovation meets reward potential.
Final Thoughts
As the crypto ecosystem matures, strategic participation in emerging protocols offers one of the most accessible paths to acquiring valuable digital assets — often before they hit exchanges.
Projects like Zircuit, EigenLayer, Karak, friend.tech, LayerZero, and zkSync represent the cutting edge of DeFi innovation, combining utility with strong community-driven incentives.
While nothing is guaranteed, historical trends suggest that early engagement in well-architected protocols significantly increases the likelihood of benefiting from future token distributions.
By staying informed, diversifying participation, and prioritizing security, investors can position themselves at the forefront of the next wave of blockchain adoption — and potentially reap substantial rewards along the way.