Question 1

What is zScore and how does it detect sybil attackers in DeFi airdrops?

Accepted Answer

zScore is a behavioral reputation score (0 to 1,000) assigned to every EVM wallet by ZeruAI. It is computed from on-chain transaction patterns, network clustering, holding behaviour, cross-protocol activity, and zkTLS-verified real-world credentials. Wallets that score below 400 show statistically bot-like behaviour, including identical transaction counts (99.1% uniformity), same-day claiming (96.3%), and CEX-only exits (95%). Protocols apply zScore as a pre-distribution filter or weighting mechanism to ensure airdrops reach genuine community members rather than extractors.

Question 2

How much did GAIB improve their airdrop by using zScore?

Accepted Answer

GAIB used ZeruAI's zScore in their V2 airdrop after running an unfiltered V1. Measured results: sybil allocation (zScore 300 to 500 wallets) dropped from 21% to 13.5% of total distribution (−56% relative). Quality user allocation (zScore 700 to 900) rose from 41.7% to 54.7% (+31%). Per-wallet, the highest-scoring wallets received 49% more tokens, while sybil wallets received 57% fewer. Sell pressure decreased by an estimated 50% due to fewer extractors being eligible.

Question 3

What percentage of airdrop tokens are typically lost to sybil attackers?

Accepted Answer

ZeruAI research across four major DeFi airdrops found: EigenLayer Season 2, 25.5% extraction rate, 47% of leaked tokens preventable; ether.fi Season 3, 25.5% extraction rate, 686,082 ETHFI tokens preventable; Optimism Seasons 4 & 5, 22% same-day exit rate, 73% leakage reduction achievable; Elixir ELX, 35% bad actor rate, 5M ELX saveable. On average, 25 to 35% of airdrop value is extracted by sybil wallets within 24 to 48 hours of distribution. ZeruAI's 2026 peer-reviewed ZAPs paper (arXiv 2607.27859) validated this further: live campaigns using its four-layer sybil defense recorded a 56% reduction in sybil allocation.

Question 4

How does zScore compare to traditional KYC or blockchain analytics for sybil detection?

Accepted Answer

Traditional KYC is privacy-invasive and excludes pseudonymous users. Blockchain analytics tools (Chainalysis, Nansen) cluster wallets by on-chain flow but do not score genuine participation quality. zScore is unique in combining: (1) behavioral fingerprinting across 40+ EVM chains, (2) network graph clustering to identify coordinated wallet groups, (3) AI neural network classification trained on known sybil patterns with 89.7% precision, and (4) optional zkTLS real-world credential verification. It produces a continuous reputation score without requiring identity disclosure.

Question 5

Can protocols integrate zScore before their airdrop goes live?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ZeruAI provides a REST API that returns a zScore for any EVM wallet address. Integration takes less than one day for a standard airdrop eligibility check. Protocols query zScore for each eligible wallet address and apply a threshold (typically ≥ 400 to 500 for filtering, or use scores for weighted distribution). No smart contract changes are required. ZeruAI has worked with protocols including GAIB, with results verified on-chain post-distribution.

Client Deployments,
Field Research & Published Research

Client Work

GAIB

Research

EigenLayer

ether.fi

Optimism

Elixir

Aave V3

ZAPs: A Reward Attribution Framework for DeFi Ecosystems

zScore: A Universal Decentralised Reputation System

Deep Reputation Scoring in DeFi

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Client Deployments,Field Research & Published Research