WalletConnect Airdrop Sparks Mixed Reactions Over Eligibility Rules

As a seasoned researcher who has been immersed in the ever-evolving world of blockchain technology and decentralized finance for years, I must admit that my initial reaction to WalletConnect’s first token airdrop was one of cautious optimism. The prospect of such a widely used protocol taking a leap into the token economy is indeed exciting. However, upon delving deeper into the intricacies of the airdrop, I found myself grappling with mixed feelings.


walletConnect has commenced the distribution of its inaugural token through an airdrop. In the initial phase of this airdrop, approximately 160,000 qualified users will receive a total of 50 million WalletConnect Tokens (WCT).

Users have the opportunity to lock up their tokens for governing purposes and receive compensation. This represents an important step forward in the development of the popular, open-source protocol that links crypto wallets with decentralized apps (dApps).

Eligibility and Distribution Details

Now that the airdrop eligibility tool is active, users can verify their involvement in the event. Out of the 50 million tokens allotted for this stage, 30 million will be earmarked for individuals who registered and fulfilled certain activity requirements within the assigned timeframe. The remaining 20 million tokens are being held back for significant contributors to the WalletConnect community, such as node operators and early GitHub participants.

As a researcher, I’m excited to announce that the eligibility process has been activated! I encourage everyone to review their qualifications and, if eligible, claim your Web3 Connect Token (WCT). Once claimed, you can begin staking your tokens for potential benefits!

Users needed to establish a profile, link their wallet via WalletConnect, and participate in the network before the deadline at the end of last month. Additionally, WalletConnect utilized a points system that considered previous network activity, on-chain actions, and user contributions to guarantee an even allocation.

To encourage more involvement, WalletConnect lowered the cost of transaction fees (gas fees) for users, alleviating their financial strain as network costs fluctuate.

In the process of claiming, WalletConnect offered Ethereum (ETH) on Optimism to eligible users directly through their contract address to help cover gas expenses,” as stated in the announcement.

Simultaneously, these distributed tokens initially cannot be transferred but can be held for governing purposes instead. The holding periods vary from a week to as long as two years, with rewards starting on December 19. This system motivates prolonged participation within the ecosystem and allows users to impact WalletConnect’s development by proposing governance decisions.

By design, WalletConnect is intended to streamline the communication between cryptocurrency wallets and decentralized applications (dApps). This is achieved through effortless connection methods such as scanning QR codes or utilizing deep links.

Mixed Reactions from the Community

Farmers who received the airdrop continue to be elated over the free tokens. The news sparked enthusiasm among certain community members, particularly regarding WalletConnect’s initiatives to streamline the token-claiming procedure without any extra charges.

“Very impressive! Some folks made us pay for airdrop claims,” one user noted.

On the other hand, there are those who have raised issues about the project due to eligibility concerns. More specifically, some established users have voiced their doubts about the justice of the selection process, with one individual showing signs of irritation.

Is it possible for WalletConnect to consider exceptions or appeals? I’ve been using WalletConnect since 2020, but I noticed not all wallets meet their requirements. I recall successfully logging in via Trust Wallet. Why is it that only the newer wallets seem to qualify?” they inquired.

A different individual expressed a comparable viewpoint, mentioning they generated the seed phrase for their airdrop wallet through Trust Wallet as far back as 2020 and have been using it nearly for two years. However, despite this long-term usage, they remain ineligible.

In 2020, I set up my airdrop wallet’s seed phrase using Trust Wallet because I didn’t have access to a computer at the time. For nearly two years since then, I’ve been managing my wallet exclusively through Trust Wallet due to its convenience. The only method available for me to interact with decentralized apps was WalletConnect.

Amidst the ongoing debate, it’s been mentioned that certain individuals claimed they were given gas fee subsidies during the specified eligibility timeframe. Yet, these same individuals are now considered ineligible, leading to confusion among users about the assessment methodology and how to confirm their entitlements.

WalletConnect has not yet responded to appeals or clarified if the eligibility requirements will be reevaluated for future airdrop rounds, which mirrors wider issues within the cryptocurrency sector. Deciding who is eligible for reward schemes frequently sparks discussions about fairness and openness.

Although WalletConnect currently has a large portion of its total tokens set aside for future airdrops, there could be chances to streamline the distribution process. This is especially relevant given that 185 million tokens out of a maximum supply of 1 billion WCT tokens are earmarked for these airdrops. Additionally, responding to community feedback can help WalletConnect foster stronger ties with its user base and demonstrate its dedication to inclusivity.

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2024-11-27 13:13