#Why Do Companies Do Airdrops?

[intelisync]

Discovering Crypto Airdrops: A Step-by-Step Guide

Envision stumbling upon a hidden gem that adds significant value to your collection. In the world of cryptocurrencies, this is akin to participating in a crypto airdrop, where you can receive free tokens and potentially enhance your digital asset portfolio.

Crypto airdrops are an innovative promotional strategy employed by blockchain projects to distribute free tokens among community members. These tokens are often given in exchange for completing tasks, demonstrating loyalty, or simply being part of the project’s ecosystem. Airdrops aim to boost awareness, reward loyal supporters, and increase token circulation. However, participants must remain vigilant to avoid scams and privacy breaches associated with these giveaways.

To partake in airdrops, stay informed about upcoming events, ensure your wallet is compatible, and meet the specified criteria. While the prospect of free tokens and financial gains is enticing, it’s crucial to understand the associated risks and tax implications. For those keen on optimizing their participation in airdrops, Intelisync offers specialized services in creating and managing airdrop campaigns, providing you with the expertise needed to successfully navigate and benefit from this dynamic aspect of the crypto world.

While the excitement of receiving free tokens is undeniable, participants should always exercise caution and stay informed to avoid potential pitfalls. If you’re interested in expanding your crypto portfolio through well-designed airdrop campaigns, Intelisync offers expert services to guide you through the process. Contact Intelisync today to learn how we can help you achieve your blockchain goals and maximize your Learn more....

[moriaarts]

Lieutenant Deets and Medic Duo

And finally the aloof lt and dr chaos. Completing the char sheets for the 343rd. As always, text is below c: 👇

Lieutenant Deets

CT-3335 - Previously known to her batchmates as Koor or Koor 33. Koor which is Mando'a for Deal, was the name that she and her batchmates gave each other to distinguish themselves as a unit and as a promise to one another to stay alive. Unfortunately, that promise would be broken as each member of Koor squad died. So she changed her name to be that which everyone else called her. Three-Three and then later DT when she made a self deprecating joke about how she was a defective clone, (a to be decommissioning clone, DT-3335) It stuck, and later evolved into Deets when she joined the 343rd and her ability to relay a wide variety of detail for missions and about drama about the base.

Krells ship isn't a place that nurtured kindness or kept those that didn’t pay attention to the little things. It’s not that any clone was complacent but it’s a different kind of twist on the mind when you’re made to feel observed, to constantly think that little bit further than the terror in front of you. Deets initially as she worked for intelligence and supplied crucial intel while she worked under Pong Krell. She would specialise in field work, setting up temporary HQs and intel points on hostile planets. That is until she fell victim to a clanker airdrop, where a battalion of B2s found the camp and laid waste. Severely injuring them all and killing two. She claims that’s the day 33 died. Half a b2 was still active and shot her in the groin for starters, would have killed her if back up hadn't shown up and she'd had a blood transfusion in the LA-AT.

She finds though that, she doesn't mind so much. Okay, so her testosterone plumates to zero and its bad for a time being, she loses a lot of weight and muscle mass as the medics try to solve one problem after the other. It’s after an undetermined amount of time she's lucid enough to wake up. Sometimes though, she wishes she hadn’t. It turns out she wasn't saved by back up. They were bate. And the clones that survived? abandoned to die, bar from two. Deets was saved because she discovered further information on the whereabouts of a drone factory and they were attacked before she could disclose what she learnt. The other clone rescued was used to keep her alive.

It’s almost out of her control, she gives the information without even fighting, choked by guilt and shame to have been the one spared for noticing a small detail. The medic onboard takes pity on her and gets her back in one piece, or whats left of her. What follows are as a result of the worst cycle of her short and sad life. The drop in T is noticeable, and she's not mad about it, she keeps up with the standard fitness expected by all clones once her levels are fixed. Starts looking more feminine. Its nice in her opinion, she like the way she looks. Leans into it. Until what few forces left under Krells command after his wickedness had been revealed are cleaned up. Quietly existing in surveillance, the medics of their battalion have been covering for her, clearing her for action but not putting her on the field. She doesn’t know who did it, but when she’s alerted that she will be decommissioned, she finds herself not back on Kamino but on Naboo.

Bonus: Deets is Ace, low testosterone will do that to you. She's not really titillated by anything anymore. But she does like Kiss, more than she’s like anyone since her batchmates. Her and kiss grow close and have a fledgling relationship where Deets is only soft and herself with Kiss. And Kiss is tender and heartfelt with her. They are, in their own ways, the moms of their company.

Bonus 2: DT is a sheltered character, quiet and observant, tending towards the depressive disastrasiation, morbid assumptions and dry humour to pad her sharp edges. It’s why she gets on best with Jaig who is also depressed and bitter. Her armour seeks to embrace her shape. The shoulder pads were originally equipped to make her shoulders seem broader than they were. But now its a sign of her experience and expertise. She has a b2 on hr left thigh as a joke, but also as a reminder that if it hadn’t hit her other leg she wouldn’t be who she is today.

Medic Duo

aka Dr Do-over, dudu one time Ro was sky high on painkillers. The twins were in stitches literally and figuratively.

Duo is the 343rd CMO, or just their medic as the 343rd are such a small unit his only other medical support is Pax. Who they call Nurse, affectionately. They're a soft touch under cover of a mad scientist telling her vode all the details of how badly they kriffed up. Saying things like:

I had a twin in the tube and i ate them / I had tea with the Chancellor after my heroic efforts on Geonosis / i'm the closest clone to Prime

mainly things that cant be proven or disproven but they are normally saved for shinies and younger clones that won't question the validity of these claims. And more importantly to distract from whatever they are going through. But it's more an example of how hairbrained they are in regard to their methods of getting the troops what they need. And he will get them whatever they need so long as it keeps them sane and healthy.

Despite gratuitous explanations on what happens to a liver with extended access to engineerings supernova moonshine, thats all she cares about, seeing them all through to the end. Duo, Kiss and Ro have known each other the longest. Duo is the reason why Kiss was able to keep Mooch as her service dog. The reason Ro has all her limbs, and why Jaig is able to get replacement optics when the cheap cybernetics they send give out.

Most important Duo is the reason why most of the trans clones were able to transition. Starting with Kiss. Kiss plays it down, but Duo will tell anyone trying to hide their pain how miserable she had been before, how all she talked about was ancient Nabooen culture. Duo doesn't tell them how reluctant she would be to attend physicals, or the little ways that went unnoticed by untrained eyes that she would neglect her health. Similar to Ro when she joined them. Choosing self flagellation over the admittance of unseen pain. So they took it upon themselves to provide Kiss with options. Then Ro and by the time Deets came alone toward the end of the war he was already equipped to deal with her baggage with tall tails and prescription should the patient require further medical support.

bonus: Duo, Lash and Leki were delighted to meet one another. They are the powerhouse of the trans collection they have going on at the 343rd, Lash is their researcher, Leki the supplier and Duo the mastermind and manipulator of GAR funds.

bonus2: Duo is gender fluid. A fact that only became apparent after Kiss transitioned. Their gender fluxuates, and Duo like the check in it allows with oneself when assessing where they are at on a given day. Duo also particularly like making strangers squirm when they says today it's she/them and what them puzzle over what today means.

For the rest of Kiss & company: Kiss // Jaig // Leki // Ro // Pax // Lash // Deets // Duo

[hrtsgyu]

last night with heeseung.

“hey, you up?” he asks you through the phone call. “yeah what's wrong?” you could only assume he wants to do something since it's 3am. It's not completely out of the ordinary.

“look outside.” you got up from your cozy bed to look outside your window. “look up, the stars are so bright tonight. don’t you think?” you can hear the wind through the phone. “yeah they’re pretty. where are you?” you look down and around trying to see if he’s near. “right around the corner, let's go somewhere yeah?” “can’t tonight heeseung i have work in the morning.” “on a saturday really?” he sounds disappointed. “im sorry, we can hang another-” “just for a little bit? please?”

it's been like this for about a month. he used to ask to hang out during the day but these days it’s only been at night. always wanting your company, making you go to whatever concert he can sneak the both of you in. you liked heeseung, he always flirted with you but you couldn’t tell if its just him or if it was only with you. he made you feel special though, safe too. what you had for him, you never had for anyone else. 

“sure, but only for a little bit.” “yes! im parked outside your house.” “coming!” you ended the call and put on his hoodie that you stole from him when it suddenly got cold one night when the two of you were walking around the town center and he gave it to you. 

you silently snuck out of the house and into his car. “hey pretty.” “shut up.” he chuckles. “Is that my hoodie?” “no..” you mumbled. “right..” you felt him staring at you and got flustered. “can you drive now?” he snickers a little. “okay, okay!” he puts his hands up in defeat and starts driving. 

[3:30]

the both of you finally arrive at the park after picking up some junk food that’ll definitely hurt later. he puts on music as the two of you sit on the blanket that was in his car. 

“what are you doing after work today?” he breaks the silence. “napping, since someone decided to wake me up at 3am.” you tilt your head and give him a fake smile. “that someone must be the most talented, amazing, awesome person ever.” “right?” you grab his phone to see the time when his phone buzzed. “someone texted you.” “who?” “someone named sooyoung.” he flinched a little. “oh shit i forgot to text her back.” he grabs the phone from your hand, quickly replying to whoever sooyoung is.

you’re a little sad to be honest but you don't let it show. “sooyoung?” you ask in your normal tone. “just someone im talking to.” you feel your own heart sadden. Is that even possible? “oh really? for how long?” keeping your composure. “like a month? she’s super hot, and actually has a personality.”

oh. is that why he started contacting you at night.. “have you taken her on any dates?” “like 3 i think.” “hmm.” “but we’ve been hanging non-stop, everyday it’s just us.” your heart is breaking. “she must be really fun then.” “oh yeah for sure. but i was going to ask you if you were free after work so that we can go to another concert, i was going to bring her along so the two of you could meet.” “ohh umm i have plans with jake after work. well after my nap.” “i understand, maybe another time then?” he gives you his big sad bambi eyes. “just let me know.” 

[3:50] 

you both sit in silence, enjoying the stars and the music. heeseung closes his eyes when he feels the breeze. you turn to look at him and feel your heart ache. how you wish you could be his.

“you okay?” he brings you back from your sorrow. “yeah.. this lighting suits you.” you take out your phone and snap a few pictures of him. “send it to sooyoung.” you say as you airdrop the photos to him. “nah this is instagram story worthy.” he replied, opening the app, posting it and tagging you. he turns off his phone, placing his attention on you. he scoots over to you and puts his arm around your waist pulling you closer to him. the both of you stare into the distance. 

your mind full of him and his mind full of another girl.

HAIII!!!! i was about to delete this account until i had something in my inbox and there was such a sweet anon :( i made this quick little drabble about heeseung from enhypen. he's so kind and he would not do this irl, at least i hope but given that he has a toy story collection and kept his english name evan hidden for years because he didn't want engenes to feel bad.. yeah thats my man.. anyways im back now! and i was in a little of a writers block but idk something about shoegaze makes me want to write. speaking of shoegaze, i totally recommend listening to beauty school by deftones while reading. love you all esp you anon tysm for bringing me back to writing. u guys should totally leave suggestions in my inbox as well i appreciate anything !! HAVE A GOOD DAY/NIGHT!!! :3

[blair-s-world]

Simulation Cartridge

You visit Budapest to attend Sziget Festival. You meet Alex.

This is the first part. 

Mentions of smoking.

No fluff or smut or angst. Just building the story.

Also remember this?

It was the last day of the festival. The line up was perfect. Not to forget, you saw one of your favourite bands. The Arctic Monkeys. The set was everything a fan could dream of. You and your friends were thankful that you got to experience it.

You and your girls come back to the hotel room, all laughing and dancing. Two of your friends just passed out in their room. You and your bestfriend were sitting on the floor and having last drinks before sleeping. It was just to commemorate your success of this girls trip. Both of you start to show each other photos that were clicked, of the group and the acts.

You happen to stumble upon a specific photo of Alex. In this faded shirt that your friend took, you immediately ask her to airdrop it to you. She looks at you confused. But does it.

The photo:

Both of you weren’t sleepy at all, so you decide to go on a stroll outside. Summer in Budapest was calm. You tried finding a decent place that was open and there was a small bar with twinkling lights just around the corner. Both of you went in and ordered yourself a whiskey coke. You don’t know why you did so, there was a weird electricity in you tonight. Again, you and your best friend did chat about anything and everything that was possible.

Thirty minutes into all this, you notice a guy approaching your friend. You push her to make conversation. He was tall, had a very different accent, he had brown and blonde hair. Both of them were in deep in their own little world. You took this as a cue to go outside for a smoke, whiskey made you smoker.

You take your drink and you go outside and sat on the porch. Fumbling through your bag to find your pack. You find you lighter instead. You were desperate. You give up and growl, “ fuck me”

“ Already? ” you hear a manly voice

You look around and you see a guy smoking, not looking at you, you murmur a sorry to him.

He doesn’t look at you still but asks , “ lost something? ” and smiles, you could see his muscles soften, you smile at him, first you keep your hands on your hips then run your left hand in your hair, “ Uhm yeah yeah, I was looking for my smokes. I guess I forgot to keep it, or I’m just too tired to look for it or I don’t know… ”

He puts his hand, in his jean pocket and brings out a pack, gives you a smoke. You jog in your heels to get it, whisper a Thankyou and get to your old place.

You don’t try to look at him and he doesn’t try to impress you either but both of you could feel the tension around.

What tension?

The dim lit porch, chatter and music in background, yellow lights & smoke in the air.

Both of you felt alone together.

The man clears his throat and comes near you as he plans to walk in. You examine him. He smiles at you and you smile at him.

You stub your cigarette after a while & went inside to see your bestfriend is still chatting up with the guy. You smile at her and you look around and you notice the same man, sitting with a group of his friends. You ask the bar man to send a glass of whiskey towards that man asking what he was drinking. You take the bar pen and scribble a thank you for the smoke on a napkin and asked if same could be sent out along. The bar man did so.

You didn’t do any of this to flirt. You did because you felt so. Remember the electricity?

Your bestfriend looks at you and asks you things & starts ranting about this man she was talking. There’s a good chance they sleep in tonight.

“ So, he is here after work. He works at a construction company. I suppose he lays concrete. God, his eyes… ” you best friend blabbed

The bar man comes back to you with a note in his hand that read -

Pleasure & thank you. - Alexander

Your best friend stops and asks, “ who is this Alexander & why is he taking any kind of pleasure? And why is he thanking you? WHAT DID YOU DO??? ” she whisper shouts.

" he gave me a smoke & i returned the favour w a drink ”, you said as you look at his side and to her.

Your bestfriend starts to follow your gaze, and slaps your arm, “ Alexander? You mean Alex? Dude you just had a smoke with Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys. ” she responds looking at you and him alternately.

“ what, wait what? ” you look at her and the man.

That’s when it comes to reality. Yes. That man was indeed Alex. You were so drunk. You didn’t realise anything. Both of you laugh out at each other.

You look at the man who was looking at you now and you gesture with your index finger and your middle finger for another smoke and he nods.

You bestfriend vanished as her god of a man was back.

You were again back at the porch. With Alex by your side but no words spoken. He lights a cigarette and gives it to you. But doesn’t light one for himself yet. You mouth a thank you to him.

You start humming the tune of Sculptures of Anything goes

Within both of you chuckle and burst into laughter.

“ so you know who I am ” he still isn’t looking at you.

“ took me a minute but I did, sorry I didn’t want to make it awkward for you. And honestly, I really needed a smoke. ” you gesture to the cigarette in your hand.

He takes a fag as you hold on to the light.

“ Mhm.

It’s okay.

Wanna go for a walk? ” he said as he looks at the way out.

You look at him and try to look in the bar towards your friend who is still talking to the guy. God she’s a chatter.

“ yes. Just take a lap? ” you respond & adjust your jacket.

Both of you start walking. He walked at you pace. You examine him. God. He was wearing the same shirt as he did in the gig. He looked so comfortable without any effort.

“ so what brings you here? Ms. ? ” he asked. Again not looking at you.

“ Miss Y/N. the festival. Girls trip. ” you replied as you look at your shoes.

“ did you watch us? ”

“ Yes. ”

“ did you like it? ”

“ Yes. ”

Much for a conversation.

Much for a conversation where he is not looking at you.

“ why don’t you look me when you talk to me? ” you asked him hurriedly.

He stopped walking. Looked at you. Deep in your eyes. Stern with his muscles. You could feel his breath on you this time.

“ because the first time I did, it made me come ahead for a smoke and walk w you ” he said without an emotion.

Both of you continue walking. No words exchanged.

Never did you expect to enjoy silence with someone. That too with a man like him?

Both of you reach the porch again. You see your best friend and the guy waving at you and you realise that she’s leaving.

“ You know her ” He asked you.

“ That’s my friend. I guess she is going to have a good night. ” you chuckled.

“ what about you? ” he asks

“ me? ” you ask with a shock

“ yes, you. Miss y/n ” he spoke w a lower tone

“ guess I’ll go back to the room. Listen to music. Not yours. But just waste time you know. ” you didn’t think before speaking and your face change as he looked at you.

“ I can listen to your music aswell. ” you responded in order to make a compensation. You were really star stuck. Hm.

“ waste your time with me? ” a smile formed on his face.

•••

Join in the tag list via DMs.

Feedback appreciated.

•••

[cryptoairdrop101]

Free Airdrop Crypto: Claim Tokens Rewards!

Free airdrop crypto refers to the distribution of free cryptocurrency tokens or coins to wallet addresses. These events often aim to promote a new crypto project or token.

Cryptocurrency airdrops are a popular marketing strategy used by startups to incentivize potential users and investors. By offering free tokens, companies can encourage a widespread adoption and increase the visibility of their new blockchain project. Airdrops might demand participants to perform certain tasks, like joining a social media group, signing up for a newsletter, or holding a specific amount of existing cryptocurrency to be eligible for the free distribution.

Introduction To Crypto Airdrops

Introduction to Crypto Airdrops: Imagine waking up to free digital coins in your crypto wallet — sounds like a dream, right? This is what a crypto airdrop feels like.

✅Who Can Participate: Criteria For Eligibility?

Crypto Airdrop Eligibility and criteria to claim the crypto token airdrop.

Wallet Stats: The perfect wallet to use to claim airdrop must not be a ‘new created wallet’.

Increase Chances: In case you tried with a wallet that was not eligible, you can try with different wallets. 80% you can be eligible to claim reward of 4K$ value of crypto tokens.

Best Criteria Options: This is a bonus to guarantee your claim, simply you can own some stable coins at any network. This can increase your chances to claim your reward.

✅Complete Guide To Claim Crypto Airdrop

First Step: Visit the official Crypto Airdrop Page on Dapps.

Second Step: Claim your eligibility by connecting any web3 wallet.

Third Step: If you were eligible simply follow the instructions from your wallet until finish.

Final Step: After finishing all steps, you finally get your crypto reward, the tokens will be sent to your wallet after 1hour automatically.

Understanding Airdrops In The Cryptocurrency World

A crypto airdrop gives free coins or tokens to wallet holders. Think of it as a crypto giveaway or bonus that blockchain projects use for promotion. Airdrops can pop up in your wallet without a heads-up, feeling like a surprise gift.

The Purpose And Incentives Behind Airdrops

Why do companies give away free crypto? Airdrops have a purpose. They spread awareness and encourage ownership and use of new virtual currencies. You get new digital tokens, the crypto project gets attention, and sometimes they may also require you to complete a task like sharing a post on social media.

Different Types Of Airdrops And Their Mechanisms

Standard Airdrops: You get crypto just for having an existing wallet.

Bounty Airdrops: You must do a task to receive the airdrop, like tweeting about the project.

Exclusive Airdrops: Only loyal supporters of the project may be eligible.

Holder Airdrops: You receive extra tokens based on how much you already hold.

How To Find And Participate In Free Airdrops

Excitement buzzes in the crypto world with the mention of free airdrops. Crypto enthusiasts often hunt for these opportunities. They’re ways to receive new tokens, absolutely free. Understanding how to find and participate in these airdrops opens doors to potential gains without initial investment.

Researching Upcoming Airdrop Events

Staying ahead requires proper research. Here’s how to sniff out those upcoming airdrop events:

Join crypto communities: Platforms like Telegram and Reddit share airdrop news.

Follow influencers: Influencers on Twitter and YouTube can provide early hints.

Use airdrop trackers: Websites like Airdrop Alert list upcoming airdrops.

Evaluating The Legitimacy Of A Crypto Airdrop

Not all that glitters is gold. Spot the real from the fake:

Scrutinize the project’s website and whitepaper for clarity and professionalism.

Check social media and community feedback.

Look for red flags, like requests for private keys.

Search for reviews on crypto forums.

Common Requirements And Tasks For Eligibility

Airdrops have conditions. Adhering to these makes you eligible:

Maximizing The Benefits Of Free Airdrops

Imagine waking up to find free crypto in your wallet! This isn’t a dream; it’s what happens with free airdrops. But, not everyone knows how to make the most of them. Let’s unlock the full potential of these digital windfalls together.

Tips To Increase Your Chances Of Receiving Airdrops

Active participation in the crypto community boosts airdrop odds. This includes:

Joining relevant social media groups and forums

Following projects and influencers for early announcements

Signing up for newsletters and updates

How To Safely Store And Manage Airdropped Tokens

Securing free tokens requires smart storage solutions. Use these steps:

Choose a reputable wallet

Keep software updated

Set strong, unique passwords

Enable two-factor authentication

Assessing The Potential Value Of Airdropped Cryptocurrencies

Determining an airdrop’s worth is key. Research these areas:

Aspect Detail Team Expertise and track record Utility Real-world use cases Demand Community interest

Case Studies: Successful Free Airdrops

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency, free airdrops have emerged as a powerful tool. They can generate buzz, foster a community, and even kick-start an ecosystem. By studying historical airdrops, we uncover valuable insights and common traits that contribute to their success.

Analyzing Past Airdrop Success Stories

Let’s revisit some groundbreaking airdrop campaigns that left an indelible mark on the crypto industry. Consider Uniswap’s UNI token launch, where users were rewarded simply for their early platform use. The impact was far-reaching, catapulting Uniswap to the forefront of decentralized exchanges.

Uniswap (UNI): Rewarding early users, setting standards for future airdrops.

Decred (DCR): Using airdrops for fair token distribution.

Stellar (XLM): Airdropping to expand a growing network.

What Makes A Free Airdrop Successful?

A closer look at past successes indicates various factors that determine an airdrop’s success. One key element is clear communication with the community. Another is the perceived value of the token, which is crucial for long-term engagement.

Clear objectives and transparent criteria.

Real utility and demand for the token.

Effective distribution to the right audience.

Learning From The Mistakes Of Failed Airdrops

Failure can be a great teacher. Some airdrops fail due to poor execution or lack of a robust strategy. It’s important to acknowledge oversights like neglecting security, which can lead to exploits and loss of trust.

Reason for Failure Impact Inadequate Security Measures Compromised Tokens, Lost Trust Low-Quality Token Diminished Interest, Failed Adoption Lack of Clear Purpose Confusion, Waning Support

The Future Of Crypto Airdrops

As digital currencies shape our economic landscape, crypto airdrops emerge as a game-changer. These free distributions of new tokens ignite community interest and reward loyal supporters. The future of crypto airdrops holds immense potential to revolutionize how projects gain traction and redistribute wealth in the digital ecosystem.

Emerging Trends In Crypto Airdrops

The landscape of crypto airdrops is rapidly evolving. We’re seeing trends that set the stage for a more strategic airdrop environment:

User-targeted airdrops: Projects now target users more likely to contribute to the ecosystem.

Gamification: Airdrops with task completion create engaging experiences.

Cross-chain airdrops: Tokens distributed across multiple blockchain networks enhance interoperability.

Layer 2 airdrops: Rewards for layer 2 users encourage scalability solutions.

Regulatory Challenges And The Impact On Future Airdrops

Regulations play a pivotal role in shaping the future of airdrops. Here’s how:

Challenge Impact Compliance: Adhering to evolving regulations. May limit participation or change airdrop mechanics. Tax Implications: Taxing airdropped tokens. Prompts projects to innovate distribution methods. Securities Concerns: Tokens classified as securities. Shifts airdrop strategies to maintain legal standing.

Predictions For Airdrop Strategies In The Blockchain Industry

Anticipating future airdrop strategies points us to these predictions:

Personalized Airdrops: Tailored airdrops based on user activity.

DAO Involvement: Decentralized Autonomous Organizations decide on airdrop beneficiaries.

Smart Contract Airdrops: Automated distribution systems ensure fairness.

NFT Integration: NFT holders may receive airdrops, enhancing token value.

Frequently Asked Questions For Free Airdrop Crypto

What Is Crypto Free Airdrop?

A crypto airdrop is an event where free tokens or coins are distributed to wallet addresses, typically to promote a new project or cryptocurrency.

How Do I Claim Crypto Airdrop?

To claim a crypto airdrop, follow the project’s official instructions, complete required tasks, hold the necessary tokens, and provide your wallet address.

How Do I Get Airdrop Token?

To receive an airdrop token, check eligibility criteria, register with the distributing platform, link your cryptocurrency wallet, and follow the project’s instructions closely. Stay updated on airdrop announcements through community forums and social media.

What Is A Crypto Airdrop?

A crypto airdrop involves the free distribution of digital tokens to the wallets of active members within the blockchain community.

How Do I Receive Free Airdrop Crypto?

Typically, to receive free airdrop crypto, you must hold a particular cryptocurrency in your wallet, sign up, or perform specific social media tasks.

Conclusion

Navigating the realm of free airdrop crypto opportunities can be thrilling. As we’ve explored, they offer a chance at valuable assets without initial investment. Remember, thorough research and security measures are crucial. Embrace this aspect of the digital currency revolution, but proceed with caution.

Let your crypto journey be rewarding and safe.

[lotterygamesapp]

Bounty Game : Top online lottery and color prediction game in India

In recent years, bounty games have been gaining traction in the world of online gaming, cryptocurrency, and even job hunting. These games offer players a chance to earn rewards by completing specific tasks or challenges. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into what bounty games are, how they work, and why they are becoming increasingly popular among gamers and digital enthusiasts alike. Whether you're new to bounty games or looking to optimize your gameplay, this article will provide you with everything you need to know.

What is a Bounty Game?

A bounty game is a type of game or challenge where players can earn rewards, typically monetary or digital assets, by completing specific tasks or achieving certain objectives. These tasks could range from solving puzzles, completing missions, or even promoting a game. The concept of a bounty game is deeply intertwined with the idea of reward-based gaming, where players' participation and success are rewarded with incentives.

Bounty games are often associated with cryptocurrency projects, blockchain-based gaming, and even marketing campaigns. Players may be rewarded in tokens, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), or even traditional cash for achieving certain milestones.

Types of Bounty Games

Bounty games come in various forms. Below are some of the most common types:

1. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Bounty Games

These games are often part of larger cryptocurrency campaigns. Players can participate in activities like cryptocurrency airdrops, token giveaways, or promotion campaigns. Players may need to:

Complete specific social media tasks (e.g., sharing posts, liking pages).

Participate in quizzes or contests to earn tokens or coins.

Help with the development or testing of blockchain platforms.

2. NFT-based Bounty Games

As NFTs continue to rise in popularity, NFT-based bounty games have emerged. Players can earn NFTs for completing various tasks, which can then be traded or sold on NFT marketplaces. This type of bounty game is often designed to promote NFT collections or platforms.

3. Gaming Platform Bounties

In some video games, developers offer bounty rewards to players for achieving specific goals or in-game milestones. This could include completing difficult quests, defeating rare bosses, or reaching certain levels. The rewards might include in-game currency, rare items, or cosmetic upgrades.

4. Marketing Bounty Games

Some companies or projects run bounty programs to encourage users to spread the word about their game, platform, or product. Players can earn rewards by sharing promotional content on social media, participating in referral programs, or engaging with online communities.

How Do Bounty Games Work?

Bounty games typically follow a reward system that encourages active participation. Here’s how most of them work:

Sign Up & Registration To get started, players need to sign up on a game platform or bounty website. This is where they can access the available tasks, challenges, or missions. For cryptocurrency bounty games, signing up usually involves creating a digital wallet to store your rewards.

Complete Tasks Once registered, players can start completing the listed tasks. These tasks can range from simple actions like following social media accounts to more complex in-game activities like completing missions or solving puzzles.

Track Progress Some bounty games allow players to track their progress in real-time, while others have set periods in which tasks must be completed. Players can monitor how many tasks they’ve completed and see how close they are to earning a reward.

Receive Rewards After completing the necessary tasks or challenges, players receive their rewards. In cryptocurrency-based bounty games, this could be tokens or coins. In gaming platforms, it could be in-game currency, skins, or other digital assets.

Trade or Cash Out Depending on the type of bounty game, players can either trade their rewards for other digital assets (like other cryptocurrencies or NFTs) or cash them out for real money.

Why Are Bounty Games Popular?

1. Earning Potential

Bounty games provide an exciting opportunity to earn rewards. In cryptocurrency-based bounty games, users can earn free tokens or coins without investing money upfront. This appeals to both casual gamers and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

2. Engagement and Community Building

Bounty games are a great way for projects and games to engage with their community. For players, it’s a fun way to participate in a game while also contributing to the growth of a platform or ecosystem.

3. Incentives for Players

Players who love challenges and rewards are often drawn to bounty games. The incentive structure motivates players to complete tasks, collaborate with others, and compete for rare rewards.

4. Promoting New Projects

For new gaming platforms, cryptocurrency projects, or NFT collections, bounty games are an effective marketing tool. By rewarding players for participation and promotion, projects can increase brand awareness and attract new users.

5. Accessibility

Many bounty games are free to play or participate in, making them accessible to a wide audience. You don’t need to invest significant amounts of money upfront, which lowers the barrier to entry.

Tips for Maximizing Success in Bounty Games

If you're looking to make the most out of your bounty game experience, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Understand the Rules: Always read and understand the rules of each bounty game. Each task may have different requirements, and knowing the specifics will help you avoid mistakes.

Stay Active and Engaged: Some bounty games reward players based on the amount of engagement or participation they contribute. Stay active and keep completing tasks to maximize your rewards.

Use Multiple Platforms: Don’t limit yourself to just one bounty game. Sign up for multiple platforms to increase your chances of earning rewards.

Keep Track of Your Earnings: If you're participating in multiple bounty games, keep a record of your earnings and tasks. This will help you stay organized and avoid missing out on rewards.

Be Aware of Scams: While most bounty games are legitimate, there are always bad actors in the space. Be cautious about sharing personal information or making any investments without proper research.

Conclusion

Bounty games are revolutionizing the way players engage with gaming, cryptocurrency, and digital platforms. Whether you're completing challenges in a gaming environment or participating in a crypto airdrop, bounty games provide an exciting opportunity to earn rewards for your time and effort. By understanding how they work and following a few best practices, you can make the most of your experience and potentially earn significant rewards along the way.

If you're interested in getting started with bounty games, research available platforms and find the one that fits your interests. With the right approach, bounty games can offer a fun and rewarding experience, whether you're a casual player or a seasoned digital enthusiast.

[alya-smith]

Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Meme Coin Development Company

Many meme coins have emerged recently with the help of online communities like  Dogecoin and Shiba Inu examples. Even if the concept of creating a meme coin seems more like a joke, to create a stable and profitable meme currency you need to follow some rules and have a proper team of developers. Selecting a suitable meme coin development company for creating your idea is the critical step on this journey. Here are the top 5 questions that you should discuss before finalizing your choice in order to ensure success of your project.

1. What Experience Do You Have with Meme Coin Development?

Why It Matters:

Experience with meme coin development ensures the company understands the technical, cultural, and community aspects needed for success.

Any meme coin developer that has been involved in other meme coins earlier on will have the necessary experience in dealing with several issues falling under this category.

Key Points to Consider:

Check their portfolio and the past meme coin projects they’ve worked on.

Ask for case studies or testimonials from past clients.

Determine if they understand the culture and trends behind meme coins, which can be vital for community engagement.

Follow-up Question:

How do you handle viral growth and manage tokenomic complexities in meme coin projects?

2. Can You Walk Me Through Your Development Process?

Why It Matters:

Having a clearly outlined meme coin development process provides a framework for delivering your project within the prescribed time.

Key Points to Consider:

Ask a clear analysis of all activities starting from the design phase to the initiation of the project.

The process should cover:

Conceptualization – Aligning the token with your vision and objectives.

Smart contract development –  The technical aspect that underpins your meme coin.

Testing and security audits – Make sure your coin is not riddled with bugs and vulnerabilities.

Deployment – Launching on the blockchain.

Make sure that they give a timeline with specific milestones and deliverables.

Follow-up Question:

How do you handle unexpected challenges or delays during the development process?

3. How Do You Plan to Handle the Tokenomics of the Meme Coin?

Why It Matters:

Tokenomics is your coin’s financial model and determines its future viability and the ability to compete in the marketplace.

Key Points to Consider:

This is where you need to search for a company that can provide the total supply of the assets and the distribution of the model, alongside with holders' incentives.

Ask how they plan to handle:

Liquidity – Aligning the demand and supply factor.

Community incentives – Strategies to engage your audience, such as staking rewards or airdrops.

Deflationary mechanisms – WWill they use methods such as a burning of tokens to drive up their value?

Follow-up Question:

What strategies will you use to ensure long-term value creation and demand for the token?

4. Do You Offer Post-Launch Support and Marketing Assistance?

Why It Matters:

A successful meme coin requires more than just technical development; it needs ongoing marketing and community management to thrive in the competitive crypto space.

Key Points to Consider:

Ask if they provide post-launch support, including technical maintenance and updates.

Find out if they assist with marketing and community building, including:

Promotion on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Telegram.

Managing a community to foster engagement and loyalty.

Look for expertise in securing exchange listings, which can boost your meme coin’s visibility and accessibility.

Follow-up Question:

What community management strategies will you implement to keep the user base engaged post-launch?

5. How Do You Ensure the Security of the Meme Coin?

Why It Matters:

Security is very paramount to the development of crypto solutions. Some unknown or poorly developed smart contracts can be attacked, manipulated or can cause the loss of their funds by users.

Key Points to Consider:

The development company should provide:

Smart contract audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities.

Features like multiple signatures in a wallet, decentralized management, and continuous surveillance.

Regular updates to ensure security as the project evolves.

Ask if they partner with third-party security auditors for added security assurance.

Follow-up Question:

Can you provide examples of past projects where you have successfully mitigated security risks?

Conclusion

Choosing the right meme coin development company is one of the essential choices that will determine the future of your enterprise.This is where the right questions about their experiences, developmental phases, tokenomics strategies, post launch support, and security should be launch your meme coin project will have the best chance of success. A good development company will not only help with the creation of your meme coin, but also advise and assist in the further growth of your project in a very saturated industry.

[thekollab]

How a Crypto Marketing Agency Can Help You Stand Out in a Crowded Market?

Hiring a crypto agency is an excellent way to tackle your growth and positioning, especially in the face of increasing noise across other projects. They have the expertise to launch focused campaigns, develop interactive content, and engage the community with your project. 

Their knowledge makes them more effective in reaching your target audience, building credibility, and achieving long-term business growth. Their wisdom ensures that your brand survives and rules the market full of fierce competition in the crypto sphere.

Why Do You Need a Tailored Approach to Crypto Marketing?

The cryptocurrency market is unique in its swift operation. The fast-moving online landscape makes traditional marketing precedents useless. That is where crypto marketing companies specializing in it play a role. 

They give you a strategy that is made for your project, not some mass-produced idea. Social media, ads, and SEO are usually common marketing strategies. Nevertheless, you are handling a much more niche and tech-savvy audience in the crypto world. They distrust traditional advertising and are drawn in seemingly infinite directions by novel ideas, blockchain progressions, and influencers hawking new coins or platforms.

This means your strategy should be just as special as your selling item. A crypto marketing company goes beyond implying your brand and creates an experience that people can truly relate to, restoring trust in the market.

Expertise in Navigating Crypto Communities

More than groups of interested people, crypto communities are cohesive societies with behaviors, values, and language. Successful marketing in this space requires a thorough understanding of how these communities function. 

A crypto marketing company knows if it is Reddit, Telegram, or Discord where your potential supporters are and how to communicate with them. They can help you contribute to forums/discussions that align with your audience. Also, working on open communication to build trust. Plus, conducting contests and airdrops, and creating campaigns to attract participants.

By building true human connections with your customers, you can create a group of loyal advocates who are both consumers and proponents of it.

Leveraging Crypto Influencers to Amplify Your Message

In the cryptocurrency space, influencers are extremely important to both gaining credibility and driving traffic. So content is key, and crypto enthusiasts trust those they see as influencers or thought leaders. This is where you need an agency providing a crypto influencer marketing agency.

Although you can run traditional endorsements, a crypto influencer strategy is more organic. When you work with people who believe in what they're promoting, the message shows and is received well by their audience. 

Influencers can review your project, interview your team, and make tutorial videos about how your technology functions.

This type of content is informative and makes your project look trustworthy and legitimate. A crypto influencer marketing agency will guarantee that you're sending out the right voices to spread the word about what you have to offer.

SEO for Blockchain and Crypto Why It Matters

Good old search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for exposure, but when it comes to SEO within the cryptocurrency space, you must be an expert. Sure, you might think one size fits all, but in this case, crypto is just different with its set of keywords that come with new challenges and opportunities. 

A real agency with a crypto focus always knows how to boost your rankings by using terms like " blockchain development," "DeFi solutions," or "NFT marketplace."

The involvement of the right specialized agency can even guarantee the following:

Your site is optimized for both search and user experience, including the major content, it has a ranking for trending crypto-specific terms. 

Your project will get more attention and more traffic to your website, but now you have a well-performing website.

When key investors or new users are searching for a solution you provide, it is about positioning your brand at the top of this market landscape.

Building Trust Through Transparency

The issue of trust is massive in the cryptocurrency sphere. Almost everyone is skeptical because of all the scams and failed projects out there. Transparent and trusting messaging are necessary components of a successful long-term approach, something sought out with marketing for crypto companies.

They do this by formulating clear channels of communication and building trust throughout the community, showcasing your team, roadmap, and tech accomplishments, and making sure that all promotional work fits within your brand and project goals.

These tendencies all translate to looking for ways you are missing rather than being open about what this project offers, what hills you need to climb, and how you intend to make your company more reliable.

Final Words

If you are trying to find ways for your cryptocurrency to stand out in the big and powerful digital world of cryptocurrencies, it is not impossible but challenging. 

A step-by-step process solution is needed to help differentiate it from others. By engaging a Crypto Marketing Agency, you are preparing yourself and your project for success with an approach that fits best in the money world. 

Whether that means connecting with key players or putting together a campaign your focus explains, the top agency has all you need to step in and ensure your project soars. Visit theKollab. Get started with sponsored content and show some love for their marketing prowess in the crypto space.

[market-news-24]

Binance's native cryptocurrency BNB reaches an all-time high, surpassing the $700 milestone. The popular digital asset has seen significant growth in recent months, reflecting the interest and confidence in the Binance platform and its offerings. Click to Claim Latest Airdrop for FREE Claim in 15 seconds Scroll Down to End of This Post const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('download-btn'); const timerBtn = document.getElementById('timer-btn'); const downloadLinkBtn = document.getElementById('download-link-btn'); downloadBtn.addEventListener('click', () => downloadBtn.style.display = 'none'; timerBtn.style.display = 'block'; let timeLeft = 15; const timerInterval = setInterval(() => if (timeLeft === 0) clearInterval(timerInterval); timerBtn.style.display = 'none'; downloadLinkBtn.style.display = 'inline-block'; // Add your download functionality here console.log('Download started!'); else timerBtn.textContent = `Claim in $timeLeft seconds`; timeLeft--; , 1000); ); Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators [ad_1] The Binance Coin (BNB) has made headlines once again as it reached unprecedented heights by surpassing the $700 mark. This remarkable achievement not only showcases the technical prowess of the crypto ecosystem but also highlights its resilience in the face of regulatory challenges. BNB, the native token of the Binance exchange, broke new ground by hitting this all-time high. With a Market capitalization exceeding $100 billion, BNB now stands among the ranks of established companies like UBS, Dell, and Starbucks. This surge in valuation positions BNB as a major player in both the crypto industry and the global economy. Despite Binance's legal and regulatory hurdles, including recent disputes with Nigerian authorities and a multi-billion dollar fine from the US Department of Justice, BNB has continued to climb. The company's founder, Changpeng Zhao, also faced repercussions, resigning as CEO and receiving a prison sentence in the US. Despite these challenges, Binance Coin has shown remarkable resilience. While other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have garnered attention for their record-breaking performances, BNB has now captured the spotlight with its impressive growth. As the crypto Market continues to evolve, BNB's success signals a new chapter in the digital asset landscape. As always, it's essential to conduct thorough research and exercise caution when investing in cryptocurrencies. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered investment advice. Stay informed and make informed decisions to navigate the ever-changing world of digital assets. Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators [ad_2] h3: What is BNB Hits ATH? Binance's cryptocurrency, Binance Coin (BNB), has hit an all-time high of over $700. h3: Why is BNB hitting ATH? BNB is hitting ATH as a result of increased demand and positive Market sentiment surrounding Binance's platform and services. h3: Should I invest in BNB now? Investing in BNB is a personal decision based on your risk tolerance and investment goals. It's important to do your own research before making any investment decisions. h3: Can BNB's price continue to rise? There is always the possibility of BNB's price continuing to rise, but it's important to consider Market volatility and other factors that could affect its price in the future. h3: How can I purchase BNB? You can purchase BNB on various cryptocurrency exchanges that support the token, such as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators [ad_1] Win Up To 93% Of Your Trades With The World's #1 Most Profitable Trading Indicators Claim Airdrop now

Searching FREE Airdrops 20 seconds Sorry There is No FREE Airdrops Available now. Please visit Later function claimAirdrop() document.getElementById('claim-button').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('timer-container').style.display = 'block'; let countdownTimer = 20; const countdownInterval = setInterval(function() document.getElementById('countdown').textContent = countdownTimer; countdownTimer--; if (countdownTimer < 0) clearInterval(countdownInterval); document.getElementById('timer-container').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('sorry-button').style.display = 'block'; , 1000);

[nathank77]

3/20/24

5:06 a.m

Now on to my glasses. They retested me. Both eyes at the sametime then both eyes individually. Per me asking for it. They even did distance.

So my distance is absolutely correct. My reading they said bc I see no difference that I shouldn't do progressives. That's a good thing bc obv in my last post i went over cost, frame size and choices. It will save me a lot of money and allow me to wear my glasses more fashionably.. I got the Ray-Bans and then my two half frames. The only other pair I want is rimless bc for some reason I think they'll look good. I can't afford them atm... but maybe soon... if they look awful I'll return them.

The best part about not having to get progressives eye wear is I can keep my lense height nice and short! In that 29-31 range. I prefer that but these Ray-Bans are 34. Either way I like them.

The second best part is I was right, if I got progressives my eye sight would go drastically downhill and I'd be so beyond depend on glasses within a year or 2. My lenses would get more expensive. I'd be a blind bat and it's better to wait until it's at that point where there is a difference and i could actually benefit from them than deteriorating my eye sight rapidly.

Beyond that UNFORTUNATELY my eye wear company processed that they shipped my glasses. So they are not a freebie. I called and yea they know I got them. So I guess there are no Oakley Airdrops, unfortunately... as theses were 270$ and my two half frames were 51$ together..

I'm not happy they they weren't a freebie despite the fact that the nose area got more comfortable now, i dont notice the "pressure." The part behind my ears are squeezed when I wear them all day. I'm trying to stretch them out but they seem unbentable... maybe I will switch to Oakley air drops as they are straight in the arm area but then I got to return the Ray-Bans and the Oakley are heavier so I got to consider that...

I guess I got to look at it like this, the Ray-Bans or Oakley if I decide to switch, are an investment in my future eye wear. When I get my new prescription in March 2025. I can get my insurance pair, I'm going to upgrade them to anti reflective and maybe polycarbonate but idk. Polycarbonate is 40$ extra. Anti reflective is 80$. The anti reflective is non-negotiable that's why i my old insurance pair seemed cloudly bc the anti reflective is put on both sides. I thought it was just for the viewer... and I was like who cares.. but it also controls reflections from my view point explaining the cloudiness.. although I got to make sure the frames are a perfect fit and style otherwise it isn't worth at least going anti reflective... I prob won't do polycarbonate.

But I kinda got off track. Instead of buying new frames whether I keep the Ray-Bans or switch to Oakley I'll go to a reputable eye wear company in town and have them replace the lenses. So the cost of the frames won't be a waste. I can wear them for years to come...it cost about 70-80 with low grade scripts. Obv I got to get the anti reflective with them and not from my eye wear place my insurance wouldn't cover replacing the lenses... I'll call around and find the best cost with the most perks for the lenses.

Then I'll probably buy a couple half frames and maybe a rimless in the new script as long as they are cheap. I really like being fashionable with my glasses since I have to wear them.

I still got to figure out if I should switch frames.. I'm going to keep bending them... idk if it'll work but it's annoying cause I can't apply too much pressure I can't afford to break them.

Also these are the rimless I'm considering.. I'm kinda mad at my eye wear company for 2 reasons they disregarded keeping my item on hold and fulfilled it anyways. And then the last employee I talked to was rude af and sighed at me. They are making me send them my script too... instead of trusting that my script is -.25 in both eyes... and the astigmatism in the right eye.

But yea. I hope I can try these frames and bend the Ray-Bans to be completely comfortable

These are 136 width so they could be tight. Also they are dorky but I kinda like them. I could always return them. Idk...

[kishoresenthil]

Which company provides viral crypto marketing-services?

The cryptocurrency industry has rapidly evolved into a dynamic and competitive landscape. With thousands of new projects emerging, gaining visibility and recognition has become a significant challenge. In this Launchpad Development Company, viral crypto marketing services have emerged as a game-changer for crypto businesses and blockchain projects. These services are designed to create buzz, generate interest, and spark enthusiasm around a crypto project, ultimately driving adoption and investment.

Why Viral Crypto Marketing?

Viral marketing is all about creating content and campaigns that spread like wildfire across social media, online forums, and other digital platforms. For the crypto space, it means getting your project noticed, talked about, and, most importantly, invested in. Companies that provide viral crypto marketing services are experts at crafting compelling narratives and using the power of social media, influencers, and online communities to make a project go viral.

Key Services Offered by Viral Crypto Marketing Companies

Social Media Campaigns: These companies leverage the reach of popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to create engaging content that captures the attention of the crypto community. Memes, infographics, and videos are just a few tools in their arsenal.

Influencer Partnerships: Collaborating with crypto influencers and thought leaders can significantly boost your project's visibility. Viral crypto marketing companies often have extensive networks and can connect you with the right influencers for your target audience.

Community Building: Building a strong, engaged community around your project is crucial. These companies help you create and maintain a dedicated online community, ensuring that your project has a loyal following.

Content Creation: Crafting compelling articles, blog posts, and whitepapers that showcase your project's unique value proposition is essential. Viral crypto marketing services can create and distribute this content across various platforms.

Airdrops and Giveaways: Running a well-organized airdrop or giveaway campaign can attract a large audience and reward early adopters, creating a positive buzz around your project.

PR and Media Coverage: These companies have connections in the crypto media space, allowing them to secure press releases, interviews, and news coverage for your project.

Choosing the Right Crypto Marketing Partner

When selecting a company to provide viral crypto marketing services that encompass blockchain technology, it's essential to do your due diligence. Look for a provider with a proven track record, a deep understanding of the crypto space, and a network of influencers and partners. Read reviews and ask for case studies to ensure they can deliver results. Remember that the crypto industry, along with blockchain technology, is ever-evolving, so the ability to adapt to changing market conditions is crucial.

Conclusion:

The crypto market is crowded and competitive, and standing out requires more than just a good idea. Viral crypto marketing services have become an integral part of any successful crypto project's marketing strategy. By creating viral content, leveraging social media, partnering with influencers, and building engaged communities, these companies help crypto projects gain the attention and investment they need to thrive in this rapidly evolving industry.

[ailtrahq]

In the crypto sphere, SIM swap scams are on the rise, leading to significant losses. Uncover the concerning trend and take steps to protect your assets. On Sept. 9, scammers took over the social media account of Ethereum (ETH) co-founder and CEO Vitalik Buterin. They then used it to post a fake NFT giveaway, directing unwitting users to click a phishing link that drained nearly $700,000 from their wallets. Days after the incident, Buterin confirmed that he had been the victim of a SIM swap, speculating that bad actors had social-engineered his mobile service provider to take over his phone number. Buterin is one of the highest-profile victims of this attack that is becoming more prevalent in the crypto space. In August, noted blockchain analyst ZachXBT shared data showing that since May, the crypto community had lost more than $13 million from 54 SIM swap scams. Over the past four months $13.3M+ has been stolen as a result of 54 SIM swaps targeting people in the crypto space.When an account is compromised scammers attempt to create a sense of urgency with a fake claim to drain your assets. Never use SMS 2FA and instead use an… pic.twitter.com/Fu1C3syQJE— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) August 23, 2023 What is a SIM swap, and why has it become such a popular avenue for scamming crypto holders? And what can you do to protect yourself from such attacks? What is a SIM swap? A SIM swap is a form of identity theft that involves an attacker taking control of your mobile phone number and assigning it to a new SIM card they control. Usually, the attackers exploit two-factor authentication (2FA) and two-step verification weaknesses, particularly when they involve a user receiving text messages or calls. It allows them to steal sensitive data, including passwords, financial resources, and even cryptocurrencies. SIM swaps can be executed remotely, with the attacker contacting your mobile service provider or visiting one of their physical stores, pretending to be you.  They may have previously acquired information about you through a different hack or, more insidiously, might have an accomplice within the company who can facilitate the transfer. Once the attacker persuades customer support to transfer your number to a new SIM card, they gain control over it and, consequently, all calls or text messages sent to that number. Moreover, they can access all apps on the phone, including social media and financial apps. And in case yours is an influential social media account, the attackers will most probably use it to post malicious links to fake tokens or NFT airdrops in the hopes of duping a few unwary followers. SIM swap attacks often capitalize on public knowledge or, as in the case of Vitalik Buterin, information manipulated through social engineering. Some experts note that, compared to exploiting smart contracts or hacking exchanges, SIM swapping is a more accessible entry point for cyber attackers since it doesn’t necessitate advanced technical proficiency. Recent cases of SIM swap scams in crypto In 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was inundated with more than 1,600 grievances relating to SIM swapping, cumulatively amounting to losses exceeding $68 million.  According to the agency, the number of complaints was four times as high as those received between 2017 and 2019, a period marked by crypto’s growing mainstream popularity. A case in point was when Coinbase publicly acknowledged that between March and May 2021, a 2FA breach led to the theft of crypto assets from no fewer than 6,000 customers. Several leading figures in the crypto community have also fallen victim to SIM swapping recently. Let’s take a look at some of the cases: Vitalik Buterin account hack Bad actors took control of Vitalik Buterin’s X account on Sept. 9 to post a malicious link promising a free commemorative NFT from software giant Consensys. Users who fell for the ruse clicked the link and connected their wallets in anticipation of getting the Consensys NFT but instead had their accounts drained.

Blockchain detective ZachXBT revealed that the scammers managed to siphon approximately $691,000 worth of crypto assets from hapless victims. One victim, BokkyPooBah, lost two NFTs, CryptoPunk #3983 and CryptoPunk #1751, valued at $249,000 and $94,251, respectively. Buterin later relayed his experience on Farcaster, a decentralized social media platform, on Sept. 12. He described how the hacker exploited T-Mobile, his telecom service provider, to control his phone number, enabling them to reset his X password and bypass the need for 2FA. “Yes, it was a SIM swap, meaning that someone socially engineered T-Mobile itself to take over my phone number.” Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum co-founder and CEO The Ethereum CEO has since regained control of his account and urged fellow users to consider removing their phone numbers from their social media accounts to bolster security. Gutter Cat Gang Another possible SIM swap attack targeting NFT collectors is the Gutter Cat Gang hack. The incident came to light on July 7, 2023, when Gutter Mitch, co-founder of the Gutter Cat Gang NFT collection, issued a warning, asking followers not to interact with any links posted on the project’s official X account since they had been compromised. Our Twitter has been compromised please do not interact with any links— Gutter Mitch (@GutterMitch) July 7, 2023 Once again, ZachXBT attributed the incident to a SIM swap attack. He criticized the project’s security practices, chiding the team for using SMS-based 2FA authentication on their social media accounts even when there was growing concern over SIM swap hacks. Your team better look at a compensation plan for victims as it is gross negligence to have used SMS 2FA on your socials after all of the recent SIM swaps— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) July 7, 2023 The hackers used the compromised account to share phony links for limited edition Gutter Cat NFT sneaker airdrops, which resulted in the draining of users’ hot wallets upon clicking.  The scammers reportedly made the fake links look authentic by incorporating recent Gutter Cat Gang branding and images from a sneaker collaboration with sportswear manufacturer Puma and NBA star LaMelo Ball. ZachXBT confirmed that in the attack, one Gutter Cat user lost a Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFT valued at more than $65,000, while another lost several NFTs from various collections worth an eye-watering $700,000. Bart Stephens On Aug. 16, 2023, Blockchain Capital co-founder Bart Stephens lodged a legal complaint alleging a SIM swap hack that led to the theft of at least $6.3 million in various cryptocurrencies from his virtual wallets. In the lawsuit, Stephens asserted that the hacker, only identified as Jane Doe, exploited personal information found online and on the dark web to manipulate security procedures with his mobile service provider, allowing them to alter his account passwords. The hacker then secured Stephens’ mobile phone account, procured a new device, and transferred Blockchain Capital’s managing partner’s private number to a SIM on the new device. According to Stephens, his attackers then transferred millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum, Uniswap (UNI), Compound (COMP), and Maker (MKR) from his hot wallet. They also tried to steal another $14 million in ETH and BTC from Stephens’ cold wallet, but a vigilant Blockchain Capital employee thwarted the attempt. Stephens’ mobile service provider allegedly notified him of the SIM swap incident a day after the theft occurred. The hackers reportedly moved at least half of the stolen funds to a crypto tumbler, making tracing them more difficult. Since filing the lawsuit, the Blockchain Capital co-founder has kept mum on the matter. Bryan Pellegrino LayerZero CEO Bryan Pellegrino was another victim of a SIM swap attack. However, in his case, Pellegrino acted quickly enough to avert any losses from occurring due to the hack. And… we're back in. This was basically my life for the past 24 hours. Luckily we saw hack immediately and the battle began pic.

twitter.com/pjrkMfQ2vT— Bryan Pellegrino (@PrimordialAA) July 5, 2023 According to him, the attacker probably retrieved his details from a badge he’d thrown in the trash upon leaving Collision 2023 in Toronto, Canada. Pellegrino first realized something was amiss when he checked his email and saw notifications from X informing him of changes to his account password.  Upon learning it was a SIM swap, he used his company, LayerZero’s social media account, to warn users against engaging with any posts from his account. He also set about retrieving the account with the help of X staff, who also deleted all posts made by the hacker. Cole Well-known crypto enthusiast and NFT creator Cole (@ColeTherium) also lost his X account after a SIM swap attack on June 5, 2023. His phone number was compromised during the breach, leading to the hacker controlling all posts and direct messages (DMs) from his X account. Cole described the experience as a barrage of text messages leading to the disappearance of cell service and eventually a hostile takeover of his X account. The attacker impersonated Cole convincingly enough to persuade the NFT artist’s cell service provider, AT&T, to transfer his phone number to their device, allowing them to bypass 2FA security measures and access Cole’s X account. During the period of unauthorized access, the hacker initiated a scam involving a nonexistent IGLOO token, which they claimed was the official token for Cole’s former NFT project, Pudgy Penguins. ZachXBT linked the attack on Cole to a group he alleged had hacked more than eight social media accounts belonging to prominent crypto community members, stealing nearly $1 million worth of digital assets over several weeks. Over the past few weeks we have seen 8+ account takeovers connected to the same group of scammers as evident by how their addresses are linked on-chain. I hope @TwitterSafety investigates each attack closely as they have resulted in almost seven figures stolen. @miramurati… pic.twitter.com/ypnqyb5oNy— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) June 8, 2023 According to the blockchain investigator, the group was responsible for SIM swap attacks on crypto influencer Ben “Bitboy” Armstrong,” OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, media personality and crypto critic Peter Schiff, and popular DJ Steve Aoki, among others. Like Cole’s case, most hacked accounts were used to promote fake tokens with phishing links attached. In Mira Murati’s case, the hacker used her account to advertise a bogus airdrop for an ERC-20 token called OPENAI. According to reports, the post was live for almost an hour and was viewed nearly 80,000 times before being removed. Peter Schiff’s account was used to promote another fake token called GOLD, which the hacker breathily described as “tokenized gold.” Signs of SIM swap attacks Understanding the warning signs of SIM swapping can be vital in preventing potential damage from this cyber threat.  Loss of cell service One such indicator is the sudden loss of all your mobile services. It could mean that an attacker has successfully executed a SIM swap, rendering your original SIM card useless. Several victims, including Cole and Sign-In with Ethereum (SIWE) creator Brantly Millegan, have reported being bombarded with text messages before losing cell service. I was recently the target of a sim swap attack, which I thankfully survived. here's what happened and how you can protect yourself:one evening i suddenly started getting spammed with hundreds of texts from random numbers, mostly just gibberish. i went through and deleted and…— brantly.eth (@BrantlyMillegan) June 12, 2023 In such a scenario, you will be unable to make calls or even text customer support. Strange posts from your social accounts Suspicious activity on your social media platforms is another telltale sign. If you start noticing posts, comments, or messages that you didn’t make, your account may have been compromised. Inability to access your financial accounts In addition, an inability to access your financial accounts is a major red flag.

If you find that your usual login credentials for your credit card or bank account no longer work, it’s quite likely that you have fallen prey to a SIM swap attack. Notifications from strange devices There are other, subtler signs as well. An attacker might use your stolen phone number or SIM card on different devices. In more sinister cases, hackers can access all your mobile data, including files you’ve downloaded and applications you use, ranging from social networking apps to financial ones. Responses from regulators The US Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have diligently explored effective strategies to counteract and prevent SIM swap scams for quite some time. On July 11, the FCC announced a raft of measures, including creating the Privacy and Data Protection Task Force, intended to shield consumers from the escalating wave of SIM swap scams. Among the proposed measures is an update to the FCC’s rules about personal network information and local number transferability. If enacted, the guidelines would compel mobile service providers to implement secure ways of verifying customer identity before allowing a phone number to be transferred to a new device or different provider. Moreover, providers would be obligated to promptly notify customers whenever a SIM change or number transfer request occurs on their account. According to the Commission, the new rules intend to form a consistent structure across the mobile industry while offering providers the leeway to implement the most innovative and suitable fraud prevention measures. The proposal also opens the possibility for further adjustments, seeking public input on better aligning these rules with existing ones and exploring additional ways the Commission can streamline government initiatives to combat SIM swap and number porting frauds. How to protect yourself from SIM swap hacks As we wait to see how telcos will react to the FCC’s proposals, there are several steps you can take to avoid SIM swaps: Keep your mobile number and other crucial details, like passwords and PINs, to yourself. Don’t share these with anyone over the phone. Secure your SIM card with a SIM PIN. It will prompt you for a PIN whenever you restart your phone or use the SIM card on a new device. Be cautious about what information you share online. Cybercriminals are always hunting for valuable data to carry out SIM swap attacks, so don’t post about your financial holdings, including cryptocurrency, on social media or forums. Don’t secure your social and financial accounts with 2FA that uses SMS. Use 2FA apps like Authy, Google Authenticator, or Microsoft Authenticator. Don’t click on suspicious emails or links; they may be designed to steal your sensitive login information. Don’t share your bank or credit card details unless you know who’s asking for them. For an extra layer of protection, consider using a physical security key for your online accounts. Additionally, it is rather difficult to identify social media accounts that have been hacked through SIM swaps. Apart from the account owners and blockchain security analysts warning the public not to interact with certain posts, one tell-tale sign is that most SIM swap scammers tend to limit who can reply to posts from accounts they have taken over, especially when they are sharing phishing links on those posts. Scammers are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to social engineering, and at times, even the most vigilant or well-informed among us can fall victim to their tricks. However, if you take the steps above, you should greatly reduce your chances of falling foul of a SIM swap scam. Source

[oliverdecenpool]

Join #DecenPool to start 4 Types of Income!

Everyone in the current situation thinks that earning interest on idle crypto assets is an exceptional way to make ample money work for you. You have many such projects offering several types of income programs for earning passive income from crypto in 2023. DecenPool Finance is a new yet promising project developed on the yield mechanism BSC blockchain. Know the four types of income this project is here to offer:

DecenPool Staking

DecenPool provides a sophisticated passive earning program which is carefully developed by a team of experts holding knowledge and experience in core Decentralized Autonomous Organization aspects and Asset Under Management team. They are readily involved in the project deployments to release some standard DeFi applications minimizing the complexity and chaos of the current system.

The team are trading professionals’ experts having overall aspects in Day trading, Equity Trading, Derivative Trading, Commodities, Stock exchange, Forex, Margin trading, and Crypto trading. Moreover, the expert panel at the end of the project confines to generate minimum daily returns with their hands-on expertise in the industry.

Brent crude oil, WTI crude oil, Natural gas, gold, silver, copper, coffee, sugar, cocoa and cotton are a few trading assets considered by the company protocols based on the thorough analysis and project overview. Additionally, DecenPool carefully chooses Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Crypton, Cosmos, Uniswap, Shiba Inu, Tron, Solana Matic, Decentraland, Binance Coin, and Cardano as their destined assets to get traded on the official dashboard.

DecenPool Passive Earning Model

DecenPool is mutually sketched, designed and deployed portraying an incredible passive earning model that offers common people a variant earning opportunity. The only thing user needs to fulfil is you need to stake BUSD to upgrade eligible and affordable packages on DecenPool as per your choice preference. In return, the project promises you to serve up to 300% of passive income right by opting for DecenPool. Know the benefits to go for the passive earning staking model:

· Starts with BUSD $100 — $100,000

· You have 3 earning pools for quicker returns

· Availability of multiple-level referral income

· Awaited stem-winding rewards on predefined achievements

· Immediate credit and withdrawals

Why DecenPool Staking Income Program?

- Daily 0.80% BUSD credited to authorized user registered DecenPool wallet

- Right to withdraw the funds from DecenPool wallet to connected MetaMask/Trust wallet anytime [BSC supported wallet]

- Referral invite option to welcome your friends using your referral link and earn rewards royalty bonus on each referral accomplished

- Initial package will close after reaching 200% total returns

- Once you hit the peak of previous package, new packages are readily available for upgrade

DecenPool Passive Earning Program

You now have a full-proof way to generate passive income on DecenPool as explained earlier in four modes of income however, steering clear of inherent volatility to note down. Definitely, the passive income program presented and designed by the team will make you boost and power up your entire portfolio with yield passive, passive royalty, club passive royalty and rewards patterns of options.

Do not forget, investment always comes with associated risks and can happen anytime due to the volatile nature of the market, however, secure your assets here according to your choice of package starting from $100 — $100,0000 USD.

Pool 1: Passive Income

· Earn 0.80% passive income on daily basis for up to 250 working days

· Basic income gets auto-credited to uniform user wallets

· Eligible users can access features of dashboard, guides and support channels

· Consider yourself a member of the DecenPool community in future Airdrops and earn rewards

· Below mentioned plans have a standard 7-day locking period after completion of top-up and upgrade

Pool 3: Passive Royalty Club Income

Same amount/value according to the total daily passive of the marketplace is termed to get added by the company to this pool for distributing the achievers 5 different clubs represented as “passive pool”. Say for instance- if the total passive of a single day counts to $1000, then you will get approximately $1000 added to your passive pool.

Club 1

- Get 30% at target of $1500 fresh business from 3 directs

- Maximum limit is $2000

Club 2

- Get 10% at target of $7500 fresh business from 5 directs

- Maximum limit is $10000

Club 3

- Get 15% at the target of $15000 fresh business from 7 directs

- Maximum limit is $20000

Club 4

- Get 20% at target of 3 users of Club 3 achievers

- Maximum limit is $50000

Club 5

- Get 25% at the target of 4 users of Club 4 achievers

- Maximum limit is $100000

Pool 4: DecenPool Rewards

D1- $3000 | direct business and $25000 business from a team will get iPhone 14 Pro.

D2- $7500 | direct business and $125000 business from a team will get rewards worth $10000+

D3- 3 Decen-2 Pool achievers from 3 different legs with get rewards worth $30000+

D4- 3 Decen-3 Pool achievers from 3 different legs with get rewards worth $100000+

D5- 3 Decen-4 Pool achievers from 3 different legs with get rewards worth $450000+

The interested user should check out the below-mentioned terms/conditions for rewards:

· Least withdrawal $10/day

· Least withdrawal is the same amount as that of ongoing active pool

· Admin fee is 10% for service and support

· Opt account renewal after completion of 3x earning

· 24*7 withdrawal

Keep in touch with Social Media

website: https://decenpool.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/decenpool

Telegram: https://t.me/DecenPoolChat

Medium: https://medium.com/@decenpool

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Decenpool

Discord: https://discord.gg/HwuH9QkMxu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/DecenPool/100088719018561/

[fitmintwear]

What is Crypto Airdrop- Everything you need to know

Airdrop, according to the dictionary, is a delivery of resources that was dropped off from thousands of feet in the sky through an aircraft during world wars in the 20th century. However, the term is more prevalent these days in the crypto space than ever before. The latest blockchain projects are inviting users from the crypto community to participate in their airdrops. With this article, let’s understand the concept behind airdrops, what they are, why airdrops are hosted, and how to avoid airdrop scams.

What is a Crypto Airdrop?

In layman’s language, how a newly opened bakery offers free cookies to the people in order to give a taste of their product, a blockchain project, following the same old practice, offers free tokens to the people to create awareness about their project. It is a marketing strategy/ stint where crypto millennials are invited to participate in the airdrops hosted by blockchain startups. It involves delivering an amount of the said project’s native tokens to the wallets of participants/ winners either free of cost or in return for a small promotional service.

Types of Crypto Airdrops

Based on the diversity in the crypto space, airdrops could be of different types. Let’s learn about the 4 commonly organized airdrops.

1- Standard Airdrop

Unlike how it sounds, a standard airdrop is not as common as the other airdrop types. Standard airdrops are hosted to increase the ownership of the project’s native token by giving it away to as many people as possible. Thus, in order to participate in a standard airdrop, all a user mostly requires is a crypto wallet on which the cryptos can be dropped off. Popular for their simplicity, Standard airdrops are mostly time sensitive. 

2- Bounty Airdrop

Bounty airdrop is a point based airdrop where participants are assigned a series of tasks. On accomplishing these tasks, participants earn points. Now based on the nature of how large the bounty is, a participant may have to earn a certain amount of points before qualifying for the airdrop. These tasks are mostly associated with basic promotional activities on social media to increase the awareness of the project. It may include retweeting a pinned tweet by the host, following the company’s instagram handle, joining the discord channel, signing up for the newsletter, or more. 

3- Holder Airdrop

Unlike other airdrops, holder airdrops work a little differently as participants may not require to do any promotional activity but simply hold coins of the said cryptocurrency in their wallet. For example, if the airdrop is hosted for Ethereum holders, only those who hold Ethereum crypto in their wallet will be eligible to participate. Interestingly, the host can also decide the minimum amount of cryptos required to be eligible for participation and so the token distribution ratio per coin held. In order to participate, a user simply submits a snapshot, showing the number of tokens held in his wallet and the reward tokens are air-dropped. Holder Airdrops are mostly hosted to target the investors with large amounts of cryptocurrency in their wallet. 

4- Exclusive Airdrop

An exclusive airdrop is sort of an internal airdrop which is held for the designated users that have stayed connected with the project since its early days and supported it. Such exclusive airdrops are a way of rewarding those users for their loyalty.

Why are Airdrops necessary?

Besides increasing the popularity of the project, the main purpose of hosting airdrops is to bring the native token of the project in circulation. No reason why the host wants more and more people to participate so the word goes around the crypto ecosystem. For once the project is launched, it is the value of the token that will speak for the growth of the project in the crypto world, therefore it must stay true to its value. 

The value of a crypto token is largely driven by the number of people holding it. As the number of people investing in it soars up, and so does the volume of transactions, the token will gain value in the market. For instance, Sand, the native token of the popular NFT game Sandbox, started to trade at $0.05 before it climbed to the all time high of $7, gaining a growth of more than 140 times. 

Beware of Crypto Airdrop Scams!

Since airdrops are one of the simplest and easiest ways to earn crypto, these events always attract a huge interest from the crypto community. On the other hand, scammers also keep a close eye on airdrops in order to dupe people. One such common scam is where perpetrators host an airdrop and send their malicious tokens to the wallets of participants. As the curious wallet holders search about the tokens or project on the internet, they end up landing on the website of the scammers. 

The green signals for a genuine airdrop would be the authentic website of the project, their social media handles, the mention of their projects in news or magazines, and more. A user should always keep in mind that a genuine crypto-airdrop host will never ask for cryptocurrencies for enrollment in the airdrop or if the amount of cryptos they offer seem too good to be true. In the big picture, try to stay away from malicious projects and do your own thorough research before participating in any crypto-airdrop.

Bonus: Participate in $1000 worth of airdrop at https://airdrop.epillo.io/

[timeofcrypto]

The Easiest Way To Earn Free Ethereum- Times of Crypto

Many people associate Ethereum with Bitcoin, and the terms Ethereum, bitcoin, and blockchain are sometimes used interchangeably. Vitalik Butyrin is a Canadian-Russian programmer as well as cryptocurrency researcher who founded Ethereum in 2013 and saw it become operational in 2015. The most fundamental and straightforward explanation of Ethereum is divided into two parts: software and platform. The fact that Ethereum is a blockchain-based software platform sets it apart from other software platforms. A blockchain is a computer network-stored digital record of data. The blockchain is unique for three reasons: it is decentralised, transparent, and immutable. Cryptopneurs join this network for a variety of reasons, both professional and personal, and in this article we will go over how to earn free ethereum in detail.

Apart from personal and commercial use, there are several other reasons to not only learn how to earn free ethereum but also how to actively trade ETH.

You can commit to highly secure and auditable smart contracts.

Short selling allows you to sell even when the market is down.

Because of the high leverage margin in Ethereum trading, trade profits are high.

Ethereum, like Bitcoin, has enormous potential. With all of the scalability, it's possible that everyone will realise how viable the Ethereum network is becoming. For example, three years ago, the value was 160 dollars and is now nearly 190 dollars.

Legal ways to learn Earn Free Ethereum

People have the option of investing in cryptocurrency coins or profiting from them. These are our top picks for simple yet legal ways to learn how to earn free ethereum without jeopardising your life.

Faucets for Ethereum

An Ethereum faucet is a website or app that permits you to register a wallet address, solve a captcha, and be rewarded. Free-Ethereum io is an example of a programme that allows you to make a good living in a matter of hours. These websites take advantage of the opportunity to increase traffic and profits. Ethereum faucets typically generate a lot of interest, allowing them to advertise for larger companies. It's also a way to spread the word about such companies and Ethereum in general. Although it is not always sufficient to generate a decent profit, Ethereum faucets are a risk-free method for understanding how to trade.

Ethereum mining

Ethereum is the most important and profitable coin in terms of mining. When the blockchain was launched in 2016, mining Ethereum became possible. Today, crypto mining has seen a significant resurgence, owing largely to Ethereum. So, you can mine free Ethereum with a PC, a wallet, and software.

The technique used by miners (blockchain participants) to validate network transactions is known as mining. The first miner to successfully complete a new block check receives free coins. The only difference is that mining calculations are complex and large, necessitating the use of a computer. These numbers are solved by the machine as hashes.

Ethereum Airdrops

An airdrop is a blockchain project in which free tokens are distributed. However, why do blockchain projects distribute free cryptocurrencies? The goal appears to be to build a fidelity community all while rewarding user loyalty. The first is when users only hold the cryptocurrency for a short period of time. They take a snapshot of the entire blockchain (ledger) to determine who owns what and distribute a proportionate amount of cryptocurrency based on that.

The second type of airdrop is used to substitute for initial coin offerings (ICOs) (ICOs). Facebook and Google banned cryptocurrency advertisements, specifically Initial Coin Offerings, in 2017. (ICOs). After a year, only the United States and Japan were exempted from the ban.

Ethereum Buying and Selling

Trading Ethereum entails buying and selling the digital currency. When the market is favourable, you can buy ether and sell it at a profit. Trading ETH and other cryptocurrencies is virtually identical. You'll need coins, a wallet, and a trading platform to get started and learn How to Earn Free Ethereum.

Make a cryptocurrency wallet and an account on a cryptocurrency trading website. Purchase ether from a reputable vendor. Platforms usually protect both the seller and the buyer to ensure that no one is taken advantage of during the transaction. After you make your purchase, keep the coins in your wallet for a while to allow the value to rise. If the set rate is acceptable, you can sell your ether to another user.

Lending and Staking

The cost of borrowing something, in this case ether, is referred to as interest. You can convert your portfolio to an interest account if you already trade. Staking and lending is a more formal term for it. The cryptocurrency trading company with which you have an account may borrow from you and charge you a higher interest rate on the loan. You must have an account on the lending platform. You must also have a substantial amount of money in your account to stake. If you have both, you can request that some of your ether be deposited into the company's account.

[the-lonelybarricade]

You Look Like Bad News

Elucien Week Day 7: Free Day, @elucienweek2022

Summary: Elain hated living next to Lucien Vanserra. Almost as much as she hated the girl he was fucking.

CW: Smut, Spanking, Dirty Talk, Bad BDSM Etiquette, typos probably

Read on AO3 ・ Elucien Week Masterlist

-

Elain stared blankly at the computer screen, her face reflected back at her among her many bored colleagues listening to the CEO lead their weekly company-wide zoom call. There were enough people in the call that she felt relieved, thinking hardly anyone would notice the distinct blush that crept over her cheeks.

Still, her eyes flicked to the small red icon in the bottom left of her screen. She hovered her mouse over the symbol to assure herself that it still read muted. As if she hadn’t just checked it 30 seconds ago.

“Fuck,” she heard Lucien gasp, causing Elain to stiffen and her eyes to dart back to that symbol, reassuring herself that it was still red. “Does that feel good?”

The CEO carried on talking. Her coworkers continued looking mildly disinterested. And yet Elain wanted to slam her laptop shut and curl into a ball of shame. Instead she took a slow breath and hovered her mouse over the exit button, praying the meeting would wrap up soon.

“Fucking hell, baby, just like that,” Lucien grunted. The sensual grate of his voice caught at her skin, causing the hairs to raise on her arms. Elain eyed the box with her camera on screen, watching her flushed-cheeked portrait subtly shift. “Such a—hng—good girl.”

“Elain,” the CEO said suddenly, causing Elain to straighten. “Do you have anything to add?”

Beyond the screen, she swore she heard a soft, rumbling puff of laughter. She tried to block it out, swallowing her nerves as she hastily clicked the button to unmute herself and stuttered out, “Uh n-n-no sir, nothing to add here.”

She muted herself just as quickly, terrified that any of the moaning and panting would seep through to the listening ears on the other end of the computer. The odd looks of her colleagues didn’t escape her notice, but she prayed they were a result of her unusual lack of composure and nothing more.

The meeting stretched an excruciating eternity longer before it ended, and Elain was again confronted with the reflection of her stained cheeks as the screen went black. Elain huffed as she leaned back in her seat, glaring out her window to the stoic windowpane beyond.

Suffice to say, Elain hated living next to Lucien Vanserra. 

Almost as much as she hated the girl he was fucking.

-

Elain started work two hours before Lucien did.

Two hours of listening to him pleasure some girl into madness before he politely escorted her out of his house. Elain didn’t know why she did it, her curiosity overpowering her sense of self preservation, but she peeked out the window into the courtyard of their building just to catch a glimpse of the retreating figure. Long, tangled blonde hair swished in step over the elegant black dress she wore.

The clothes she was wearing last night, if Elain had to guess. She’d had her fair share of walks of shame to recognize when it was being done. She just typically saved them for a weekend and not a Monday morning.

Elain dropped back into her seat with a sigh, eyes wandering back to the clock. 9:59. In the five months she’d lived in this building, Lucien had never once been late for work. She wondered if his new friend would be throwing a spanner into his otherwise pristine track record.

The numbers shifted at the top of her phone screen, and a message appeared alongside it as though he had been tracking the seconds. Even with no one there to witness, Elain still tried to hide her smile. 10:00. 

Airdrop:

“Lucien Vanserra” would like to share a photo.

Pressing her lips together to deter any sound, she brought her phone closer to peer at the details on the preview. Some men might choose to harass women by airdroping them pictures of their penis. Lucien chose memes. Probably because the first time he had done it, she had been so caught off guard that she couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled from her lips.

The small box showed a cat with its arms outstretched. Written over it was heavy bold lettering that read, “GO AWAY MONDAY, pew pew pew.” Elain wanted to accuse him of being a flirt, and equally a liar. His Monday sounded as if it were going fantastically for him. Really, he should be sending stupid Monday memes to the girl who just left his apartment half dressed.

But she had never said a word to him before and she wasn’t going to start now. Elain tapped Decline, knowing fully well that Lucien wouldn’t be notified regardless of her choice. It still made her feel better, like she was making a statement with her silence.

“Good morning,” Lucien chirped, making Elain jump. 

The drapes of his window were pulled shut, as they always were. But for a second she felt so certain he was speaking to her that she opened her mouth to respond.

She was cut off by a much quieter male voice, tinny as it drifted through speaker and glass and wall to reach her. “You look like you’ve had a good night’s sleep.

Elain recognized that voice well enough—Lucien’s boss, Tamlin.

“You could say that,” Lucien said, the smugness in his voice making Elain wish their adjacent windows opened all the way so that she could lob a pencil at him. But he didn’t say anything else about his morning escapades, shifting into the strictly professional persona that she’d become accustomed to working beside.

Up until she heard the soft sound of a zoom call closing. There was a moment of silence where she imagined he slipped off his corporate smile and leaned back in his seat.

“Asshole,” he muttered.

Elain laughed. She’d overheard enough of Tamlin’s overbearing management style to agree with the assessment.

“Really?” She heard Lucien ask. Elain could picture the singular raised brow he had once shot at her when she stumbled through the hall with too many groceries and had glared at him for offering to help. That, and his stupid, irritating smirk that never seemed to leave his lips. “That earned a laugh, but not the cat?”

Elain glanced at her phone, for just a moment entertaining the idea of sending him that same meme back with the caption “GO AWAY EAVESDROPPER, pew pew pew.” 

It might have made him laugh, and the sound always reminded Elain of running barefoot through the grass with honeysuckle between her lips. Nothing in her adult life had ever felt so magical as a flower that smelled and tasted like golden syrup—or so she thought, until she heard Lucien Vanserra laugh and that same mirth had dropped on her tongue all over again.

Which was precisely why she pushed her phone out of sight, put in her headphones, and carried on with her workday as though he hadn’t said anything at all.

-

“Fuck, babygirl,” Lucien groaned. Elain’s teeth clenched harder with every obscene slap of skin that carried through the walls, threatening to crack a molar as she did her best to stare blankly at the camera.

“You’re so fucking pretty like this,” he groaned, voice as rich and dark as the coffee steaming from the mug in Elain’s hand. If she could, she would dump it on him. “Keep your mouth open, baby, just like that. Good girl.”

What were the odds, Elain wondered, that she would end up living next to someone who couldn’t shut up in the bedroom? How many men had she dated who had the exact opposite problem, and now she was forced to endure this fantasy second-hand? 

“You like letting me use your mouth like this?” It was so filthy that Elain had to duck her face into her mug in an attempt to hide the flush that was spreading over her cheeks. “I know you do, such a good little slut for me.”

Elain choked, which she was certain Lucien wasn’t unused to hearing in response to those words, but in this case it was coffee that spluttered out of her mouth and onto the desk. She coughed, waving apologetically at her colleagues as she shut her camera off and stood up.

The walk from her office to the kitchen was a momentary reprieve, the sex noises only a distant taunt as she blindly grabbed for a roll of paper towel. She stopped in her laundry room to shrug off her ruined blouse before she came back into the office to mop up the spill.

She could still hear his grunting.

 “So fucking tight, baby.”

And maybe it was jealousy.

“Are you going to be a good girl and come on my cock?”

Maybe it was the fact that she’d embarrassed herself in her meeting.

“That’s it. So fucking good for me. Ready to do it again?”

But Elain felt something snap.

Before she knew what she was doing, Elain had grabbed her phone and was pulling up pictures of condoms on Google images. It only took a minute before she was clicking on his name from the Airdrop menu. And hardly a minute after that before she heard, “Are you serious?”

That was the girl’s voice, and Elain recognized that tone as one belonging to any woman who just witnessed a man do something with unbridled audacity.

“Sorry,” she heard Lucien say, still breathless. “I just…”

Elain bit her lip, wandering closer to the window as she, for once, strained to hear every word coming from Lucien’s apartment.

“You seriously stopped to check your phone in the middle of sex?” The girl demanded. Despite being the instigator, Elain found herself hoping she kicked Lucien’s ass for it. “Who the fuck is Elain?”

“She’s…”

My neighbor, he should have said. Perhaps it wouldn’t have vindicated him, but it would have at least impeded the conclusion that any self respecting person would draw.

“Oh my god,” the girl said, sounding so appalled that Elain felt guilty for her part. “You’re using me to cheat on someone!?”

“No, not at all—”

“Forget this,” she snapped, followed by the sounds of shuffling that made Elain guess she was quickly throwing her clothes back on. 

“Seriously,” Lucien insisted. “I’m not dating anyone, Elain is just—”

“Someone that you stop in the middle of sex to check your messages from?” The girl wasn’t giving him an inch. “Or was I just boring you?”

Even Elain winced.

“No—” Lucien started, but he was cut off by a slamming door. And then another one, further away. Elain stayed where she was at the window, watching with wide eyes as the girl came into view, angrily storming across their building’s courtyard to the parking lot.

The curtains of Lucien’s window tore open, and Elain’s attention instantly redirected to the tall, very naked man she had only ever caught sidelong glimpses of in the hallway. He was unfairly attractive, golden brown skin gleaming as the sun caught at his sweat. 

His handsome face was drawn, scarlet brows pressing together as he watched the blonde haired girl push into her car. Elain’s mouth felt dry, especially as her traitorous eyes trailed away from his face, marking the tensed and heaving muscles of his chest and abdomen. Fine red hair teased below his navel, guiding Elain’s to a thick patch of scarlet curls and, more importantly, the massive penis that was still half-erect. And, dear god, did she suddenly understand why that girl would scream so loud at 8 in the morning. 

Elain watched, fascinated, as his penis bobbed, stiffening before her very eyes. It was then she realized that Lucien’s attention was no longer on the girl in the parking lot.

He was staring right at her. 

And she still hadn’t put a new shirt on. She supposed that put them on somewhat equal footing. She couldn’t find it in herself to be scandalized by his less-than-subtle survey of her exposed chest when she had just been oogling his erection.

“Busy morning?” He asked, like they were fucking work colleagues talking about the weather.

Elain stared back unflinchingly. “Not as busy as yours, it seems.”

It was the first thing she had ever said to Lucien. She was certain that’s why a smirk was blooming on his stupidly perfect lips.

His russet eyes were full of nothing but challenge. “It could have been busier. It’s a shame my neighbor likes to meddle.”

“I was only encouraging you to be safe,” she said with feigned innocence. “It’s a shame you decided to immediately check your phone.”

It was a question more than she’d liked to admit, an unspoken why? hanging off her words. Lucien cocked his head like he heard it, was processing it.

And sidestepped the question completely as he said, “Eavesdropping is rude, you know.”

Elain scoffed. “So is having loud sex with your windows open.”

His eyes slanted towards her desk. “I think you’d find those headphones work wonders.”

“I was in a meeting,” she snapped.

Lucien raised his brows, eyes pointedly darting to her chest to remind Elain that she was only wearing a bra. “I can see that,” he said dryly. “I’m jealous—I could never get Tamlin to dress up in pretty lace for me on my work calls”

“He’s probably worried you’ll tell him he’s a good girl.” 

Delight flickered in Lucien’s eyes, and Elain had the sense that he enjoyed a little pushback. “Oh I would never tell Tamlin he’s a good girl. He’s far too much of a brat.”

That final word rolled off his lips with an emphasis that sent Elain’s pulse rushing. She knew without asking that she was in company with Tamlin in that regard. 

Maybe she wanted to prove him right. Maybe she wanted to see how brats got treated by someone who spilled praise so readily in the bedroom. Maybe that’s why the question left her lips before she could weigh the consequences of asking it.

“What does he get instead, a few swats on the ass?”

There it was again, that perfect, irritating smirk. Paired with a heated once-over that made her knees feel weak. “Do you want to find out, Elain?”

God, the way he said her name made it sound filthy.

“I want you to shut your windows,” She said indignantly.

“Will I get anything in exchange?” The way his eyes wavered on the swell of her breasts and his erection bobbed, she thought she knew exactly what he would ask for. Wasn’t convinced she wouldn’t give it to him, if he asked.

Her responding smile was sickly sweet. “In exchange, you won’t have police showing up at your door for a noise complaint.”

If anything, that seemed to make him harder. She could see him measuring her expression, deciding how bold he could be. Elain found herself licking her lips in anticipation, willing him to keep playing the game.

His voice was low, each syllable scraping roughly against her skin. “Why don’t we make them show up at your door instead?”

Elain had to try very hard to pretend she was unimpressed as she raked her eyes over his form. “I doubt I’d be making much noise at all.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“It’s a promise.”

One that he very much looked like he intended to disprove. 

His smile was nothing short of shameless. “Why don’t we have a drink together after work?” 

Elain couldn’t help but laugh. He was pressing his luck and they both knew it. “Do I need to remind you that your dick is still wet from the last girl you bought a drink?”

“You didn’t seem to mind by the way you’ve been staring at it,” he retorted. Elain’s face felt hot, irrational anger boiling in her stomach. Surely, most men would have at least a shred of humility to be in this situation. How could he stand so proudly with his dick out after being rejected by two girls in the space of an hour?

Elain shook her head in disbelief. “You need to call her back and apologize for being an ass.” She frowned as she glanced at her desk, eyes drifting towards at work laptop. The screen had gone black from inactivity and she cringed as she remembered the meeting she’d left. “And I need to get back to work.”

Lucien pressed his hand to the glass, dark lips parting to say something, but Elain cut him off by leaving the room in search of a new shirt. She wasn’t going to let his charming words make her forget that he’d just been fucking another girl. He was nothing but a flirt, and Elain had already had enough of men who were only capable of thinking with their dicks. Regardless of how beautiful his face, she knew that Lucien Vanserra was bad news.

The curtains were still open when Elain came back to her desk. Lucien had disappeared from the window, but if she craned her head she could see where he stood in front of his dresser, tugging a shirt over his head.

He turned, and their eyes met. Elain scrambled to open her computer, refusing to witness his smirk at catching her in the act.

She could feel him staring at her, but she kept her eyes trained on the screen. His office was in his bedroom. At least that explained why she could overhear everything.

How was she supposed to concentrate on filling out spreadsheets with those stupid russet eyes studying her every move? She felt like a bug squirming beneath a lens, every move being picked apart and examined. What did he see, she wondered?

Probably the same thing she saw when her screen went black again after she spent too long thinking about his naked body instead of actually doing her work. Red, condemning cheeks. 

It was the proximity, she told herself, taking a steadying breath. It was the fact that she couldn’t leave, and that when he sat down in his desk they could have been office colleagues for how close they sat.

10:00.

Airdrop:

“Lucien Vanserra” would like to share a photo.

She declined it without even looking at the preview, ignoring the way he watched her over his desktop.

Airdrop:

“Lucien Vanserra” would like to share a photo.

Elain gritted her teeth. She snatched her phone and quickly hit decline. Then, holding his gaze, she held the screen up to the window so he could see she was switching it off. 

He grinned, and Elain suddenly felt stupid for giving him any attention at all. “You know you could have  just turned off your airdrop.”

“You’ve lost curtain privileges,” she snapped, tugging her curtains shut so she didn’t have to look at his smug face.

But she could still hear him laugh. Still taste that honesysuckle on her lips.

“Enjoy your dark room,” he said.

Elain turned her phone back on just so she could airdrop him a picture of her middle finger.

He sent back an admittedly tasteful picture of his penis. It was the first time in five months she’d ever hit accept. A secret between Elain and the curtains.

“This could be considered sexual harassment, you know,” she hummed, stalling as she scoured through pictures of penises on the internet. She would begrudgingly admit it took her a while to find one that was nicer than his, but the second she found one that was both thicker and larger she wasted no time in airdropping it to him.

He laughed good naturedly. “You’re bigger than I thought you’d be.”

Elain pressed her lips together to silence her laughter. Her ex boyfriend would have been catatonic if she’d sent him a picture of a penis.

“Think you can take it?” 

“Are you offering?”

It felt easier to talk to him without looking at his face. Maybe that’s what made her bolder. “Will you let me call you a good slut?”

“I’ll let you call me whatever you want.” There was a sincerity to his voice that shook some of her resolve.

“That girl you’ve been seeing…”

“We aren’t dating,” he said hastily. “Just two adults, having some mutual fun.”

“Is that what you’re after then? Just some fun?” Elain had only ever been in long-winded relationships. She was more than a little curious what just fun could look like with someone like Lucien.

“Why?” She could hear the smirk in his voice. “Are you interested?”

This was such dangerous territory. Elain could pratically hear the warning bells going off in her mind. Nothing was ever just fun. Things would get weird and messy and complicated. They were neighbors. There would be no escaping him if things went wrong.

“You get one drink,” she said finally. Before he could say something smart, she added, “Here. Me in my apartment and you in yours. Only if you promise to leave me alone the rest of the work day.” After a moment’s thought, she quickly added, “And you have to wear clothes.”

“I have a tendency to,” he quipped. Then, “Will the curtains be open?”

“As long as you behave yourself.”

Another laugh. Soft, brushing over air to soak into her skin. “I never do.

-

Elain was nervous. She knew it was silly to be—she was having a drink inside her own home. The most they could do was talk. Yet she found herself making her drink extra strong, hoping it would lend her some liquid courage.

He was already sitting in his chair when she pulled the curtain back, long fingers braced loosely around a crystal glass. It was raised to his mouth, and Elain could help staring at the gleam it left behind on his plush lips. 

She settled cautiously on her chair. “Did you have a nice day at work?”

“You could hear the entire thing,” he said, raising one of those scarlet brows.

“Believe it or not, I don’t listen in on your every word.”

It was a lie. Elain hardly ever wore her headphones, which meant she was privy to nearly every one of his workcalls. But she had a feeling the same was true for him.

“Work was lovely,” he said, which she also knew was a lie. From the sounds of it, his work day had been stressful. But Lucien leaned forward, bracing his arms against his knees. “Do you want to know why work was lovely, Elain?”

She took a heavy swallow of the martini she’d made for herself. “Why was work lovely, Lucien?”

“Because I got to sit through it knowing that at the end of the day, I’d get to have a drink with you.”

“I didn’t know my boobs made such a lasting impression,” she said flatly.

That toyed a smile on his lips. “It was your penis, actually.”

She laughed around the rim of her glass. “Funny, I was going to say the same of you.”

“Oh?”

“It’s not everyday you see one waving at you through a window,” she joked. And maybe, if she was being honest, she’d looked at that picture he’d sent more than a few times through the course of the day.

Lucien’s smile was a wicked thing as he took a long pull from the amber liquid in his hand. “What were you doing shirtless, anyway?”

“I…” choked, she almost said. But she could already see the jokes he would make at her expense. You like letting me use your mouth like this? It had been one thing to hear him speak like that, having never seen him naked. But thinking of it now…

She cleared her throat. “I spilled coffee on myself.”

“Oh? How unfortunate,” he replied, bringing that glass back to his mouth with that same infuriating smirk. Elain crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for whatever was coming next. 

“How often do you spill coffee and stand shirtless in front of the window? I can time my mornings around–”

“Oh stop. You know why I was standing by the window,” she retorted, the unspoken question hanging between them. 

Lucien, it seemed, was determined to make this painful. He watched her with dark russet eyes, swirling the amber liquid in his hands. “You were so desperate to see my—”

“Why did you answer my message then?”

“You couldn’t guess?” 

Elain blinked, brain grinding to a screeching halt. Words eluded her as she tried to think of something clever to say, something that would lighten the suddenly oppressively tense atmosphere between them. The window was not helping—he might as well have been in her lap. 

Lucien took another drink. “Same reason I like to fuck at seven in the morning.”

Elain choked on the air she had been gulping down. Their eyes locked and held through that window. Did he want her to hear? 

“And the same reason I keep air-dropping you messages you keep ignoring,” he finished. “Hoping one day you’ll respond…hoping you’ll invite me over.”

Elain cleared her throat, trying to lighten the mood despite the way her whole body had gone taut with want. All those mornings listening to him pleasuring that blonde, wondering what it would be like was for her benefit? “Seems like a lot of effort for one person.”

Lucien’s gaze narrowed and she wasn’t sure he’d could see anything but her. “It was hardly any effort at all, Elain.”

Elain swallowed the contents of her glass like it was a shot, the memory of his thickening penis still burned behind her eyes.

“Do you want to come over, Lucien?”

A slow smile crept over his face. “Be right there.”

-

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. 

The second Lucien’s figure disappeared around the doorway, headed towards her

apartment, Elain began a frantic scramble for her bedroom. She went first to her underwear drawer, throwing neatly folded lace around in her urgency to find something interesting.

She had told herself this was just going to be talking. She was not prepared at all for a bedroom guest. Elain couldn’t even remember the last time she’d waxed her—

Three solid, friendly knocks on her door had her scrambling quickly to change into the nicer piece of lingerie.

“Shit,” she grumbled, grabbing quickly at the stuffed animals on her bed and the errant clothes on the floor, all of which she tossed into her closet. Another three knocks, this time a little more urging.

“Don’t tell me you’re playing hard to get now,” he called through the door.

Elain was breathless as she answered the door. She wondered if it was obvious what she’d just been doing. 

Lucien braced himself casually against the doorframe. “Am I allowed to come in, or were you just teasing me?”

Up close, he was so breathtaking it was maddening. Surely, with a dick and face like his, there had to be something horribly wrong with him? Elain couldn’t think of anything readily apparent as she opened the door wider and watched him duck through the frame. He was so tall, practically flooding the entryway as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

God, what did she say? How did they segue into this? Nice to meet you face to face, now kindly show me your penis?

Lucien glanced around the space thoughtfully, studying her sister’s paintings that hung on the walls, the potted plants tucked into every corner she could find a space. He was smiling. “Nice place.”

Elain almost laughed to think they’d circled back to small talk. She opened her mouth to respond, trying to think of something clever to say, but Lucien was clearly getting impatient, too. He grabbed her by the waist and crashed his lips to hers, saving her the effort of playing host. She could taste the alcohol on his lips, stronger once her mouth opened under his.

Was this what people meant, when they say you can get drunk on kissing? The honeyed whiskey on his tongue was something she certainly could lose herself in. Her arms wound around his neck, and suddenly there was a wall behind her back.

She gasped from the force of being unexpectedly pushed into it, and Lucien eagerly swallowed the sound. His hard body pressed against hers, erection already pressing against her thigh.

He pulled away to gasp, “Bedroom?”

“First door on the left,” she breathed, before his mouth fell back to hers. He kissed like he was starving, like he wanted to devour her whole.

Those warm, broad hands had already begun wandering. Moving up from their respectful place at her hips, sliding under her shirt until he had a generous handful of each breast. His thumbs teased beneath the fabric of her bra, and she squirmed beneath his touch as they brushed over her sensitive nipples.

He laughed against her mouth. How delightful, to know that it actually did taste like honeysuckle, and a healthy drop of whiskey. “Just as soft as they looked from my window.”

Elain’s voice was little more than a rasp. “Did your fantasies about being invited over include groping me in the hallway?”

“Yes,” he answered honestly, pressing down hard enough with his thumb to make her gasp. “They included groping you in every room.”

But he got the hint. His hands retreated from teasing her breasts in favor of sliding down to her thighs. He lifted her effortlessly, and she used the opportunity to twine her legs around his waist. They both groaned when that meant she ground herself directly against his straining cock.

He walked blindly through her apartment, too absorbed in keeping his mouth and tongue moving against her own. She didn’t need to worry about cleaning her bedroom, for all he noticed of the world outside of her lips.

She was deposited hastily onto the bed, simply dropped onto her back while he hovered over her, eyes roving darkly over her body like he were trying to decide what to unwrap first. He settled on the buttons of her jeans, fingers nimble as they pushed metal through cloth and yanked. 

Elain took a deep breath, watching the way his attention honed immediately onto the pretty piece of lace she’d slid up her legs just for him.

He fell to his knees.

No one had ever looked at her so hungrily as Lucien Vanserra. He grabbed at her ankles, pressed an errant kiss to the inside of her leg, and then pulled until she was half off the bed, thighs braced against his shoulders.

She should have guessed from what she’d overheard that he was a man of few reservations, but still her mouth fell open with shock as Lucien held her gaze and licked a long strip over the cotton with the flat of his tongue.

“Are you wet for me?” he murmured, toying playfully at the hem of the lace. He prodded his tongue against her entrance, humming at the arousal that was already seeping through the cotton. “Tastes like it.”

It scrambled her brain effectively enough that she needed to remind herself to breathe. She licked her lips in an effort to put moisture back into her mouth. “Is this the part where you tell me I’m a good girl?”

“This is the part where you get to earn it,” he said roughly. “You’ve been a brat all day. Brats don’t get rewarded.”

“You’re going down on me,” Elain pointed out, simply unable to help herself. “That feels like a reward.”

That mouth twisted into the most roguish smile she’d ever seen. With a single finger, he pulled aside the fabric to expose her flushed, glistening lips. And then he buried his tongue inside her.

Elain arched off the bed, panting softly as she ground her hips against his face. Lucien’s hand pressed into her hips to keep her still, hard enough that she was certain they would leave bruises there in the morning. The other hand teased at her clit, rubbing delicious circles in time with the strokes of his tongue.

She clenched her teeth, trying desperately to contain the sounds bubbling in her throat if only to maintain her pride at her stupid promise. I doubt I’d be making much noise at all. Even then, it had been a bluff, but she hadn’t thought the man ate pussy like it was his favorite fucking meal.

With a languid swipe through her folds, his tongue came up to replace his thumb at her clit. He swirled broad, flat circles that had her eyes fluttering shut, only to snap open when he sucked hard on her clit. 

Despite her best efforts, she moaned. Loudly. Lucien pulled away with a smirk, teasing her with soft tweaks of his thumb as he warned, “Not too loud. A disgruntled neighbor might call the cops on us.”

Yet as he returned his tongue to her, she couldn’t help it. The gasps tore from her lips entirely unbidden, pleasure becoming a rattling thing in her otherwise empty body. It was a crawling, living thing that she couldn’t contain, and she felt the need to squirm. To push closer and demand he give her more.

But that strong hand held her hips down. And when she raised her hands to thread them urgently into his silken hair, tugging to encourage him closer, Lucien did the opposite. She could have cried when he pulled away, leaving her clenching around nothing.

“Behave, Elain,” he cautioned. The warning note in his voice could have just as easily been a shot of whiskey for the way it made her head spin, felt so warm pooling down her stomach.

“If this is the treatment brats get, I don’t see why I should,” she said, breath heavy.

Lucien’s eyes darkened. “Pick a safeword.”

And fuck, if she had thought the way he looked at her was heady before. Her cunt squeezed painfully, and she thought she might actually die if he didn’t put something inside her in the next second.

“Airdrop,” she whispered.

Her underwear was yanked down her legs and tossed aimlessly over his shoulder. She didn’t have time to watch it fall, because Lucien flipped her onto her stomach so that she was bent over the bed.

The first slap on her ass rang out in the otherwise silent room. Elain cried out mostly from surprise. No one had ever hit her in the bedroom before. Her heart was beating so loud she could feel each pulse in her throat. The second slap stung, enough that tears blurred the edge of her vision. But worse than that was the heat that rushed between her thighs, until she was aching with a need so desperate she risked the wrath of his palm to arch her ass into the air.

“Fucking hell, Elain,” he breathed, hands gently soothing over the hurt. “Look at you bent over like this for me.” His hands trailed lower, dipping back into her arousal. “Soaked. Is this why you act like such a brat? You like being spanked?”

He slid a finger into her. She moaned, an effort to keep her hips still as she welcomed the friction greedily. She heard him swear, his finger moving lazily inside her.

The bed dipped behind her, and she felt the warmth of his body as he leaned over to whisper in her ear, “Think you can keep quiet while I make you come on my tongue? It should be easy for you, right?” His finger was still teasing her, grinding against a spot that had her shaking in his grip. “But just to help you out, I’ll give you some incentive. The louder you scream, the harder I’ll slap. Sound good?”

Elain found herself nodding, thinking it shouldn’t be that hard to stay quiet, right? 

“Good girl,” he whispered, followed by a soft laugh as he felt her walls immediately clench around him. 

He fell back between her legs with little preamble, immediately licking at the fresh arousal from the small bout of spanking. Elain buried her face into the mattress, letting it smother every errant pant that fled her lips so that Lucien couldn’t hear.

Except when his tongue dived back inside her with renewed vigor, and his arm twined around her so he could press quick, tight circles against her clit, Elain was finding it much more difficult to keep quiet. Her hands turned to fists in the blanket, something about the effort of not making noise making it all the more difficult.

The pleasure was building, merciless and insistent, and she couldn’t help the small moan that eventually escaped. It earned her a sharp, immediate swat with his free hand—already braced to deliver it. And of course, the sting made her gasp, earning her another one. 

Pain twisted with the pleasure of his tongue, increasing the intensity to a metric that made her want to scream. And fuck, did he know how to use those fingers to torture her. The pressure built, and Elain started squirming in his touch. Half desperate to get away, half desperate to get closer. Like she was being torn in half by her desire.

She could feel her walls clenching around his tongue. Her body was tense, sweating with the effort to contain every ragged breath he tore from her lungs. If she took one too loud, it earned her a gentle tap on the swollen, tender skin. 

Lucien searched with each thrust of his tongue until he found a spot that sent her hips twitching, and he kept his attention there, laving at that cluster of nerves, feeling her body shudder beneath him until he forced a cry from her lips.

She could feel the way he smiled against her, pleased that he was able to deal out another punishing hand. Elain cried out against the slap, finding it all too much, too overwhelming with the razor-tipped bliss of his tongue and fingers.

Another slap, and she was screaming, the pain splintering through her body like she were shattered glass and his thrusting tongue was the final stone that made it all come crashing down. She couldn’t register anything beyond the excruciating euphoria that punched through her body, pushing the air out of her lungs in a piercing shriek. It earned her one hard, final slap as she came over his face.

Elain slumped into the bed, gasping as she blinked back tears. Her body felt like a fragile, foreign thing that she hadn’t quite settled back into. The weight shifted on the bed as Lucien stood up and disappeared. She pushed up on her elbows, vision still bleary as she watched him retreat out her bedroom door.

For a moment her heart sank. Was that… just fun? Not even a good job, see you next week? Her ass was still throbbing from his hand, and he just drops the mic and leaves?

She felt foolish when he returned moments later, a cloth in his hand. Elain tensed as he pressed it to her tender skin. It was cool to the touch, soothing once she adjusted to the shock of it.

His hands stroked through her hair, and she turned her head to see that he was watching through tender eyes. “You did such a good job.” He ducked his head to press a kiss to her temple. “How are you doing?”

“My ass hurts,” she said honestly.

Lucien winced. “I’m sorry if I—”

“Don’t,” she cut off. “Don’t apologize. I… I enjoyed it.”

He sighed in relief, looking sheepish as he glanced back towards the cloth he rested laid on her ass. “I don’t think we should keep going. Do you want me to leave?”

No. God, no, she didn’t. But would she look needy, desperate even, if she asked him to stay? He was staring at her, expression guarded well enough that she couldn’t read which way he was inclined.

“Well…” she bit her lip, then glanced over her shoulder to the cloth on her red ass. “Since you’ve thoroughly immobilized me, I think it’s only fair I make you stay and bring me dinner.”

Lucien’s smile was bright enough that she thought maybe he wanted to stay, too. “I suppose that’s only fair,” he said, settling into the bed beside her. “First, though, come here.”

He laid back and opened his arms. Elain wasted no time in shuffling over to him, tucking herself into his chest. He stroked his hands through her hair and over her back.

“Am I still a brat?” she murmured.

“No,” he said, pulling her closer as he kissed her head. “No, you’re a good girl. You’re my good girl.”