- A BONK airdrop to Solana developers in December 2021, originally worth about $300, is now worth over $500,000 due to BONK’s massive price increase.
- The airdrop helped some developers pay bills during the crypto winter, while others may have become wealthy by simply holding the tokens.
- BONK has surged over 800% in the last 30 days, hitting $1 billion market cap, exemplifying how meme coins can turn into life-changing money for some through crypto’s volatility.
Last December, a gift of 25 billion BONK tokens was airdropped to Solana developers in the LamportDAO community. At the time, the airdrop was worth around $300. But today, thanks to BONK’s meteoric rise, those tokens are now worth over $500,000. This unexpected windfall helped some developers pay their bills during the crypto winter, while others may have become crypto-rich by simply holding.
The Airdrop
Shortly after BONK launched, Solana developers who filled out a form in the LamportDAO community received 25 billion BONK tokens in their wallets as a holiday gift. This was around the time that the Solana ecosystem was struggling, with SOL dipping down to $8 after reaching nearly $260 in November 2021. The airdrop, worth about $300 at the time, helped lift spirits in the Solana community. In total, LamportDAO developers received about 5% of the total BONK supply.
Gratitude and Paper Hands
After receiving the airdrop, many developers expressed gratitude. Some said selling the tokens would help them pay essential bills during the brutal crypto bear market. “Wow, thank you so much fren! $800 is two months of rent for me,” wrote one developer. However, those who held onto their BONK are now sitting on over $500,000 worth of tokens. For developers who sold early, it may be painful to see the missed opportunity. But the airdrop helped some survive the crypto winter to build another day.
BONK Takes Off
BONK has surged over 800% in the last 30 days, consistently hitting new all-time highs and exceeding a $1 billion market cap. The meme coin has been booming as Solana rebounds from its FTX-induced slump. While BONK’s per-token value remains low, billions of tokens can add up to life-changing money. For some lucky developers, a small gesture has turned into a big payday thanks to crypto’s volatility. Their meme coin windfall exemplifies why pragmatic investors may scoff at tokens like BONK, but can still end up the fools when they take off.
Conclusion
The BONK airdrop gave some Solana developers a valuable gift when they needed it most. And for any holder with the patience to not cash out, it has provided an unexpected jackpot. While meme coin gains never last forever, BONK has already profoundly changed lives in the Solana community. Its surprise explosion shows how crypto’s wild swings can turn digital trinkets into real-world riches.
