Key Takeaways
- Redeeming EigenLayer airdrop rewards depends on eligibility and the official claim process, which usually involves connecting your wallet to the designated portal and following on-chain instructions;
- Timing and engagement mattered in previous seasons—metrics like “ETH-hours” played a major role, rewarding users who staked earlier and longer;
- Staking ETH or liquid staking tokens (LSTs), participating as a node operator, or contributing to community efforts were all crucial during the EigenLayer airdrop Season 2.
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It always starts the same way. A friend brags about scoring free tokens, or a post casually mentions an airdrop you didn’t even know happened. This time, it’s EigenLayer. Then, you start digging, trying to figure out how it all worked—how to claim EigenLayer airdrop, who got what, and more importantly, what you can still do next time.
Even though the claim window for the EigenLayer airdrop Season 2 has already closed, there’s still a lot you can take away from it.
And if you're wondering where to look next, you're not alone. Toward the end, I’ll also talk about BitDegree Airdrop Season 7—a fresh opportunity that’s live now and worth keeping an eye on. But first, let’s unpack exactly how the EigenLayer airdrop went down.
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Table of Contents
- 1. How to Claim the EigenLayer Airdrop
- 1.1. Claiming via the EigenLayer Claim Portal
- 1.2. Claiming via the Inception LRT Platform
- 2. Understanding the EigenLayer Airdrop Structure
- 2.1. Season 1
- 2.2. Season 2
- 3. What to Do If You Missed the Airdrop
- 3.1. S1 VS S2: What Counted Toward Potential Eligibility
- 3.2. Stay Ready for Future Seasons
- 4. The Inside Scoop on EIGEN Tokens
- 5. Ongoing Airdrops Worth Tracking
- 5.1. BitDegree Airdrop Season 7
- 5.2. Mantle Airdrop
- 6. Conclusions
How to Claim the EigenLayer Airdrop
Let’s clear up one thing right away—if you’re looking up how to claim the EigenLayer airdrop right now, it’s already too late for Season 1 and Season 2. The claim windows have closed, and snapshots were taken well in advance. Still, there’s a lot to learn here.
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I should also mention that EigenLayer refers to these airdrops as 'Stakedrops', highlighting their connection to restaking activities. While no new claims can be made at this point, looking back at how the process worked can help you better prepare for the next opportunities, especially if the network launches a Season 3 or another similar initiative.
Claiming via the EigenLayer Claim Portal
One of the main methods to secure EIGEN allocations was through the official claim portal. If you're still wondering how to claim the EigenLayer airdrop in the USA, this was technically the default method, though eligibility came with some caveats.
While US residents weren’t directly barred from claiming, the Terms and Conditions made it clear that participants needed to comply with global sanctions laws. Users from such jurisdictions were excluded outright, and even some US-based participants may have faced limitations depending on their territory[1] or the wallet provider they used.
With that disclaimer out of the way, here’s how the standard claim process worked through the official portal:
![How to claim EigenLayer airdrop: [CLAIM] button.](https://assets.bitdegree.org/images/how-to-claim-eigenlayer-airdrop-claim-button-.jpg "How to claim EigenLayer airdrop: [CLAIM] button.")
Staking and delegating allow you to support network operators, and such participation is expected to play a bigger role in accumulating future rewards or unlocking access to upcoming utility programs.
While this method was the most direct, it wasn’t the only way users interacted with the Stakedrop.
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Claiming via the Inception LRT Platform
Another way to access your EIGEN tokens is through Inception LRT. Built as the Modular Aggregation Layer for Restaking, the platform brings order to the chaos of fragmented restaking protocols. It gives users a centralized experience to manage diverse assets, select curated strategies, and deploy across chains like Ethereum Mainnet, Arbitrum, and Optimism.
Inception LRT is especially relevant for those experimenting with LRTs and seeking a smoother user experience. It supports restakers who want to claim rewards or redeploy tokens right after receiving them.
Here’s how to claim EigenLayer airdrop tokens using the hub's streamlined dashboard:
Open the Inception LRT dApp and look for the EigenLayer section. You’ll find it under both the [Restaking] and [Portfolio] tabs. If you have tokens waiting, a [Claim] button will appear.
If not, you’ll only see the option to [Restake], which means there’s nothing to claim at the moment.
![How to claim EigenLayer airdrop: [Restake] button.](https://assets.bitdegree.org/images/how-to-claim-eigenlayer-airdrop-restake-button-.jpg "How to claim EigenLayer airdrop: [Restake] button.")
Click the [Claim] button to confirm the transaction from your connected wallet. Once processed, your tokens will land directly in your wallet.
Adding Inception LRT into this EigenLayer airdrop guide expands your options, especially for users who are active through LRT strategies or prefer a modular approach to managing their holdings.
Understanding the EigenLayer Airdrop Structure
Peeking behind the curtain of how to claim the EigenLayer airdrop only scratches the surface. The real magic lies in how the Stakedrop was structured.
Before the tokens ever reached wallets, there were several timelines and elements that contributed to the madness, including snapshots, phases, and handpicked protocols that made the cut. It's time to zoom out and see how the EigenLayer airdrop journey was carefully plotted.
Season 1
Season 1 was where it all began; a carefully timed snapshot followed by a structured rollout that determined the EigenLayer airdrop eligibility for the earliest contributors.
On March 15, 2024, the project captured a snapshot of those who had restaked ETH or LSTs (Liquid Staking Tokens), either directly or through liquid restaking protocols. That date became the line in the sand, separating first movers from those who came later.
Season 1 has distributed approximately 113 million EIGEN tokens, 6.75% of the initial supply, with claims open from May 10 to September 7, 2024.
To keep things fair, the Stakedrop was split into two phases, each rewarding different types of participation in the EigenLayer ecosystem.
Let’s take a look at who made the Season 1 cut:
- Users who restaked ETH or LSTs directly into EigenLayer before March 15;
- Users who created EigenPods or used the EigenLayer Dashboard to stake;
- Participants in LRT projects like Kelp, Pendle, and Equilibrium before March 15;
- Select Goerli testnet stakers and node operators.
As seen above, although Goerli users snagged a small slice of the Stakedrop, the team made it clear: future testnets, like Holesky, would no longer receive EigenLayer airdrop allocations.
Additionally, one of the most critical features is the EigenPod, which enables native restaking through the EigenLayer protocol by creating one linked beacon chain for seamless withdrawals.
Furthermore, testnet experimentation was appreciated. However, real rewards now revolve around mainnet actions and meaningful engagement.
When Phase 1 focused on the direct restakers, or those who planted their flag early by staking ETH or LSTs straight into EigenLayer, Phase 2 took a different turn. It zoomed in on the DeFi-savvy crowd, or folks who interacted through more intricate channels like LRTs via Pendle or Equilibrium.
Notably, LRT users weren’t shortchanged across phases. Rewards weren’t diluted by method; they were determined by depth and timing of participation.
Everyone in Season 1, plus anyone who restaked between March 15 and April 29, also picked up an additional 100 EIGEN tokens. The bonus came as a thank-you note from the team. However, the Eigen Foundation made it clear that per-address bonuses won’t be part of the equation moving forward.
Season 2
Season 2 raised the stakes, literally. With August 15, 2024, set as the key milestone, EigenLayer drew a fresh line in the sand, this time spotlighting active stakers, node operators, ecosystem builders, and a vibrant community of contributors.
Around 87 million EIGEN tokens (about 5.2% of the total supply) were earmarked for this phase, divided among three key groups: Stakers & Operators, Ecosystem Partners, and Community Members. The EigenLayer airdrop date for Season 2 claims began on September 16, 2024, and runs until March 16, 2025.
Most importantly, understanding Stakedrop eligibility in Season 2 meant showing up with genuine engagement. Here’s a list of users who qualified:
- Stakers who locked ETH or LSTs between March 15 and August 15, 2024;
- Node Operators who maintained infrastructure and supported network health;
- Ecosystem contributors building AVSs, Rollups, LRTs, or RaaS tools;
- Community participants with a proven track record of support through content, discussions, development, or hackathons.
Claiming worked differently based on role. Community members needed to complete social verification before the deadline. Meanwhile, LRT users had to collect rewards through their respective protocols.
ETH-hours were the key metric this time. Staking more ETH for longer periods directly boosted reward calculations.
Additionally, operators were required to sign messages with a custom claim address via a smart contract. Meanwhile, stakers and Ecosystem Partners claimed tokens through the official portal.
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What to Do If You Missed the Airdrop
The Eigen Foundation has made it clear that ongoing participation still matters, and learning how to get an EigenLayer airdrop in the future starts with staying active in the ecosystem.
Each phase in the past has rewarded meaningful contributions, and similar approaches are expected to shape the upcoming rounds. Let’s now talk about the next best moves if the previous Stakedrops slipped past you.
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S1 VS S2: What Counted Toward Potential Eligibility
Knowing how to get the EigenLayer airdrop eligibility right in the next round means understanding what behavior the protocol values. Participation is not limited to restaking alone; it’s a matrix of on-chain action, development support, community involvement, and proper jurisdictional compliance.
Here’s a breakdown of what matters moving forward:
- Restaking ETH or LSTs remains a core metric. Users who contribute ETH hours (calculated as ETH x time staked) will likely qualify for future drops.
- Staking earlier during active seasons boosts eligibility. Late stakers earn fewer ETH-hours and might fall below distribution thresholds if sybil resistance limits are in place.
- Operating an EigenLayer node or contributing uptime to supported AVSs signals technical engagement and decentralization support.
- Integrating or building AVSs, Rollups, and RaaS platforms will qualify contributors as Ecosystem Partners. In return, they often receive fixed or equal EIGEN allocations.
- Using LRTs like Pendle, Equilibrium, or Kelp, especially when these platforms are formally recognized by EigenLayer, can boost your claim potential. Engagement should be direct and on the mainnet, not through testnets.
- Creating educational content, analysis, or tools can lead to community recognition. Some potential avenues include X threads, YouTube explainers, GitHub repositories, Discord engagement, or Farcaster channels that advance understanding and adoption.
- Participating in hackathons, bounties, and open-source initiatives puts users on the radar of the Eigen Foundation and partner protocols that track developer contributions.
- Passing identity verification through official portals is critical. In Season 2, community members had to verify their social accounts before claiming.
In other words, following the rules and staying compliant matters.
Participation from prohibited jurisdictions (as defined by OFAC, the EU, UN, etc.) or attempts to bypass regional restrictions via VPNs can permanently disqualify addresses.
The protocol enforces such violations rigorously, as misuse or circumvention could expose the ecosystem and its users to serious legal risks.
Season 3 may also experiment with new distribution models—possibly integrating quadratic scoring for community impact, or time-weighted rewards for builders. Regardless of the format, any airdrop EigenLayer holds will continue to favor genuine, sustained participation over short-term extraction.
Stay Ready for Future Seasons
Missing Season 1 or Season 2 does not shut the door. EigenLayer has reserved about 3% of the total EigenLayer airdrop allocations—more than half of its planned 15% Stakedrop supply—for future rounds. The upcoming waves will reward active, ongoing engagement across staking, governance, development, and community participation.
The team hasn’t revealed when is the EigenLayer airdrop Season 3 happening. However, historical patterns suggest a combination of quiet snapshots and multi-channel rollouts.
Just as I mentioned in this EigenLayer airdrop guide, Season 1’s snapshot was March 15, 2024. Then, Season 2’s snapshot hit on August 15, 2024. If a similar cadence holds, major updates could arrive every few months.
To avoid missing the next window, users should stay plugged into the ecosystem. That means tracking new liquid restaking protocols, following verified EigenLayer announcements, and maintaining a presence in their staking or builder tools. Becoming familiar with the claiming and verifying pages also helps you navigate future drops efficiently.
However, be careful. In October 2024, EigenLayer’s official X account was compromised to promote a fake airdrop campaign.
For now, Season 3 and beyond are still on hold. Like previous phases, they are designed to scale community participation and build deeper utility around the EIGEN token. As I repeatedly mentioned, rewards will not only recognize staking but also real contributions to the protocol’s growth.
Do not forget to constantly verify airdrop announcements through official sites to avoid scams.
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The Inside Scoop on EIGEN Tokens
Before jumping into any chance to airdrop EigenLayer rewards into your wallet, it helps to understand what the EIGEN token is all about. Knowing its purpose, supply breakdown, and any limitations can give you better context for what you're actually receiving—and what you can do with it once it’s in your hands.
Here's the lowdown: EIGEN plays a key role within the EigenLayer ecosystem, boosting cryptoeconomic security by extending Ethereum's reach through the restaking of ETH.
While ETH restaking secures decentralized protocols, EIGEN steps in to handle intersubjectively verifiable faults, creating space for more decentralized services.
The initial token supply at launch was set at 1,673,646,668.28466—an intriguing number that subtly spells out "1. Open Innovation" when dialed on a classic phone keypad. Mind that this figure excludes inflationary issuances.
Additionally, EIGEN provides essential security for various Actively Validated Services (AVSs), unlocking potential for transaction ordering, storage services, AI processors, oracles, and much more.[2]
Through the launch of EIGEN, two goals were prioritized:
- Security via Intersubjective Forking. This mechanism secures EigenDA and other AVSs, ensuring that security is baked into the protocol early. Thanks to this system, users can support the versions of the protocol they deem valid without needing Ethereum's social consensus.
- Responsible Rollout. A careful introduction of EIGEN ensures sustainability and long-term adoption. The protocol and tokens’ early non-transferability allowed for focused development.
After the token was deployed, the community was wrapped in a frenzy, especially when they heard about the 45% allocation. That significant number came with layers of intention, designed to reward early support, fuel innovation, and keep the momentum humming long after the airdrop from EigenLayer kicked off.
Here's a quick look of what those distributions are intended for:
% of Total Initial EIGEN Supply | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Stakedrops | 15% | Approx. 186,582,000 EIGEN made claimable in Season 1 & 2. Unclaimed tokens will be reallocated. |
Community Initiatives | 15% | Contributions can be through grants and incentive programs for users, developers, and the community. |
Ecosystem Initiatives & Growth for the Community | 15% | Support, research, ecosystem development, and operational expenses for the Eigen Foundation with the benefit of the entire community. |
Table: Community allocations of the initial EIGEN supply
Alongside these, the protocol's native token comes with a fixed annual inflation rate of 4% on the initial supply. They will be issued through a protocol defined in Programmatic Incentives v1, which will remain in effect unless modified by future community governance decisions.
Moreover, the Foundation is in place to help fuel a four-sided network, connecting restakers, decentralized node operators, AVS protocols, and a growing community of consumers. Future governance decisions will guide how to balance and expand these elements for optimal growth.
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Ongoing Airdrops Worth Tracking
If you're wondering how to claim the EigenLayer airdrop, it's good to stay updated on upcoming details, but in the meantime, there are other active events to explore. Let's dive into these exciting options you won't want to miss.
BitDegree Airdrop Season 7
As promised at the beginning of this article, I'll talk about BitDegree’s Season 7 Airdrop. It's one of the more interactive campaigns currently live, with a $30,000 prize pool up for grabs.
The campaign runs until April 30, 2025, and centers around collecting Bits—BitDegree’s in-game points system. To be eligible for a share of the prize pool, you'll need to know a few key rules:
- Minimum required Bits: 10,000 Bits (only those earned during Season 7 count);
- Wallets compatible for withdrawal: A Binance or Coinbase Wallet address;
- Expert tip: The more Bits you gather, the larger your stake in the prize pool.
The most rewarding way to earn Bits is by completing BitDegree’s gamified Missions. These interactive tasks include quizzes, video-based challenges, social actions, and site visits. Each Mission offers a set number of Bits, but every mistake deducts from the total you could earn.
Some Missions even offer side "airdrops", such as USDC, merchandise, hardware wallets, and even event tickets.
There’s also a referral system: bring in a friend who stays active, and you both receive 400 Bits. If she or he completes at least one Mission, you receive an extra 800 Bits.
To keep users coming back, BitDegree also runs a daily Streak system. Complete just one round per day to grow your Streak, which will increase your rewards as time goes by. Plus, a special bonus awaits on day 7.
All in all, BitDegree’s approach to airdrops turns participation into a game of strategy and consistency.
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Mantle Airdrop
Mantle is on a mission to build the largest sustainable hub for on-chain finance, aiming to reshape the future of banking with its innovative blockchain-powered products. With key offerings like Mantle Network, the mETH Protocol, Function, and the Index Fund, the platform is setting the stage for the next generation of DeFi.
The latest launch, Season 3 of the Mantle mETH Protocol, dubbed “Methamorphosis”, promises exciting opportunities to earn crypto rewards that include COOK tokens.
Here’s a quick guide to get you started with the ongoing airdrop:
- Visit the mETH Protocol website and connect your EVM wallet, such as the Binance Web3 Wallet.
- Stake some ETH on the platform to receive mETH tokens.
- Restake your mETH tokens to earn cmETH tokens through the dashboard.
- Hold your cmETH tokens throughout the season to maximize your rewards.
This campaign runs for 90 days (from April 8 until July 7, 2025) and gives you plenty of time to participate and work toward earning your share of COOK tokens. With new features like multi-chain support and HyperETH Vault, there's plenty to explore and benefit from.
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Conclusions
Claiming airdrops now goes beyond holding tokens—platforms like EigenLayer consider restaking, wallet activity, and location. For those asking how to claim EigenLayer airdrop in the USA, the official portal was the primary method. While it wasn’t geo-blocked, the Terms required compliance with global sanctions laws, creating uncertainty for those in restricted regions or using flagged wallets.
That brings us to the next question worth asking: when is EigenLayer airdrop happening again? Well, so far, no new round has been confirmed—but if the current allocation structure is any hint, future waves could still land, and staying active in the ecosystem won’t hurt.
While you're keeping tabs, BitDegree’s Season 7 Airdrop offers a less technical but just-as-rewarding experience. Earn Bits through gamified Missions and compete for a slice of the $30,000 prize pool!
The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.
Scientific References
1. Emmert, F.: ‘The regulation of cryptocurrencies in the United States of America’;
2. Gogol, K., Velner, Y., Kraner, B., Tessone, C.: ‘SoK: Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) and Emerging Trends in Restaking’.
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