zkSync, a prominent Ethereum zero-knowledge (ZK) layer-2 scaler, is under scrutiny from the crypto community due to accusations of inadequate anti-Sybil measures in the distribution of its zkSync (ZK) token airdrop. Critics claim this has led to widespread farming and unfair distribution.
Mudit Gupta, Chief Information Security Officer at zkSync rival Polygon, voiced his concerns on X, calling the zkSync airdrop “the most farmable and farmed airdrop ever” and noting an apparent lack of Sybil filtering. “Anyone who knew the criteria could’ve easily farmed the shit out of it,” Gupta stated.
Earlier in the day, zkSync announced that 695,232 wallets were eligible to claim its ZK token airdrop, outlining seven eligibility criteria designed to prevent Sybil attacks, where multiple wallets are used to manipulate airdrop distributions. However, Adam Cochran, a partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, criticized the criteria as being too easy for farmers to exploit while potentially excluding genuine users.
In response to the backlash, crypto analytics firm Nansen clarified that it did not perform anti-Sybil checks or advise on token allocations for the airdrop. Instead, Nansen provided data on specific wallet segments, including “whales and known scammers.”
Crypto researcher “Ignas” highlighted that zkSync intentionally avoided strict anti-Sybil measures, citing a press release that claimed, “Sybil detection often cuts out real users with arbitrary filters.”
Sybil-tracking X account “Sybil Horror 6” used data from LayerZero Labs to estimate that approximately 135 million ZK tokens could be allocated to Sybil wallets, potentially worth up to $52.3 million based on pre-market prices on Aevo and PancakeSwap.
The value of the ZK token has dropped around 43% in the past 24 hours on both markets, with significant declines following the release of airdrop details.
Matter Labs, the development firm behind zkSync, has not yet responded to requests for comment.