I don't think there is a human being who doesn't enjoy winning something "for free"...
Enough of us (I don't dare say most) understand free stuff isn't really free. In most cases, it is either a way to build or reward loyalty, which comes in different forms:
- big spender
- repeat buyer
- long-term customer
- long-term user
- very active user
- big stakeholder
- contributor
- etc.
Just think about it... When do you potentially get free stuff in big shops? After you spend a lot with them, or small samples to attract you as a customer for a certain product.
A relatively similar situation we encounter in crypto, where airdrops or other benefits have eligibility criteria. Among the most common criteria is the stake held in a certain asset or assets that is used to determine both the eligibility and the amount of airdropped items the recipient is entitled to. In other cases, activity is used as an eligibility criterion. Have you used our app before the snapshot? You are eligible.
As we know, the bull market is generally full of such airdrops in the crypto sphere. But are you eligible to receive them?
Even on Hive, we had such examples. Ragnorak's airdrop was based on Hive Power.
I don't remember what "list" was used by most tribe tokens to make their airdrops on Hive-Engine. Was it the distribution of Palnet, the original tribe? I know CTP used the distribution of LEO for its airdrop.
There are many other cases where HP can be used as support. The most recent example is Holozing and the significant claimdrops made to HP delegators to the project.
And other situations when holding significant amounts of other tokens has proven beneficial over time. Having staked SPS continuously gives the holder VOUCHER tokens on top of the staking rewards, it was a criterion of eligibility for dropping GLX tokens for one year and influences the amount of SPS rewards one receives in Ranked Battles. And in the sooniverse, it will be one of the criteria to be airdropped COLONY tokens. Not bad for holding one token!
But there are other examples too. One example newer people probably aren't accustomed to is SIM from dCity. You don't have to hold it staked (it doesn't even have a staking option), but holding at least 1m of them liquid + in diesel pools makes one a SIM Millionaire, with certain benefits, like the ability to claim a daily citizen (provided you meet other criteria), and the possibility to participate in raffles from time to time, besides sharing the holding rewards. I mention this because I've just won such a raffle, 10 CHAOS, and it's not the only one I won over time. Look here:
It also comes at the right time, since I can always use more Splinterlands cards since I started my Land adventure. The packs are valued at 8 dollars on the 3rd party market, but what if I get a GFL or two in 10 packs? 😀
It looks like I'll do what I always do with them. Open them!
Wait a sec...
I just did it. Bad luck! No legendary, only one GF rare and one epic. Oh well, at least I have more cards, lol.
How about the LEO stake and its almost guarantee to return additional income in the form of advertising revenue, if you use the platform?
Anyway, I include all of them in the category "loyalty rewards". Holding a stake long enough and using it, eventually gives you something in return seemingly "for free". Of course, in the case of a stake, a much better term would be "owner benefits".
Speaking of owner benefits, time to add a little bit more HP to my stake too, since it's HPUD. Only 10 HIVE, as that's the amount I am set to add every month on HPUD during this period. I also added a little bit of HIVE every day last month, to complete the PUM challenge. So another PUM was completed. It's a simple but powerful habit.