How to Claim ARB Airdrop: Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

The Arbitrum (ARB) airdrop marked a pivotal moment for Ethereum scaling, distributing governance tokens to early adopters of the Layer 2 network. If you’re eligible but unsure how to claim your tokens, this comprehensive 900-word guide walks you through every step with visual references, troubleshooting tips, and key post-claim actions.

## What Was the ARB Airdrop?
The ARB airdrop occurred on March 23, 2023, distributing 11.5% of Arbitrum’s total token supply to users who interacted with Arbitrum One or Nova chains before a snapshot date. Designed to decentralize governance, ARB tokens grant voting rights on protocol upgrades and treasury management within the Arbitrum DAO.

## Eligibility Requirements for ARB Airdrop
You qualify if you performed any of these actions before February 6, 2023 (snapshot block):
* Bridged assets to Arbitrum via official bridges
* Completed ≥5 transactions across ≥4 distinct months
* Deployed smart contracts on Arbitrum One
* Interacted with high-activity dApps like GMX, Uniswap, or SushiSwap
* Active users of Arbitrum Nova (Reddit community points)

## Step-by-Step Guide to Claim Your ARB Tokens
Follow these instructions carefully to secure your tokens:

1. **Visit Official Portal**: Go to [Arbitrum Foundation Claim Site](https://arbitrum.foundation/) – ONLY use this verified link to avoid scams.
2. **Connect Wallet**: Click “Connect Wallet” and select your preferred Web3 wallet (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, etc.). Ensure it holds the eligible address.
3. **Check Eligibility**: The portal automatically displays your allocated ARB amount if qualified. Cross-check with your transaction history.
4. **Delegate Voting Power (Optional)**: Assign voting rights to yourself or another address before claiming.
5. **Claim Tokens**: Click “Claim” and approve the gas-free transaction in your wallet. No ETH is needed for fees.
6. **Confirmation**: Wait for on-chain confirmation (usually <1 minute). ARB tokens will appear in your wallet.

## Troubleshooting Common Claim Issues
Resolve frequent problems with these fixes:

* **"Address Not Eligible" Error**: Verify activity timing using blockchain explorers like Arbiscan. Cross-reference with official eligibility criteria.
* **Transaction Stuck**: Switch RPC endpoints or increase gas (though claims are gas-free, wallet actions may require minimal ETH).
* **Wallet Connection Failures**: Clear cache, update wallet extensions, or try a different browser.
* **Incorrect Token Display**: Add ARB contract address manually: `0x912CE59144191C1204E64559FE8253a0e49E6548`

## Post-Claim Essential Actions
After securing your ARB:

* **Secure Storage**: Transfer tokens to a hardware wallet for long-term holding
* **Delegate Governance Power**: Participate in DAO votes via [Arbitrum Governance Portal](https://gov.arbitrum.foundation/)
* **Monitor Markets**: Track ARB prices on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap
* **Tax Compliance**: Report airdrop as income based on local regulations

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

### Who qualified for the ARB airdrop?
Eligibility targeted early Arbitrum users, developers, and DAO contributors based on pre-February 2023 on-chain activity. DAOs and protocols received separate allocations.

### Can I still claim ARB if I missed the deadline?
The claim window closed on September 24, 2023. Unclaimed tokens were sent to Arbitrum DAO treasury, making late claims impossible.

### Is claiming the ARB airdrop safe?
Yes, when using the official portal. Never share private keys or pay "claim fees" – the process is gas-free. Beware of phishing sites mimicking the portal.

### How much was each ARB airdrop worth?
Initial allocations ranged from 625 to 10,000 ARB per address. At launch, 1 ARB ≈ $1.20, making maximum allocations worth ~$12,000.

### Where can I use ARB tokens?
Holders govern Arbitrum DAO decisions, stake in protocols like Camelot DEX, trade on Binance/Kraken, or provide liquidity in DeFi pools.

### Do I pay gas fees to claim ARB?
No. The Arbitrum Foundation covered all claim transaction costs. If a site requests ETH for "gas," it’s a scam.

Always verify links through Arbitrum’s official social channels before interacting. For unresolved issues, contact support@arbitrum.foundation with your wallet address and transaction proofs.