As a seasoned researcher with a penchant for all things blockchain and cryptocurrency, I find myself intrigued by Vitalik Buterin’s recent musings on airdrops and their potential applications in identity and credential frameworks. With years of experience under my belt, I can attest to the transformative power these decentralized technologies hold for our digital future.


Cryptocurrency initiatives often emphasize incentives to spark curiosity about their brand and offerings. Airdrops function as a twofold tactic, not only acquainting users with the project but also compensating them. In essence, airdrops act as a hybrid promotional and reward mechanism.

This year has seen quite a few instances of airdrops. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, emphasized the possibility of airdrops as an initial application for Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology and blockchain identity systems, including credentials and attestations.

On August 28th, Buterin articulated the fundamental objectives of airdrops on X. He underscored the significance of focusing on community members, recognizing contributions, and achieving a balance between fair distribution and preventing manipulative farming strategies.

In a recent post, Buterin proposed that the goals he outlined are similar to what identity and credential systems strive for. He thinks that distributing tokens through airdrops could be an excellent way to experiment with and enhance these systems, particularly in difficult conditions. This idea is further elaborated in his discussion on “plurality” principles.

However, Buterin also proposed that instead of just giving tokens away for free, another effective strategy might be to sell them at a discounted price. The level of reduction in cost could be contingent upon the extent of participation or involvement one has shown.

By adopting this method, we spread the token distribution wider among various parties and recognize contributions beyond just financial ones. Moreover, it guarantees that each participant has a personal stake in the project, as Buterin also noted, strategies used for airdrops can be utilized effectively in these discounted sales too.

As a crypto investor, I’ve come across an intriguing idea that reminds me of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system in Singapore. This concept, proposed by CT and the Idena Network, suggests supporting savings rates for smaller accounts as an alternative to Universal Basic Income (UBI). It’s like a financial safety net that encourages saving rather than providing direct income support. It’s fascinating to see how this idea aligns with the CPF system, where savings are strategically accumulated over time.

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2024-08-29 07:16