# Principles

## Zeta's Airdrop Principles

The $ZEX airdrop is designed to reward **genuine users** of the protocol, with **additional incentives** for those who demonstrate a long-term commitment to the protocol.

Z-Score has been the foundation for measuring trading activity and allocating base incentives. \
\
Further adjustments such as OG and Season 1 Boosts, Min & Max Criteria & Platform activity have been implemented to reward authentic usage patterns and help ensure that sybils and professional farmers are not disproportionately rewarded.

### Airdrop Bonuses

Two additional mechanisms have been designed to reward users who are aligned with the Zeta Protocol for the long term:

#### The 7-Day Bonus

The[ 7-Day Bonus](/rewards-programs/usdzex/usdzex-airdrop/zex-allocations.md#id-7-day-bonus) unlocks a portion of the user's allocation linearly over seven days, rewarding patience and long-term behaviour. 

#### The Staking Airdrop

The [Staking Airdrop](/rewards-programs/usdzex/usdzex-airdrop/zex-guide/staking-airdrop.md) is designed to reward $ZEX stakers for their commitment to protocol governance.

### Trading Rewards

The snapshot for the initial airdrop of $ZEX was taken on 7th June at 00:00 UTC. 

All Z-Score earned since then has contributed to the first epoch of [our Trading Rewards program](https://docs.zeta.markets/rewards-programs/trading-rewards-program), with 8M $ZEX in rewards up for grabs.

For full details, please see [Trading Rewards](https://docs.zeta.markets/rewards-programs/trading-rewards-program)<br>


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