A Smarter Approach to Airdrop Farming in 2025

If you’ve been chasing crypto airdrops, you’ve probably felt the overwhelm of juggling hundreds of projects. In a recent X post by Ronin (@DeRonin_), he drops some hard-earned wisdom: stop spreading yourself thin across 300+ hyped projects and focus on 7-10 quality ones instead. Posted on April 3, 2025, this thread has sparked conversations in the crypto community, especially for those hunting for the next big airdrop rewards. Let’s break down Ronin’s strategy, the projects he’s betting on, and why this approach might just be the game-changer you need.

Why Focus on Fewer Projects?

Airdrop farming—participating in early-stage crypto projects to earn free tokens—has become a popular way to score big in the crypto space. But with so many projects popping up, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Ronin argues that focusing on too many projects dilutes your efforts and reduces your chances of meaningful rewards. Instead, he suggests narrowing your focus to a handful of high-potential projects where you can go deep, engage meaningfully, and maximize your returns.

In his words, “No sense to be focused on 300+ projects… Just stay focused on 7-10 quality.” This isn’t about gambling on every shiny new token; it’s about analysis and strategy. Ronin’s approach reflects a growing trend in 2025: as the crypto market matures, quality and engagement are becoming more important than ever for airdrop hunters.

The “Avoid” List: 300+ Projects to Skip

Ronin starts by listing over 300 projects he recommends avoiding for airdrop farming. This isn’t to say these projects are bad—some, like OpenSea and Optimism, are well-known players in the space. However, Ronin believes their airdrop potential might not be worth the effort in 2025. Here’s a snippet of the projects on his “Avoid” list:

• Alliance Games
• Ambient Fi
• Arkham
• Azuki
• Base
• Farcaster
• Metamask
• OpenSea
• Optimism #6
• Zora

In a follow-up reply, Ronin clarifies that these projects aren’t “trash.” Many are solid, and he even suggests keeping 1–3 accounts in each as an “anti-FOMO move.” But for serious airdrop farmers, he believes the rewards might not justify the time and effort compared to his curated list of high-potential projects.

Ronin’s Top 8 Projects to Focus On

After analyzing the market, Ronin shares the 8 projects he’s focusing on for maximum airdrop rewards. He also provides specific activities to help you get started. Here’s the breakdown:

1. SuccinctLabs: Farm Stars on Testnet

SuccinctLabs is working on a decentralized prover network on Ethereum to boost proving capacity for zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). ZKPs are a cryptographic method that lets you prove something is true without revealing the details—think of it as a privacy superpower for blockchains. Ronin suggests engaging with tasks on SuccinctLabs’ testnet to farm stars. According to a blog post, their “Level 1: Crisis of Trust” testnet program, launched on February 10, 2025, lets participants earn stars by generating ZKPs through games like Flappy Bird and Ethereum: The Last Block.

2. HyperliquidX: Potential Second Airdrop

Hyperliquid is a decentralized exchange (DEX) for perpetual futures and spot trading, known for its on-chain orderbook and native $HYPE token. Ronin highlights the potential for a second airdrop, encouraging active participation in the ecosystem. A guide on airdrops.io notes that Hyperliquid has allocated 38.888% of its $HYPE supply for future emissions and community rewards. You can increase your chances by holding spot tokens like HYPE or PURR, staking with the HypurrCollective validator, or providing liquidity.

3. MingoAirdrop Ecosystem Projects

Ronin points to ecosystem projects under MingoAirdrop (link shared in the post) as another area of focus. While he doesn’t specify which projects, MingoAirdrop is likely a platform aggregating airdrop opportunities, so it’s worth exploring their recommendations for additional gems.

4. Monad_xyz: NFT Collections and Roles

Monad is a high-performance layer-1 blockchain, and its testnet has been a hotspot for airdrop farmers. Ronin is focusing on NFT collections and roles within the ecosystem. A Monad testnet page confirms that users can explore and mint NFTs during the testnet phase, which aligns with Ronin’s strategy. A user in the thread, @shadowninjaa, also mentions the fun of minting NFTs on Monad, to which Ronin agrees.

5. AbstractChain: Collect Badges and Farm Clips

AbstractChain is another project on Ronin’s radar. He suggests collecting badges, engaging with streams, and farming on clips. He even links to a guide by @cryptoleon_xyz on how to earn on clips, though the specifics of “clips” aren’t clear—it could refer to short-form content or a gamified task within the ecosystem.

6. KaitoAI: Farm Yaps and Stake

KaitoAI focuses on AI-driven insights for crypto markets. Ronin recommends farming “yaps” (likely a points system), voting, staking, and claiming rewards. KaitoAI’s model of rewarding user engagement through AI-related tasks fits the growing trend of AI-blockchain integration in 2025.

7. FogoChain: Farm Smoker Roles

FogoChain is a lesser-known project, but Ronin suggests farming “Smoker roles” to position yourself for rewards. While details are sparse, “Smoker roles” might refer to specific community or testnet roles that earn points or tokens.

8. Hyperbolic_labs: Farm Points with AI Models

Hyperbolic is an AI-focused blockchain project. Ronin advises farming points by engaging with their AI models and even shares a script to automate the process. This reflects a more technical approach to airdrop farming, leveraging automation for efficiency.

9. FractionAI_xyz: Earn Fractal Points

FractionAI rounds out the list. Ronin suggests earning Fractal points through “battle” activities on their testnet. According to CryptoRank, FractionAI’s testnet v0.1 lets users create AI agents to compete and earn Fractals, which will later convert into project tokens. They’ve also partnered with Sentient for a campaign on Galxe, offering exclusive whitelist spots.

Community Reactions and Insights

The thread sparked a lively discussion among Ronin’s followers. Here are some key takeaways:

• MegaETH and Eclipse as Alternatives: @Only1temmy suggests focusing on MegaETH and Eclipse. Ronin responds that he’s waiting for MegaETH’s mainnet launch and is skeptical of Eclipse due to high costs and audience farming concerns. Instead, he prefers Linea 2.0.
• Perp DEX Comparison: @un3code_ questions Hyperliquid’s second airdrop potential compared to Backpack or Paradex. Ronin dismisses Paradex but likes Backpack, mentioning a script that farms 10-15% profit. He remains bullish on Hyperliquid for its community commitment.
• NFTs on Monad: @shadowninjaa enjoys minting NFTs on Monad, and Ronin agrees, sharing an image of a child in a patterned dress sitting on a bench, captioned “yeah NFTs are good there.” The image seems to be a humorous or meme-style response rather than a literal depiction of Monad’s NFTs.

Should You Follow Ronin’s Strategy?

Ronin’s approach is grounded in a practical reality: the crypto market in 2025 is tougher and more competitive. By focusing on a curated list of projects, he aims to maximize rewards while minimizing wasted effort. His emphasis on deep engagement—like farming stars, collecting badges, or staking—shows that airdrop farming isn’t just about signing up; it’s about contributing to the ecosystem.

However, airdrop farming always carries risks. There’s no guarantee that any of these projects will deliver valuable tokens, and market conditions can change rapidly. Ronin himself acknowledges this uncertainty, noting, “How it will turn out, time will show.” If you’re considering his strategy, start by researching each project to ensure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Also, be mindful of any costs (like gas fees) or technical requirements (like running scripts) that might come with participation.

Final Thoughts

Ronin’s 2025 airdrop strategy offers a refreshing take for crypto enthusiasts feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of projects out there. By narrowing his focus to 8 quality projects—SuccinctLabs, Hyperliquid, Monad, and more—he’s betting on deep engagement over shallow participation. Whether you’re a seasoned airdrop farmer or just getting started, his advice is worth considering: quality over quantity might just be the key to unlocking the best rewards in this evolving space. What do you think of Ronin’s picks? Let us know in the comments!