Token distribution method using a Merkle tree to efficiently verify eligibility. A Merkle root representing all eligible addresses and amounts is stored on-chain. Recipients submit a Merkle proof to claim tokens, and the program verifies the proof against the root. This allows distributing to millions of addresses with minimal on-chain storage, paying only per actual claim.
Start with the shortest useful explanation before going deeper.
Token distribution method using a Merkle tree to efficiently verify eligibility. A Merkle root representing all eligible addresses and amounts is stored on-chain. Recipients submit a Merkle proof to claim tokens, and the program verifies the proof against the root. This allows distributing to millions of addresses with minimal on-chain storage, paying only per actual claim.
Use the quick analogy first so the term is easier to reason about when you meet it in code, docs, or prompts.
Think of it as a building block that connects one definition to the larger Solana system around it.
Place the term inside its Solana layer so the definition is easier to reason about.
SPL assets, token standards, metadata, and NFT primitives.
Turn the term from vocabulary into something operational for product and engineering work.
This term unlocks adjacent concepts quickly, so it works best when you treat it as a junction instead of an isolated definition.
Use this compact block when you want to give an agent or assistant grounded context without dumping the entire page.
Merkle Airdrop (merkle-airdrop) Category: Token Ecosystem Definition: Token distribution method using a Merkle tree to efficiently verify eligibility. A Merkle root representing all eligible addresses and amounts is stored on-chain. Recipients submit a Merkle proof to claim tokens, and the program verifies the proof against the root. This allows distributing to millions of addresses with minimal on-chain storage, paying only per actual claim. Related: Merkle Tree, Airdrop, SPL Token Program
Use glossary context, relationships, mental models, and builder paths to get structured answers instead of generic chat output.
Optional: paste Anchor, Solana, or Rust code so the Copilot can map primitives back to glossary terms.
The Copilot will answer using the current term, related concepts, mental models, and the surrounding glossary graph.
These branches show which concepts this term touches directly and what sits one layer beyond them.
A binary tree where each leaf node is a hash of data and each internal node is the hash of its two children. The root hash (Merkle root) uniquely represents all underlying data. Merkle trees enable efficient proof of inclusion—proving a specific element exists requires only O(log n) hashes. Used in blockchains for transaction verification and state storage.
A distribution of tokens to wallet addresses, typically as a reward for early usage, community participation, or ecosystem contribution. Notable Solana airdrops include JUP (Jupiter, Jan 2024), BONK, and W (Wormhole). Airdrop eligibility often involves on-chain activity criteria (transaction count, protocol interaction, holding duration). Sybil resistance is a key challenge.
The original Solana Program Library token program (TokenkegQfeZyiNwAJbNbGKPFXCWuBvf9Ss623VQ5DA) that implements fungible and non-fungible token operations. It manages mints (token definitions) and token accounts (balances). Core instructions include InitializeMint, MintTo, Transfer, Burn, Approve (delegation), and Revoke. All SPL tokens on mainnet before Token-2022 use this program.
These are the next concepts worth opening if you want this term to make more sense inside a real Solana workflow.
These entries are easy to mix up when you are reading quickly, prompting an LLM, or onboarding into a new layer of Solana.
The pubkey authorized to mint new tokens via the MintTo instruction. Set at mint creation and can be changed or revoked (set to None) by the current authority. Revoking mint authority makes the supply fixed—critical for trust in fungible tokens. For NFTs, mint authority is typically revoked after minting the single token.
Glossary entries become useful when they are connected. These links are the shortest path to adjacent ideas.
A binary tree where each leaf node is a hash of data and each internal node is the hash of its two children. The root hash (Merkle root) uniquely represents all underlying data. Merkle trees enable efficient proof of inclusion—proving a specific element exists requires only O(log n) hashes. Used in blockchains for transaction verification and state storage.
A distribution of tokens to wallet addresses, typically as a reward for early usage, community participation, or ecosystem contribution. Notable Solana airdrops include JUP (Jupiter, Jan 2024), BONK, and W (Wormhole). Airdrop eligibility often involves on-chain activity criteria (transaction count, protocol interaction, holding duration). Sybil resistance is a key challenge.
The original Solana Program Library token program (TokenkegQfeZyiNwAJbNbGKPFXCWuBvf9Ss623VQ5DA) that implements fungible and non-fungible token operations. It manages mints (token definitions) and token accounts (balances). Core instructions include InitializeMint, MintTo, Transfer, Burn, Approve (delegation), and Revoke. All SPL tokens on mainnet before Token-2022 use this program.
These entries live beside the current term and help the page feel like part of a larger knowledge graph instead of a dead end.
The original Solana Program Library token program (TokenkegQfeZyiNwAJbNbGKPFXCWuBvf9Ss623VQ5DA) that implements fungible and non-fungible token operations. It manages mints (token definitions) and token accounts (balances). Core instructions include InitializeMint, MintTo, Transfer, Burn, Approve (delegation), and Revoke. All SPL tokens on mainnet before Token-2022 use this program.
Solana Program Library—a collection of on-chain programs and client libraries maintained by Solana Labs. Key SPL programs include Token, Token-2022, Associated Token Account, Memo, Name Service, Stake Pool, and Account Compression. SPL programs are deployed to well-known addresses and serve as the standard building blocks for Solana applications.
The next-generation token program (TokenzQdBNbLqP5VEhdkAS6EPFLC1PHnBqCXEpPxuEb) that extends SPL Token with configurable extensions. Extensions include transfer fees, confidential transfers, transfer hooks, permanent delegate, non-transferable tokens, interest-bearing tokens, metadata, and more. Token-2022 is backwards-compatible with SPL Token for basic operations.
An on-chain account defining a token type. A mint specifies: supply (total minted), decimals (0 for NFTs, 6 for USDC, 9 for most tokens), mint authority (who can mint), and optional freeze authority. Each unique token (USDC, JitoSOL, etc.) has exactly one mint account. Mint address serves as the token's unique identifier.