NEKO Airdrop by Neko Network: What Really Happened and Who Got Paid

There’s no such thing as a "Neko Network" airdrop - at least not one that’s real, active, or verified. If you’re searching for details about a NEKO airdrop tied to "Neko Network," you’ve been led down a rabbit hole. The truth is, multiple unrelated projects use the name "NEKO," and none of them are officially connected to a single entity called Neko Network. This isn’t a glitch. It’s a mess - and if you’re not careful, you could lose money chasing the wrong token.

There’s No "Neko Network" - Just Confusion

You won’t find a website, whitepaper, or official social media account for something called "Neko Network" that’s behind a NEKO token. The name sounds legit. It’s catchy. It’s the kind of thing scammers copy to trick people into thinking they’ve found the next big thing. But digging deeper, you’ll see that every NEKO token you hear about belongs to a completely different project, on different blockchains, with different teams, and different rules.

The Real NEKO Airdrops - And Which One Actually Happened

The only NEKO airdrop that actually happened with clear, public details was run by NeonNeko on Gate.io. It ended on July 22, 2025. No new claims are being accepted. If someone’s telling you they’re running a "Neko Network NEKO airdrop" right now, they’re lying.

Here’s what actually went down:

• 500,000 NEKO tokens were distributed to eligible users who held qualifying assets during snapshot periods on Gate.io.
• There was no vesting. You got 100% of your tokens immediately after the airdrop ended.
• The total supply of NeonNeko NEKO is 2 billion tokens. That means the airdrop made up just 0.025% of the entire supply.
• Trading started on Gate.io the same day the airdrop ended, with a fully diluted valuation of around $95,250.

This wasn’t a massive giveaway. It was a small, targeted campaign. Most people who didn’t already hold tokens on Gate.io before the snapshot missed out - and there’s no way to get in now.

The NEAR Protocol NEKO Token - A Different Beast

Meanwhile, another NEKO token lives on the NEAR Protocol. It’s not connected to NeonNeko or Gate.io. It’s a separate project that exploded in popularity for a few days in early 2025.

• It hit over 22,000 unique holders within days of launch.
• It traded mostly on Rhea Finance, with NEKO/USDC.E as its main pair.
• Its all-time high was over $0.0005. Today? It’s down 98.6% from that peak.
• Trading volume dropped 35% in a single day - a sign people are walking away.
• Maximum supply: 10 billion tokens.

This token had a short, loud burst of hype. But without real utility, a clear roadmap, or strong backing, the price collapsed. If you bought in at the top, you’re underwater. If you’re hearing about "NEKO on NEAR" as a new opportunity, you’re being sold yesterday’s news.

Nekodex Isn’t Even NEKO - But People Mix It Up

Here’s where things get weirder. There’s a DeFi platform called Nekodex, built by the team behind Perpetual Protocol. It’s on Optimism, not NEAR or Gate.io. And it doesn’t give out NEKO tokens - it gives out Nekocoin.

But guess what? People searching for "NEKO airdrop" keep stumbling onto Nekodex’s campaign because the names are so similar. Nekodex’s airdrop is still active as of late 2025, but here’s what you need to do to qualify:

• Sign up with invite code: "airdrops-io"
• Deposit over 100 USDC into their earn vaults
• Trade or stake on the platform

It’s not a free giveaway. You have to put money in first. And the rewards? APRs between 142% and 148%. Those numbers sound insane - and they are. High yields like that usually mean high risk. If the platform fails, your deposit could vanish.

Why This Confusion Is Dangerous

You’re not just dealing with bad information. You’re dealing with predatory behavior. Here’s how scammers exploit this:

• They create fake websites that look like Gate.io or NEAR’s official pages.
• They post in Telegram groups claiming "Neko Network is launching a new airdrop!" - and ask you to connect your wallet.
• They send DMs on Twitter saying "You’ve been selected for NEKO tokens! Click here to claim."

Connecting your wallet to a fake site can drain your entire balance. No one from Gate.io, NEAR, or Nekodex will ever DM you. No legitimate airdrop asks you to send crypto to claim rewards.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you’re still looking for a NEKO airdrop:

1. Stop searching for "Neko Network." It doesn’t exist.
2. Check the official websites: gate.io for NeonNeko, near.org for the NEAR ecosystem token, and nekodex.io for Nekocoin.
3. Never send crypto to claim a token. Legit airdrops send tokens to your wallet automatically.
4. Use blockchain explorers like nearblocks.io or etherscan.io to verify contract addresses before interacting.
5. If a token’s price is down 98% from its peak, ask yourself: why would I buy this now?

Who Got Paid - And Who Got Left Behind

The only people who benefited from the NeonNeko airdrop were those who held tokens on Gate.io before July 22, 2025. They got a small, immediate payout. No one else did.

The NEAR NEKO holders? Most bought in during the hype, rode the wave, then got crushed when the price crashed. They didn’t lose everything - but they lost a lot.

Nekodex users who deposited early? They’re earning high yields - but they’re also risking their capital on a platform that’s not proven over time.

There’s no magic NEKO airdrop waiting for you. There’s no secret key to unlock free tokens. The only way to get NEKO tokens now is to buy them on an exchange - and even then, you have to know which one.

What’s Next for NEKO Tokens?

Nobody knows. NeonNeko hasn’t released a roadmap. The NEAR NEKO token’s trading volume keeps falling. Nekodex is pushing new features, but its token isn’t NEKO - it’s Nekocoin.

The truth? The "NEKO" name has been overused, diluted, and abused. It’s no longer a signal of quality. It’s a noise.

If you’re looking for real value in crypto, don’t chase names. Look at teams. Look at utility. Look at on-chain activity. Look at whether a project has been around for more than six months.

NEKO tokens? They’re not the future. They’re a cautionary tale.