Market
Binance Reveals the Dark Side of Crypto Airdrops

While crypto airdrops are always expected to fuel fortunes and adoption, Binance’s latest report exposes deep flaws. Reduced rewards, insider profit, and bot exploits are increasingly impacting community trust in airdrops.
Once a growth engine, crypto airdrops now risk becoming liabilities. Can the industry fix them before users lose faith?
Binance’s Analysis of Recent Crypto Airdrops
This report highlights the flawed system that is turning excitement into frustration. With this, Binance poses the rhetoric: Are airdrops crypto’s golden ticket or a ticking time bomb?
Binance exchange’s analysis gives Pudgy Penguins’ airdrop a near-universal 10/10 acclaim in community sentiment. Hyperliquid followed closely with a 9/10 rating after handsomely rewarding and setting new DeFi standards.

However, the fallout is swift and severe when airdrops fail to deliver. The Binance research cites Redstone (RED), which originally pledged 9.5% of its token supply to the community and slashed it to 5% at the last moment.
This triggered widespread backlash and a dismal 2/10 sentiment score, according to Binance’s Grok AI analysis.
It also cites Scroll’s October 2024 airdrop as another disaster, highlighting vague rules and an unclear eligibility snapshot leading to a disappointing 3/10 rating.
Similarly, in February 2025, Kaito distributed 43.3% of its supply to insiders while allocating a mere 10% to the community. The move saw influencers quickly dump their holdings, eroding trust.
Further, the report cites Sybil farming, where bots amass tokens in bulk. Technical failures such as Magic Eden’s botched claim process in December 2024 have further fueled user discontent.

Why Most Airdrops Fail to Deliver
Beyond exposing flaws, Binance’s report dissects the mechanics behind these failures—last-minute allocation changes, like Redstone’s, signal poor planning and damage credibility. Lack of transparency, as seen in Scroll’s unclear eligibility criteria, breeds suspicion of favoritism.
Insider-heavy token distributions, such as Kaito’s, alienate retail participants. Meanwhile, technical inefficiencies, including Magic Eden’s malfunctioning wallet claims, turn airdrops into frustrating user experiences.
With billions at stake, these issues are no longer minor hiccups but existential threats to the legitimacy of the crypto airdrop model.
“Tokens are a new asset class….Airdrops are their wild frontier,” wrote Binance macro researcher Joshua Wong.
Despite the turmoil, Binance outlines a potential path forward to restore confidence in crypto airdrops. First, it calls for transparency, urging retroactive airdrops to set clear eligibility criteria in advance.
Meanwhile, engagement-based models should commit to fixed point-to-token ratios.
Next, projects must prioritize genuine community engagement, treating tokens as more than just digital assets as tools for building loyal ecosystems.
Finally, technical solutions such as on-chain monitoring and proof-of-humanity tools, like those employed by LayerZero, could help combat Sybil farming and enhance fairness.
Taken together, Binance’s report is a wake-up call that while crypto airdrops present a unique opportunity to democratize wealth and strengthen blockchain communities, they also risk collapsing under the weight of mismanagement and exploitation.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Crypto Whales Bought These 3 Coins Recently

Crypto whales bought Optimism (OP), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Worldcoin (WLD) in recent days. OP saw a rise in large holders despite being down 73% over the past year, while DOGE whale wallets climbed to a two-week high as meme coin sentiment shows signs of recovery.
WLD also attracted accumulation, even after a 19% drop in the last 30 days, with whales adding to their positions over the last four days. This shift in on-chain behavior suggests that some big players may be preparing for a potential rebound across these assets.
Optimism (OP)
Despite Optimism experiencing a prolonged downtrend and a nearly 73% drop over the past year, on-chain data reveals a subtle but notable shift: the number of wallets holding at least 10,000 OP has increased from 4,303 to 4,313 in the last five days.
This uptick suggests that some larger investors may be accumulating OP at lower prices, potentially positioning for a long-term reversal.
While OP has struggled to gain traction this cycle—remaining below the $2 mark since early January—this quiet accumulation could be an early sign of growing confidence among more seasoned holders.

If this accumulation translates into renewed bullish momentum, OP may attempt to reclaim key resistance levels, starting with $0.93.
A successful breakout could lead to a push toward $1.06, and if buying pressure accelerates, $1.20 becomes a reasonable upside target.
On the flip side, if selling pressure remains dominant and no meaningful shift in momentum occurs, OP could continue its slide, with $0.74 acting as a key support level. A break below that could send the price below $0.70, reinforcing the downtrend and keeping investors cautious in the near term.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin, the largest meme coin by market cap, is seeing renewed interest from large holders. On-chain data reveals that crypto whales bought DOGE over the past week.
Specifically, the number of wallets holding between 10 million and 100 million DOGE rose from 740 to 747—the highest level in two weeks.
This suggests that big players may be positioning ahead of a potential rebound in the meme coin space, anticipating a shift in market sentiment. With DOGE historically responding strongly to meme coin hype, this uptick in whale activity could be a key early signal.

If momentum builds and meme coins stage a broader recovery, DOGE could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. A bullish breakout could send the price to test resistance around $0.19, and if that level is broken, further gains toward $0.22 and even $0.24 may follow.
However, if the current market correction deepens, DOGE may retest support at $0.16, with a possible drop to $0.143 if selling pressure increases.
For now, whale accumulation offers a promising sign—but price direction will likely hinge on whether broader meme coin momentum returns.
Worldcoin (WLD)
Worldcoin, once one of the most hyped AI-related cryptocurrencies, has struggled to maintain its momentum in recent months, with its price falling nearly 19% over the past 30 days.
Despite this decline, recent on-chain data shows that crypto whales have started accumulating WLD again. Over the last four days, the number of wallets holding between 10,000 and 1,000,000 WLD increased from 1,123 to 1,138.
This accumulation could signal growing confidence that WLD may soon find a bottom.

If buying momentum continues to build, WLD could attempt a short-term recovery. The first key resistance level is $0.91.
A breakout above that could fuel a stronger rally toward $1.25, helping Worldcoin regain some of its lost ground.
However, if bearish sentiment remains dominant, WLD may retest support at $0.80, and a break below that level could send it down further to $0.69.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Trump Pardons BitMEX Founders, Sparking Community Unease

President Trump just issued a pardon for BitMEX’s three founders, who pled guilty to money laundering charges in 2022. Unlike the case of Ross Ulbricht, there was no popular movement for these pardons, sparking community confusion.
Since the pardons went out, Sam Bankman-Fried’s Polymarket odds of receiving a pardon have skyrocketed. However, this has also created a sense of unease, especially with the rampant scams and frauds in crypto today.
Trump Issues BitMEX Pardons
BitMEX is a centralized exchange with a long history in the crypto space, but it has faced its share of controversies. In 2020, it was sued in the US for alleged money laundering.
Its founders, Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo, and Samuel Reed, pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, but President Trump just pardoned all three in a shocking move.
Trump did little to publicize these pardons, as neither he nor any of the recipients have yet made a public statement regarding the move. These men only faced fines, probation, and house arrest, and all were completely free at the time. Arthur Hayes remains an influential commentator, but he has no further involvement with BitMEX.
To call this move unexpected would be an understatement. Trump has given other crypto-related pardons, like with Ross Ulbricht, to be fair.
However, Ulbricht’s case was a cause célèbre in the community. There were no corresponding vocal calls to issue BitMEX pardons, especially considering the founders’ light sentences.
In short, most of the crypto space’s reactions have been negative. At the time, even government crypto allies like “Crypto Mom” Hester Peirce supported the BitMEX arrests, and money laundering has never been popular in the space. The crypto community is struggling to find a clear motivation for Trump’s pardons other than outright corruption.
“My God, everything is for sale. I think he’ll pardon Sam Bankman-Fried,” said author Jacob Silverman.
For the last few months, FTX mastermind Sam Bankman-Fried and his family have been lobbying President Trump for a pardon. The community mostly considered this possibility a long shot, especially because Bankman-Fried directly opposed Trump in the 2020 election. Since the BitMEX pardons, Bankman-Fried’s Polymarket odds have shot up:

In short, it doesn’t even look like this will be bullish for the markets. The crypto industry is in an unprecedented wave of scams, and some commentators worry that it could damage industry confidence. If Trump continues issuing pardons without a clear reason, it may embolden bad actors.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Coinbase Users Lost $46 Million to Crypto Scams in March

According to ZachXBT, a Coinbase user lost $34.9 billion to scammers on Thursday, March 27. However, this is not an isolated trend, as Coinbase users have collectively lost more than $46 million to scams in March.
Scammers are targeting the exchange’s user base with a long track record of success. Coinbase customers should be on alert for social engineering attempts
Coinbase Scams are Growing Out of Control
Despite being one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, Coinbase has been under scrutiny as its users are increasingly falling victim to scams. For over a year, sophisticated social engineering operations have been responsible for massive thefts.
According to ZachXBT, these scammers are showing no signs of stopping:
“It is suspected a Coinbase user was scammed yesterday for $34.9 million. After uncovering this theft, I noticed multiple other suspected thefts from Coinbase users in the past two weeks bringing the total stolen this month to $46 million+. Coinbase has not flagged any of the theft addresses from these victims in compliance tools,” he said via Telegram.
ZachXBT, a prominent crypto sleuth, has been persistently tracking scams against Coinbase users. Over the last few months, he’s identified several big crimes that relied on social engineering instead of outright hacks.
For example, last November, criminals posing as Coinbase Support managed to steal over $6.5 million.
This has reached the point where he claims that Coinbase is in a crisis of fraud and scams. Last month, ZachXBT estimated $150 million in annual losses, and he has now upgraded this to $300 million.
He hasn’t named any of his theories about the culprit or culprits. It could be an organized group, multiple independent actors, or other possibilities.
However, the exchange’s response to these events has been rather underwhelming. ZachXBT claimed that Coinbase has been downright passive about these huge scams, failing to warn users or cooperate with investigators.
In a recent social media post, he accused Coinbase of apathy towards these incidents:
“I have yet to see an incident where Coinbase flagged theft addresses. They are part of the problem, it shows they are not taking care of users,” he claimed.
Overall, given the increasing rate of these scams and the staggering amount of funds lost, Coinbase’s users should certainly be cautious about social engineering threats.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
-
Market22 hours ago
HyperLiquid Responds to JELLY Crisis Amid Community Backlash
-
Market21 hours ago
Binance Alpha Lists Ghibli Meme Coins Amid ChatGPT Hype
-
Altcoin21 hours ago
Dogecoin Cup And Handle Pattern Signals Recovery To $0.4, Here’s How
-
Market20 hours ago
Why BTC Price Stayed Unchanged
-
Market19 hours ago
Bitcoin Price Stalls at $88K—Can Bulls Overcome Key Resistance?
-
Market23 hours ago
Onyxcoin (XCN) Nears Oversold After a 30% Monthly Drop
-
Altcoin23 hours ago
Analyst Reveals Why The XRP Price Will Dominate Bitcoin & Ethereum
-
Bitcoin23 hours ago
Bitcoin Bet Grows Bigger: The Blockchain Group Snaps Up 580 BTC