{"id":24028,"date":"2025-05-15T15:57:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T12:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/the-race-for-alpha-points-a-trap-for-airdrop-hunters-or-binances-gold-mine\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T15:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T12:57:10","slug":"the-race-for-alpha-points-a-trap-for-airdrop-hunters-or-binances-gold-mine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/the-race-for-alpha-points-a-trap-for-airdrop-hunters-or-binances-gold-mine\/","title":{"rendered":"The race for Alpha Points: a trap for airdrop hunters or Binance\u2019s gold mine?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-text-wrappers-keypoints article_keypoints\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Binance Wallet has captured the lion\u2019s share of on-chain trading activity thanks to the launch of the Alpha Points mechanic.<\/li>\n<li>Users who trade on Binance Alpha and keep funds within the exchange\u2019s ecosystem earn points.<\/li>\n<li>Points can later be used to join TGEs and receive airdrops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>In recent weeks Binance Wallet has accounted for up to 80% of decentralised trading volumes among popular Web3 wallets. The surge in activity stems from a gamified rewards system.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-qw.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdSwZq61JYRSXUbQfOjUnY-4pqrNob8b7qwl5l79u5fW1rtx9FNaq2AohFZZfjtG7qDNde6Yl1AHBdmrpp1K-9S6ALrRCsMfsxUo4qbsSXOC9mTymOpTYUHGxBz2FP1lGwL9hF1BQ?key=RiOz38J1XA7mSIo0TVPhaQ\" alt=\"The race for Alpha Points: a trap for airdrop hunters or Binance\u2019s gold mine?\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">DEX volumes routed through popular wallets. Data: <a href=\"https:\/\/dune.com\/lz_web3\/wallet-war\">Dune<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In late April the largest crypto exchange introduced a new system for joining <span data-descr=\"a token generation event in which a crypto project officially creates and distributes coins to participants\" class=\"old_tooltip\">TGE<\/span> via Binance Wallet and for receiving airdrops \u2014 Alpha Points. Since then, to profit from campaigns users must hit a moving points threshold. The bar has kept rising: first 45, then 65, later 137 \u2014 and up to 205.<\/p>\n<p>Alpha Points are awarded for holding assets on the centralised exchange and\/or in the wallet, and for trading volume on Binance Alpha via Binance Wallet.<\/p>\n<p>The balance tiers are:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$100-1,000 \u2014 1 point;<\/li>\n<li>$1,000-10,000 \u2014 2;<\/li>\n<li>$10,000-100,000 \u2014 3;<\/li>\n<li>$100,000 and above \u2014 4.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For trading, each additional point is credited for doubling volume. The schedule is:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$2 in volume \u2014 1 point;<\/li>\n<li>$4 \u2014 2;<\/li>\n<li>$8 \u2014 3;<\/li>\n<li>$16 \u2014 4;<\/li>\n<li>$32 \u2014 5, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Points are calculated daily for activity over the past 15 days. Older points expire automatically.<\/p>\n<p>To consistently earn 180 points, you need to keep $1,000\u2013$10,000 on the exchange and trade at least $1,024.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a burn mechanic: participating in a TGE or claiming an airdrop costs 15 points.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-qw.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeAG6uEVmT_lK5WGudYP0qt3FYX5uHHD3UufwOZ_-QaErjNIhjhJ6TvZwhAASG4NZPz_3BRTKSJ7N9mdrbIcayCQzxRXwh0lvk_xCB42e6pff_lUCjhF-X4uKGkeYAcJf3aM2_c9A?key=RiOz38J1XA7mSIo0TVPhaQ\" alt=\"The race for Alpha Points: a trap for airdrop hunters or Binance\u2019s gold mine?\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The number of points and accrual rules are listed in the relevant section. Data: Binance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How much can you earn<\/strong> and what are the risks<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-text-wrappers-keypoints article_keypoints\">\n<p>This material is provided for information only and does not constitute financial advice. ForkLog is not responsible for readers\u2019 investment decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rewards under TGEs and airdrops vary by campaign. On May 15, users with 187 points or more received 198 NXPC tokens \u2014 $724 at the time of writing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-qw.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfFVXFY2yY-GNQ6ehEzwLVv7_MSSOzMN8_XEVOMmsHKWkU9ZCPzyo3shLT_vm0fUd_fqiahJkXxGJFLGftoVTCFdhm_nN9evsYKYFXWFHSHkN5i3t2Taw1QrpymXW1pAyKYqT_3lA?key=RiOz38J1XA7mSIo0TVPhaQ\" alt=\"The race for Alpha Points: a trap for airdrop hunters or Binance\u2019s gold mine?\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credited 198 NXPC. Data: Binance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Most earlier rounds paid far less \u2014 around $100 if the assets were sold immediately. The fatter NXPC payout reflected a price spike right after listing.<\/p>\n<p>For TGEs, earnings often run in the $50\u201380 range. However, joining a campaign may require up to three BNB, which can fall in price.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-qw.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeuikaRpAQwg6MvLGUU6OljVowCS0IfU0UrpgUcwldzscKVIjRBtWVP512pwFBfC4e1UE9pN5wgURV4M5u7SnBBb9_POjaKI8AhYOoVDIi5ofL6k8g_WVp_jFG5zqg0-xZbJM0_?key=RiOz38J1XA7mSIo0TVPhaQ\" alt=\"The race for Alpha Points: a trap for airdrop hunters or Binance\u2019s gold mine?\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Earnings from TGEs via Binance Wallet. Data: <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Cipher2X\/status\/1922627357665263721\">X<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You should also factor in the cost of qualifying. To earn 15 points from volume, you must swap $32,768. Slippage and fees will cost roughly $10\u201320 depending on the network and token. To gain 14 points, you can halve both turnover and related expenses.<\/p>\n<p>There is a significant risk of staying active for 15 days, burning tens of dollars on swaps, yet still missing the threshold for an airdrop or TGE.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"zh\" dir=\"ltr\">\u7ee7\u7eed\u5403\u4e0a <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/X1i5DXH7y8\">pic.twitter.com\/X1i5DXH7y8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u597d\u5bb6\u4f19? (@wjf110) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wjf110\/status\/1921885512979099789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Some users report holding 246 points. Achieving that requires keeping $10,000\u2013100,000 on the exchange and generating $8,192 or $16,384 in daily volume.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Criticism<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The gamified earn-and-spend system for airdrop access has markedly boosted volumes routed through the exchange\u2019s Web3 wallet. BNB Chain is the most popular network among Binance Alpha\u2019s airdrop hunters.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-qw.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXd5tTiV95pmWEupgduF_pfIPv_4yTTzxGi7wItj1MJ1CGOcBZUB1Px33a3E3BcSLeqXQKk8y8t24zPABgmxks0J_HZ-TfaNtAHjuLtN7Q8u2Py09qNBAATAbYouT0fwTXJQ8mnC_w?key=RiOz38J1XA7mSIo0TVPhaQ\" alt=\"The race for Alpha Points: a trap for airdrop hunters or Binance\u2019s gold mine?\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Daily fees by blockchain generated by activity on Binance Alpha. Data: <a href=\"https:\/\/dune.com\/night_walker\/binance-alpha-overview\">Dune<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Binance Alpha has drawn criticism for unfair token distribution: a large share goes to exchange users who do not contribute to a project\u2019s development and act purely out of self-interest. Early ecosystem supporters either receive nothing or far less.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Grind testnet for months. <br \/>Give feedback. Squash bugs. <br \/>Wait for that sweet airdrop\u2026 <\/p>\n<p>Binance Alpha: walks in last minute and gets the fat slice of the pie.<br \/>damn.. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/x2BbItk9Xu\">pic.twitter.com\/x2BbItk9Xu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 satyaa (@satyaXBT) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/satyaXBT\/status\/1922475294625030446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The launch of the Alpha platform, built into its Web3 wallet, was <a href=\"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/news\/binance-unveils-alpha-platform-for-early-stage-crypto-projects\">announced in December 2024<\/a> by the world\u2019s largest crypto exchange.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Binance Wallet has captured the lion\u2019s share of on-chain trading activity thanks to the launch of the Alpha Points mechanic. Users who trade on Binance Alpha and keep funds within the exchange\u2019s ecosystem earn points. Points can later be used to join TGEs and receive airdrops. In recent weeks Binance Wallet has accounted for up [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24027,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"select":"","news_style_id":"","cryptorium_level":"","_short_excerpt_text":"","creation_source":"","_metatest_mainpost_news_update":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[1158,744,1150],"class_list":["post-24028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-analysis","tag-airdrops","tag-binance","tag-news-plus"],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"views":"359","promo_type":"","layout_type":"","short_excerpt":"","is_update":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24028\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}