The Namada Airdrop is a token distribution event allocating 65 million NAM tokens—6.5% of total supply—through a Retroactive Public Goods Funding model. Its aim is to reward early contributors across ZK protocols, Cosmos ecosystem, Gitcoin donors, BadKids NFT holders, and participants in Namada’s Shielded Expedition incentivized8 testnet. This drop supports Namada’s vision as an interchain privacy layer built on zero-knowledge technology and the Cosmos IBC protocol.
Why the Namada Airdrop Matters
The Namada Airdrop achieves several strategic goals:
Rewards public-good contributions and builds a decentralized community
Bootstraps program usage at mainnet launch by distributing tokens broadly
Implements on-chain governance via RPGF and Donor Drop mechanisms
Supports the launch of shielded, privacy-aware multichain features
This distribution empowers early participants with governance capabilities and network utility.
Who Is Eligible for the Airdrop?
Namada designed multiple eligibility paths:
ZK protocol9 developers and researchers with commits or mentorship in zero-knowledge tech
Cosmos ecosystem stakers holding ATOM or OSMO during snapshots with a minimum $100 stake
BadKids NFT holders in early Stargaze community
Gitcoin donors supporting public goods projects, especially ZK and blockchain work
Testnet participants in the Namada Shielded Expedition or Trusted Setup
Overall, thousands of participants across multiple communities are eligible.
How Much Can You Claim?
Namada’s allocation spans 65 million NAM tokens, which is 6.5% of supply. Individual allocations vary by contribution:
Researcher and dev contributions were scored based on commits and activity
Staker rewards correlate with both stake size and duration
NFT holders and Gitcoin donors received flat allocations proportionate to their involvement
Exact token amounts depend on scores and category. Claiming instructions were available via Namada’s official portal through December 2023.
How to Claim Your NAM
Install the official Namada wallet extension and generate a genesis address
Connect eligible Cosmos wallets (ATOM, OSMO, Gitcoin) during the claim window
Use Namada’s portal to verify allocation eligibility and submit Genesis address
Claim your NAM tokens—some already appeared after mainnet launch
Unclaimed tokens may revert to ecosystem funds
This process ensures fair distribution tied to public goods and network engagement.
Claim Timeline and Testnet Rewards
Namada’s airdrop opened in December 2023. Testnet participation through the Shielded Expedition allocated an additional 30 million NAM tokens to incentivize validators and users. Mainnet launch allowed distribution to begin, with transparency on balances and historical snapshots.
What to Do with NAM Tokens
Once claimed, NAM tokens offer real utility:
Stake in governance by delegating tokens to validators and participating in votes
Use shielded transaction fees through the multi-asset shielded pool
Participate in PGF and Donor Drops like the recent donation to CoinCenter
Pay fees and provide collateral for interchain private DeFi and commerce
This positions NAM as a core asset within a privacy-first Cosmos ecosystem.
Community Feedback and Final Thoughts
Reddit users report wallets show pending balances after mainnet launch with visibility improving over time. Namada’s developers regularly host AMAs and community outreach, reinforcing trust and transparency. The RPGF model is praised for aligning incentives across open-source tools and public goods.
The concept behind the Namada Airdrop illustrates how layered incentives—staking, governance, donations, testnets—can build a committed ecosystem. For early Cosmos developers and ZK builders, claiming NAM is both a reward and responsibility to help shape Namada’s future as a privacy layer.
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