Many people got confused when they heard about a ZKSwap V3 airdrop and started searching for ZKB tokens. But here’s the truth: ZKBase (ZKB) and ZKSwap (ZKS) are two different projects. The ZKSwap V3 airdrop didn’t involve ZKB at all. It was all about ZKS tokens - and it’s been over since 2021. If you’re looking to claim something now, you’re too late. But if you want to understand what actually happened, why it mattered, and how to avoid mixing up similar-sounding projects, this is the full story.

What Was the ZKSwap V3 Airdrop?

ZKSwap is a decentralized exchange built on Ethereum using ZK-Rollup technology. That means it handles trades faster and cheaper than the main Ethereum network - no gas fees for traders or liquidity providers. In December 2021, they launched the V3 testnet, which added major upgrades like NFT trading support and a smoother interface. To test it, they ran a small but smart airdrop: 50,000 ZKS tokens total, split between two reward tiers.

This wasn’t a free-for-all. You couldn’t just connect your wallet and get tokens. You had to prove you actually used the platform. Participants needed to write a detailed review of at least 300 words on the ZKSwap forum about their experience with the testnet. Then, they had to post a link to that review on Twitter with the hashtag #V3TestnetFeedback# and include their Ethereum wallet address. That’s it. No bots, no spam, no shortcuts.

How the Rewards Were Split

The 50,000 ZKS tokens were distributed in two ways:

• Best Contribution Award: 60 people got 500 ZKS each (totaling 30,000 ZKS). These were users who wrote the most thorough, accurate, and helpful reviews - often spotting bugs others missed or suggesting real improvements.
• Honorable Mention Award: 200 people got 100 ZKS each (totaling 20,000 ZKS). These were participants who met the basic requirements but didn’t stand out as much in depth or insight.

Only one wallet per IP address could claim a reward. If you had five wallets linked to the same home network, only the one with the highest-ranked review got paid. This stopped people from gaming the system with multiple accounts.

Rewards were distributed by December 23, 2021. No extensions. No exceptions. If you didn’t submit your review before December 14, you missed it.

Why ZKB (ZKBase) Has Nothing to Do With This

ZKBase is a separate blockchain project. It’s not a version of ZKSwap. It’s a whole different ecosystem with its own token: ZKB. ZKBase has three main parts: ZKSwap (yes, they license the name), ZKSquare (a payment service), and other infrastructure tools. But ZKBase has never done a ZKB airdrop tied to ZKSwap V3.

Here’s the confusion: ZKBase’s website mentions ZKSwap as one of its components. That makes people think they’re the same thing. But ZKSwap as a DEX was originally created independently. ZKBase later adopted it as part of their broader platform. The tokens are different. The airdrops are different. The teams are different.

As of 2026, ZKB has a circulating supply of about 197 million tokens. But there’s no record of ZKBase ever running a public airdrop for ZKB. If someone tells you they’re giving out ZKB tokens because of ZKSwap V3, they’re wrong - or lying.

What You Actually Got From the ZKSwap V3 Airdrop

At the time, ZKS was trading around $0.60. That meant 500 ZKS was worth about $300. 100 ZKS was about $60. For someone who spent a few hours writing a thoughtful review, that was a solid return - especially compared to the hours spent on other airdrops that paid in worthless tokens.

The real value wasn’t just the cash. It was access. The top contributors got early visibility with the ZKSwap team. Some were invited to join future testing rounds. Others became community moderators. This wasn’t just a giveaway - it was a way to find and reward the most engaged users.

And here’s something important: ZKSwap didn’t give tokens to team members or angel investors during this airdrop. Those tokens were locked separately. That’s rare. Most projects reward insiders first. ZKSwap made sure regular users got the spotlight.

How ZKSwap V3 Changed the Game

The V3 upgrade wasn’t just cosmetic. Before V3, ZKSwap could handle about 2,000 transactions per second. V3 pushed that to over 10,000. NFT trading, which was clunky on earlier versions, became smooth. Users could mint, swap, and list NFTs without paying gas fees - something even big platforms like OpenSea couldn’t do at the time.

The testnet airdrop was the final stress test. The team needed real-world feedback. Did the interface confuse people? Did the NFT marketplace lag? Were there hidden bugs? The 260 reviewers gave them the answers. That’s why the review requirement wasn’t a gimmick - it was essential.

Why This Airdrop Still Matters Today

Most airdrops are dead by the time they’re announced. But ZKSwap V3’s approach set a standard. It rewarded effort, not just wallet ownership. It didn’t flood the market with useless tokens. It used the airdrop as a quality control tool.

Today, projects still copy this model. When Arbitrum, zkSync, or Polygon did their own testnet rewards, they used similar rules: write feedback, link your wallet, prove you used the product. ZKSwap didn’t invent it - but they did it better than most.

And if you’re looking at ZKB tokens now, wondering if you missed out on something - you didn’t. ZKB has no connection to ZKSwap’s past airdrops. The only way to get ZKB is to buy it on an exchange. There’s no free distribution tied to ZKSwap activity.

What to Do If Someone Promises a ZKB Airdrop Now

If you see a website or Telegram group saying, “Claim your ZKB tokens from ZKSwap V3,” close it. That’s a scam. ZKSwap V3 ended in 2021. ZKBase has never done a public ZKB airdrop. No legitimate project will ask you to send crypto to “unlock” your airdrop. No official link will ask for your private key.

Always check the official ZKSwap blog or ZKBase website. Look for announcements from verified Twitter accounts. If it’s not on their official channels, it’s fake.

Where to Find Historical ZKS Tokens

ZKS tokens still exist. They’re listed on exchanges like Gate.io, LBank, and MEXC. But they’re no longer distributed through airdrops. The last major distribution was in February 2021, when ZKSwap did a 1:1 airdrop of 80 million ZKS to existing holders. That was the big one. V3 was the last small testnet round.

If you held ZKS in your wallet back then, you got those tokens. If you didn’t - you can still buy them, but you won’t get any free ones.

Final Thoughts

The ZKSwap V3 airdrop wasn’t about getting rich quick. It was about building a better product with real users. It’s a rare example of a crypto project treating its community like partners, not just wallets. The ZKB token? It’s a separate story. Don’t let the similar names fool you.

If you’re researching airdrops now, always check: Who’s running it? What’s the token? When did it happen? And most importantly - is it real? The ZKSwap V3 case shows that the best airdrops aren’t the ones with the biggest payouts. They’re the ones that actually improve the platform - and reward the people who help make that happen.