Cardano Founder Explains Why Many ADA Holders Missed Glacier Airdrop
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has outlined the key reasons why a segment of ADA holders did not receive the recently launched Glacier airdrop. First, ADA stored on custodial exchanges or within DeFi smart contracts did not qualify for the snapshot cut-off, as these platforms lacked direct support for the airdrop protocol. Second, some users delegated or restaked their ADA after the designated snapshot epoch, making their balances ineligible. Third, wallets that did not implement the required CIP metadata standards failed to recognise and claim the tokens. Hoskinson emphasised the importance of using Cardano-native wallets, staking before the snapshot, and holding ADA in simple UTXO addresses to ensure future airdrop eligibility. He reassured the community that unclaimed tokens will be redistributed to active participants in upcoming governance initiatives. ADA traders should note these technical and timing conditions when positioning for future Cardano incentive events.
Neutral
The announcement clarifies technical requirements rather than signalling a fundamental shift in Cardano’s value proposition. While some holders missed out, the protocol’s incentive mechanisms remain intact and the redistribution plan mitigates disappointment. Traders can maintain current ADA positions without expecting large price swings solely from this news. In the short term, minor volatility could arise as users migrate funds to compliant wallets, but long-term confidence in Cardano’s governance and reward systems should remain steady.