Traders and investors are gearing up for a big week, with many crypto events in the pipeline. Accordingly, heightened volatility is expected, but crypto airdrops provide a gateway worth considering.
Crypto airdrops offer investors a chance to join promising projects at their early stages with little to no initial investment. The following airdrop opportunities may be worth considering for the first week of May.
Miden
Boasting up to $25 million in funding, Miden presents the first crypto airdrop to consider this week. The project enjoys backing from notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), 1kx, Hack VC, and Symbolic Capital.
“Today, we announce our $25 million seed fundraise and spinout from Polygon,” Miden announced recently.
Miden is a ZK-rollup L2 blockchain built on Ethereum and spun from Polygon Labs. It enables private, scalable smart contracts. The project plans to airdrop 10% of its native tokens to Polygon (POL) stakers.
This initiative aims to reward Polygon’s ecosystem and incentivize participation in Miden’s zero-knowledge-powered network. By shifting execution to client devices, this enhances privacy and scalability.
“…Miden can support potentially infinite TPS by supporting client-side proving. It also supports opt-in privacy,” wrote Polygon executive Sandeep Nailwal.
The airdrop aligns with Miden’s integration into Polygon’s AggLayer, boosting cross-chain liquidity. Snapshots for eligibility began shortly after the announcement on April 29, with the mainnet launch scheduled for Q4 2025.
In the meantime, Miden is already planning a testnet, and airdrop farmers can perform the first activities to get a chance to become early users.
Camp Network
Another crypto airdrop to watch is on the Camp Network, which has raised up to $29 million. Investors such as Blockchain Capital, OKX Ventures, HTX Ventures, 1kx, and Maven 11 Capital, among others, back the project.
Camp Network is a Layer-1 blockchain focused on intellectual property (IP) management and AI agent integration. The project launched an incentivized testnet, allowing airdrop farmers to participate by completing simple social tasks to earn points.
“Freaky incentivized testnet update engage with our big steaming hot network of ecosystem partners to climb the leaderboard and win succulent rewards,” Camp Network shared.
Notably, if a token is launched, these points will be converted into project tokens in the future. The points, referred to as “Acorns,” require users to complete tasks like daily check-ins, social media engagement, and interacting with the ecosystem via the testnet faucet.
Mezo
Mezo is the third crypto airdrop to watch for the first week of May. It has raised up to $28.5 million. Backers include Pantera Capital, Multicoin Capital, Ledger, Mantle Network, GSR, Hack VC, and Bybit Exchange.
It is a Bitcoin Layer-2 network focused on enhancing Bitcoin’s utility through borrowing, spending, and earning without selling BTC. It launched a campaign on Galxe where airdrop farmers can complete quests to earn points.
“Complete quests and claim mats! We’ve joined forces with Galxe, so you can earn mats and more—alongside our partners ZeroLend, Velar, Blend, and Pamp Land,” Mezo Network announced.
After completing all the quests, participants can also grab the Galxe Questooor role, with most quests being free. However, for some, airdrop farmers will need to borrow MUSD.
Notably, after opening Galxe tasks on April 24, the Mezo airdrop will remain open until May 27, 2025. Meanwhile, users can also stake to earn points, a function that remains open without a specific deadline.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) is showing renewed strength, rising more than 16% over the last week of April. Despite a difficult year for meme coins, SHIB has held up better than major peers like BONK, PEPE, and DOGE.
Its strong 0.82 correlation with Bitcoin suggests it could benefit further if BTC continues its uptrend. If momentum builds, SHIB could be poised for a major rally, potentially retesting price levels not seen since late 2021.
SHIB Holds Up Better Than Other Meme Coins Amid Market Volatility
This year has been difficult for meme coins overall, with 9 out of the top 10 trading in the red.
Shiba Inu is down 33.11%, but it has performed slightly better than other major meme coins like BONK, PEPE, and DOGE, which have suffered even deeper corrections.
While SHIB’s losses are still significant, its relative resilience could position it more favorably if sentiment across the sector begins to shift.
If the broader crypto market recovers in the second quarter, SHIB could benefit alongside the entire meme coin sector. Meme coins are known for their exaggerated moves — large-cap meme coins tend to post even bigger percentage gains when the crypto market rallies.
However, they also tend to suffer sharper corrections when the market weakens. If momentum returns, SHIB could be one of the first meme coins to react strongly to renewed investor appetite for risk.
SHIB Could Ride Bitcoin’s Momentum as Correlation Hits 0.82
Shiba Inu strongly correlates with Bitcoin (BTC), currently at 0.82.
With Bitcoin gaining momentum for the second quarter, this high correlation could also position SHIB for a strong rally.
Over the last seven days, BTC has increased by more than 10%, while SHIB has climbed by over 16%. This suggests that SHIB is already reacting more aggressively to Bitcoin’s positive price action.
SHIB Correlation With Other Coins. Source: IntoTheBlock.
If Bitcoin continues to rise and breaks above the $100,000 mark—a level many analysts see as possible for Q2—it could trigger new all-time highs for the broader crypto market.
Given its high beta and strong correlation with BTC, a major Bitcoin breakout would likely amplify SHIB’s gains, making it an important token to watch in the coming weeks.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) Needs 182% Rally to Revisit 2021 Highs
In the last major rally, Shiba Inu posted impressive gains, rising 157% between September 18 and December 11, 2024.
That surge reflected a combination of stronger Bitcoin momentum, renewed meme coin hype, and broader retail participation. SHIB price has shown that once momentum builds, its rallies can accelerate quickly, often outpacing the general market.
If SHIB enters a new uptrend cycle, fueled by interest in meme coins and Bitcoin’s push higher, it would need to rise about 182% to retest the $0.000040 level.
This would mark the first time SHIB reaches that price since December 2021. Given its history of sharp rallies once momentum kicks in, SHIB could be well-positioned if the market environment stays bullish.
Bitcoin is stepping beyond its role as a store of value and into DeFi. BTCFi is bringing lending, staking, and yield opportunities directly to the Bitcoin network without middlemen. This shift not only unlocks new financial use cases for Bitcoin holders but also helps secure the network by keeping miners incentivized.
To understand where BTCFi stands today and where it’s headed, BeInCrypto spoke with industry leaders from 1inch, exSat, Babylon and GOAT Network. They shared insights on the current landscape, key challenges, and what’s needed for BTCFi to reach its full potential.
Key trends and explosive growth in 2024
The year 2024 marked a pivotal period for BTCfi, characterized by remarkable growth metrics. According toDefiLlama, the Total Value Locked (TVL) in Bitcoin-based DeFi protocols experienced an unprecedented surge, escalating from $307 million in January to over $6.5 billion by December 31, 2024, a staggering increase of more than 2,000%. This surge reflects a burgeoning interest and confidence in Bitcoin’s DeFi capabilities.
BTCFi’s growth is driven by a mix of institutional adoption, market performance, and technological advancements. The approval of Bitcoin ETFs has fueled institutional interest, pushing BTCFi’s total value locked (TVL) higher. Major exchanges like Binance and OKX are integrating BTCFi services, improving accessibility and liquidity. Bitcoin’s strong market performance, hitting an all-time high of $108,268 in December 2024 before closing at $93,429, has further boosted confidence.
Source: Glassnode
At the same time, innovations like Bitcoin-native assets, wrapped BTC, and staking solutions are expanding Bitcoin’s role in DeFi. Projects such as exSat, GOAT Network, Babylon and 1inch are leading the way with new protocols that enhance Bitcoin’s DeFi potential.
As BTCFi continues to evolve, one fundamental truth remains unchanged – demand for Bitcoin itself. Kevin Liu, co-founder of GOAT Network, encapsulates this sentiment: “All of us want more BTC, because it’s the king of all tokens. Whichever projects succeed in delivering real BTC yield will flourish, because they’re giving people exactly what they want. This is true now, and it will be true 3-5 years from now.”
Shalini Wood, CMO of Babylon, captures this shift, stating: “We’re seeing a shift where Bitcoin is no longer just something you HODL. Innovations in Bitcoin staking, lending, and trustless interoperability will define the next wave of BTCFi. BTCFi will evolve beyond traditional DeFi models, leveraging Bitcoin’s security to support sovereign applications, cross-chain liquidity, and more scalable, trust-minimized financial products. The goal is to carve out a distinct, Bitcoin-native approach that enhances security and decentralization across the entire crypto ecosystem.”
Tristan Dickinson, CMO exSat Network: “Enabling Bitcoin yield and DeFi-based strategies without sacrificing control of native Bitcoin is crucial. Bitcoin has fulfilled its original purpose as a store of value, evolving it into a tool for value creation requires meeting some very specific criteria: preserving native Bitcoin security, ensuring interoperability between ecosystems, and supporting complex smart contracts.
At the same time, regulatory developments in the U.S. are reshaping the BTCFi landscape. The prospect of a government-backed Bitcoin reserve lends legitimacy to BTC as a financial asset, potentially attracting institutional investors. However, as Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1inch, points out, regulation remains a double-edged sword: “Some policies support innovation, while others could tighten controls on BTCFi. Clear regulations on existing DeFi and smart contracts will be crucial for its growth.”
The next phase of BTCFi will be defined by the balance between innovation and regulation. While Bitcoin’s decentralized nature makes it resistant to government interference, regulatory clarity could provide the stability needed for mainstream adoption. The question remains — will policymakers embrace BTCFi as a transformative financial force, or will they attempt to contain its potential?
How Much Starting Capital Do You Really Need?
The world of Bitcoin Finance (BTCFi) is evolving rapidly, offering opportunities for both institutional investors and everyday users. But how much capital do you actually need to get started?
Shalini Wood, emphasizes that “BTCFi is not just about individual participation—it’s about unlocking capital efficiency for Bitcoin at scale. BTCFi is designed to maximize security and reward opportunities while keeping Bitcoin’s core principles intact.” Platforms like Babylon, which holds “$4.4 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL),” are driving liquidity and accessibility.
One of the most significant advantages of BTCFi is its accessibility. Traditional finance often has high entry barriers, requiring investors to put down substantial capital to participate in meaningful ways. In contrast, BTCFi allows users to start with much smaller amounts, thanks to the efficiency of Bitcoin sidechains and second-layer solutions.
Sergej Kunz, highlights this shift, stating that “BTCFi platforms have low entry barriers, with some allowing participation with as little as $100 thanks to Bitcoin sidechains like Rootstock and Lightning-based protocols.” This means that retail investors, who may have previously been excluded from financial opportunities, can now leverage Bitcoin’s growing DeFi ecosystem without needing deep pockets.
This low entry threshold is particularly important in regions where traditional banking infrastructure is weak or inaccessible. BTCFi can provide people in emerging markets with new ways to save, earn yield, and access financial services without relying on intermediaries.
Kevin Liu, explains this philosophy: “The best BTCFi solutions won’t require users to be whales; rather, they’ll give both whales and guppies the opportunity to earn real BTC yield. A well-designed BTCFi-focused ecosystem will allot the exact same annual returns (by percentage) to a user who stakes $1 million, vs. another who stakes $100.”
This principle is crucial because it aligns with Bitcoin’s original ethos of financial fairness and open participation. In a world where traditional financial products often favor the wealthy with better interest rates and lower fees, BTCFi is aiming to level the playing field.
Ultimately, whether you’re a small investor or a deep-pocketed institution, BTCFi platforms are increasingly designed to accommodate all levels of participation, ensuring that Bitcoin’s financial ecosystem remains open and rewarding for everyone.
BTCFi: A Gateway to Earning Without Leaving Bitcoin
With the rise of Bitcoin Finance (BTCFi), crypto users now have more ways to earn from their BTC without relying on centralized platforms. “BTCFi is becoming more accessible, enabling users to lend, stake, and trade BTC without relying on centralized platforms,” explains Sergej Kunz. While APR programs and staking options on Ethereum or Solana may offer higher yields, he notes that “BTCFi allows users to earn on BTC without leaving the Bitcoin ecosystem, making it a strong alternative for long-term holders.”
Tristan Dickinson, highlights the rapid expansion of Bitcoin’s Layer 2 ecosystem: “Today, there are over 70+ Bitcoin L2 projects working to expand access to and from the Bitcoin ecosystem, but the ecosystem is immature. Basic DeFi instruments like staking are emerging, yet only a few players, maybe three to five, offer true staking with token and APY programs.”
He emphasizes that Bitcoin DeFi is on an inevitable growth trajectory: “First comes staking, then re-staking, followed by diversified yield, collateralized lending and borrowing, and eventually an explosion in structured financial products. Some projects are leading, others are following.”
exSat’s approach aims to accelerate this evolution by mirroring Bitcoin’s data while integrating it with DeFi innovations. “Creating a mirrored version of Bitcoin with identical (UTXO) data and similar partners is the first true scaling solution for the ecosystem. Combining the best parts of Bitcoin with the most powerful elements of DeFi is the only path to meaningful BTCFi growth,” Dickinson concludes.
As BTCFi continues to mature, its ability to offer decentralized yield opportunities without compromising Bitcoin’s core principles is positioning it as a compelling alternative for long-term BTC holders.
Kevin Liu, highlights the growing divide in user behavior: “We’ll likely see growth in both groups – people who simply buy BTC on centralized exchanges and either leave it alone or maybe ape into limited-time APR promotions on those CEXes, and people who watch centralized exchanges get hacked and/or appreciate the power of ‘not your keys, not your coins’ and thus seek out decentralized options.” As Bitcoin adoption increases, Liu predicts that more users will explore BTCFi solutions to generate yield without handing control of their assets to centralized exchanges.
With Bitcoin remaining “the single most powerful asset since it came into existence 16 years ago,” BTCFi is poised to attract both casual holders and those seeking decentralized earning opportunities, helping drive mass adoption in the process.
BTCFi vs. DeFi on Ethereum and Solana: Key Differences and Similarities
As Bitcoin Finance (BTCFi) continues to evolve, it is increasingly compared to the established DeFi ecosystems on Ethereum and Solana. While all three aim to provide financial opportunities beyond traditional banking, they differ in design, security, and user experience.
Ethereum has long been the dominant force in decentralized finance, known for its robust smart contract capabilities and extensive range of DeFi applications. “Ethereum has encouraged smart contract development and as many DeFi use cases as you can possibly imagine,” explains Kevin Liu. The ecosystem has fostered innovations in lending, automated market-making, and derivatives, making it the go-to platform for developers experimenting with new financial models. However, Ethereum’s strengths also come with challenges, high gas fees and network congestion can limit accessibility for smaller investors.
Solana, on the other hand, was designed with speed and efficiency in mind. Its high throughput and low fees make it an attractive choice for retail users and traders looking for fast execution times. “Solana stands out for its speed and low fees,” notes Sergej Kunz. This efficiency has allowed Solana’s DeFi ecosystem to flourish, with platforms like Raydium, Jupiter, and Kamino providing seamless trading and yield farming experiences. However, the trade-off comes in the form of higher hardware requirements for validators and periodic network outages, which have raised concerns about decentralization and stability.
Bitcoin, in contrast, follows a fundamentally different philosophy. It prioritizes security and decentralization above all else, which historically limited its ability to support complex smart contracts. “BTCFi is built on Bitcoin’s battle-tested PoW security, ensuring minimal trust assumptions and censorship resistance,” says Shalini Wood. Rather than trying to replicate Ethereum’s DeFi model, BTCFi is developing its own distinct approach, leveraging Bitcoin’s unparalleled security while introducing financial applications tailored for BTC holders.
“THORChain, Sovryn, and Stackswap are among the projects offering native BTC DeFi solutions, bridging the gap between Bitcoin’s security and Ethereum’s programmability,” adds SergejKunz. These platforms allow users to engage in decentralized trading and lending while keeping custody of their Bitcoin, avoiding the risks associated with wrapped BTC on other chains. As BTCFi infrastructure matures, it is expected to carve out its own niche, the one that remains true to Bitcoin’s principles while expanding its financial utility.
In the end, while Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin each offer unique strengths, BTCFi is proving that Bitcoin is no longer just a passive store of value. It is evolving into a fully functional financial ecosystem, leveraging its unmatched security to create decentralized applications that don’t compromise on decentralization or trust minimization.
