If you’ve been keeping an eye on crypto airdrops in early 2026, you’ve probably heard whispers about ETHPAD’s GRAND airdrop. But here’s the thing - there’s no official website, no whitepaper, and no verified social media announcement from ETHPad themselves. That doesn’t mean it’s fake. It just means you need to be smart before you jump in.

What Is ETHPAD?

ETHPAD is a decentralized platform built on Ethereum that lets users participate in early-stage token sales through a lottery-style system. Unlike traditional launchpads that require large upfront investments, ETHPAD uses a staking mechanism where users lock up ETH or ERC-20 tokens to earn entry into upcoming project sales. Think of it like a raffle ticket - the more you stake, the more tickets you get.

The team behind ETHPAD launched in late 2023 and has processed over 12,000 token sales since then, with a total value locked (TVL) of around $87 million as of January 2026. Their native token, ETHPAD, is used for governance and fee discounts. Holders can vote on which projects get listed, and they receive a cut of platform fees.

What’s the GRAND Airdrop?

The GRAND airdrop is rumored to be ETHPad’s biggest reward distribution yet. According to community discussions on Discord and Telegram, it’s designed to recognize long-term stakers and early adopters. The name “GRAND” stands for Generous Rewards for Active Network Depositors, though this hasn’t been confirmed by official channels.

Here’s what’s being reported by users who claim to have insider info:

• Eligibility is based on staking ETH or ETHPad tokens between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
• Users must have maintained a minimum stake of 1 ETH or 5,000 ETHPAD tokens during that period.
• Airdrop claims are expected to open in March 2026, with tokens distributed to Ethereum wallets.
• Estimated distribution: 50 million ETHPAD tokens, worth roughly $15 million at current prices.
• Claiming requires completing a simple KYC via a third-party provider (likely Jumio or Onfido).

None of this is published on ethpad.io - the site currently redirects to a placeholder page. That’s a red flag. But here’s why some people still believe it’s real: ETHPad has a history of delayed announcements. Their 2024 staking upgrade was announced three months after it went live. They also have a track record of rewarding users who stayed active - over 2,300 users received small airdrops in 2025 for participating in governance votes.

How to Check If You Qualify

You don’t need to sign up for anything yet. But if you want to prepare, here’s how to find out if you’re eligible:

1. Open your Ethereum wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Ledger).
2. Check your transaction history for any ETH or ETHPAD token transfers to the ETHPad staking contract: 0x7f8b...c2a1 (this address has been used since 2023).
3. Use Etherscan to filter for transfers to that address between January 2024 and December 2025.
4. If you see a deposit of 1 ETH or more, or 5,000 ETHPAD or more, you likely qualify.
5. Keep the private key or seed phrase secure - no one from ETHPad will ever ask for it.

There’s no official claim portal yet. If you see a website asking for your seed phrase or a “claim link” before March 2026, it’s a scam. Real airdrops don’t ask for your keys.

What to Expect After Claiming

If you qualify, you’ll receive ETHPAD tokens in your wallet. The distribution is expected to be 1:100 - meaning for every 1 ETH staked, you get 100 ETHPAD tokens. That’s about 0.3% of the total supply.

These tokens will be locked for 90 days after claim. After that, you can trade them, stake them again, or use them to vote on future projects. The team says the token will be listed on Uniswap and SushiSwap within 30 days of the airdrop ending.

Don’t expect instant riches. The current market price of ETHPAD is around $0.30. A 10,000 token airdrop would be worth $3,000 - not bad, but not life-changing either. This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a reward for loyalty.

Risks and Red Flags

Here’s what you need to watch out for:

• No official site: ETHPad’s website is down. Check their Twitter (@ETHPadOfficial) - it’s been inactive since October 2025.
• Telegram groups: There are over 20 unofficial ETHPad airdrop groups. Only trust the one with 1,200+ verified members and admin posts from “ETHPad Team” with a blue checkmark.
• Phishing links: Fake claim sites often use domains like ethpad-airdrop[.]xyz or ethpad[.]io (note the missing “pad”). Always type the URL yourself.
• Gas fee scams: Some fake portals ask you to pay gas to “unlock” your airdrop. Real airdrops don’t charge fees.

As of February 2026, the Ethereum blockchain shows no contract deployment for a GRAND airdrop. That means the distribution mechanism doesn’t exist yet. It’s possible ETHPad is still building it. Or they’ve abandoned the project.

Should You Participate?

If you staked ETH or ETHPAD between 2024 and 2025 - yes, keep an eye out. You’ve already done the work. Just wait for the official announcement. Don’t rush. Don’t click links. Don’t share your keys.

If you didn’t stake anything? Then don’t waste time chasing this. There’s no way to qualify retroactively. Any service promising to “boost your eligibility” is a scam.

ETHPAD’s GRAND airdrop might be real. Or it might be a ghost project. Either way, the safest move is to stick to facts: check your wallet, verify the contract address, and wait for an official post. No hype, no pressure, no panic.

What’s Next?

Watch for updates from ETHPad’s verified Twitter account. If they post a blog or a contract address on February 28, 2026 - that’s your green light. If nothing happens by March 15, assume the airdrop is canceled.

Meanwhile, keep staking. Even if this airdrop vanishes, ETHPad’s platform still runs. And the next one might be even bigger.