ZKSwap V3 Airdrop Details: How ZKS Tokens Were Distributed by ZKBase

• DATE: 2 12 25
• BY: Stellan Marwick

Many people confuse ZKSwap and ZKBase as the same project - but they’re not. ZKSwap is a Layer 2 decentralized exchange built on ZK-Rollup tech. ZKBase is the parent ecosystem that includes ZKSwap, ZKSquare, and other infrastructure. And while ZKBase has its own ZKB token, the big airdrop everyone talks about was for ZKSwap’s V3 testnet - and it used ZKS tokens, not ZKB.

What Actually Happened in the ZKSwap V3 Airdrop?

The ZKSwap V3 testnet airdrop didn’t happen in 2025. It ended in December 2021. If you’re looking to claim tokens now, you’re too late. But understanding how it worked helps you spot real airdrops in the future - and avoid scams.

The goal? Get real users to test the new version of ZKSwap before it went live. They needed people to break things, find bugs, and write detailed feedback. Not just click a button and walk away.

Here’s how it worked:

1. You had to connect your MetaMask wallet to the Ethereum Rinkeby test network.
2. You had to use the ZKSwap V3 testnet interface - trading, adding liquidity, interacting with NFTs.
3. You had to write a 300+ word review on the ZKSwap forum about your experience.
4. You had to post that review link on Twitter with the hashtag #V3TestnetFeedback# and include your wallet address.

That’s it. No KYC. No deposit. No wallet seeding. Just real usage and honest feedback.

How Were Rewards Distributed?

The total reward pool was 50,000 ZKS tokens - worth about $30,000 at the time. But it wasn’t split evenly.

There were two tiers:

• Best Contribution Award: 60 winners got 500 ZKS each. These were people who found critical bugs, wrote clear, detailed reports, and explained how to reproduce issues. Quality over quantity.
• Honorable Mention Award: 200 participants got 100 ZKS each. These were users who completed the basic requirements but didn’t go as deep.

And here’s the catch: if you used multiple wallets from the same IP address, only the one with the highest reward qualified got paid. No gaming the system.

Rewards were distributed by December 23, 2021. No delays. No excuses. The team paid out exactly as promised.

ZKBase and ZKB - What’s the Difference?

This is where most people get lost. ZKBase is the company behind ZKSwap. Think of ZKBase as the parent company and ZKSwap as one of its products - like how Google owns YouTube.

ZKBase’s native token is ZKB. It has a max supply of 600 million. As of 2025, around 197 million ZKB are in circulation. But here’s the key: there was no ZKB airdrop tied to ZKSwap V3.

The ZKS token is what powered ZKSwap. It was used for governance, fee discounts, and staking rewards on the DEX. ZKB was meant for broader ecosystem use - payments, infrastructure, future products. They’re two different tokens with two different purposes.

Confusing ZKS with ZKB is like thinking the Ethereum token (ETH) is the same as the Chainlink token (LINK). They’re on the same network, but they’re not the same thing.

Why Did ZKSwap Run This Airdrop?

In 2021, Layer 2 solutions were exploding. Everyone was talking about scaling Ethereum. But no one knew if these new systems actually worked under real use.

ZKSwap needed to prove their V3 upgrade was stable. They needed:

• Real transaction volume on testnet
• Proof that NFT trading worked without gas fees
• Feedback on UI/UX changes

Instead of paying developers to test it, they turned to the community. And it worked. The feedback from those 260 participants helped fix critical bugs before mainnet launch.

This wasn’t a marketing stunt. It was engineering. And it’s one of the cleanest examples of a community-driven testnet incentive program in DeFi.

What You Can Learn From This Airdrop

If you’re looking for future airdrops, here’s what to watch for:

• Real work required: If an airdrop asks you to just hold a token or connect a wallet - be skeptical. The best ones ask you to use the product.
• Clear rules: ZKSwap published exact word counts, hashtag formats, and deadlines. No vague promises.
• Wallet linking: Rewards were tied to specific addresses. No fake claims.
• No KYC: You didn’t need to hand over your ID. Privacy was built in.

Also, always check the official website. ZKSwap’s blog had step-by-step guides for connecting MetaMask to Rinkeby, getting test ETH, and using the testnet. If you can’t find official documentation - it’s probably a scam.

Is There a ZKSwap V3 Airdrop in 2025?

No. The V3 testnet airdrop ended in 2021. ZKSwap has moved on. The mainnet is live. The protocol has evolved. ZKBase continues developing ZKB, but no new airdrops have been announced as of December 2025.

Don’t fall for fake websites or Discord groups claiming you can still claim ZKS or ZKB from the V3 drop. Those are phishing traps. The original airdrop is long over.

If you want to get involved now, focus on:

• Buying or trading ZKB on supported exchanges (like Gate.io or MEXC)
• Using ZKSwap’s mainnet DEX for low-fee trading
• Staking ZKS if you still hold it (though liquidity rewards have changed)

What Happened to the ZKS Tokens?

The original ZKSwap airdrop in February 2021 distributed 80 million ZKS tokens to existing holders. That was a one-time snapshot-based distribution. The V3 testnet airdrop was separate - 50,000 ZKS for testers.

Today, ZKS is still active on the ZKSwap mainnet. It’s used for:

• Reducing trading fees
• Participating in governance votes
• Staking for yield (though rewards are lower than in 2021)

But if you didn’t participate in 2021, you can’t claim those tokens now. They’re not being redistributed.

Final Thoughts

The ZKSwap V3 airdrop wasn’t about free money. It was about building trust. The team didn’t just hand out tokens - they asked users to help them build something better. And in return, they paid fairly and transparently.

That’s the difference between a real crypto project and a pump-and-dump scheme.

Today, ZKBase continues to expand its ecosystem. ZKSwap remains one of the most efficient ZK-Rollup DEXs. ZKB is still in circulation. But the airdrop? That’s history.

If you’re looking for opportunities now, don’t chase ghosts. Watch for new testnet launches. Follow official channels. And always - always - verify the source before you click anything.