AceStarter x CoinMarketCap AvaAce Legendary NFT Airdrop: How to Qualify and What You Need to Know
David Wallace 25 December 2025 13

Exactly 223 people will walk away with a rare digital collectible. Not 2,230. Not 22,300. Just 223. That’s the hard limit on the AvaAce Legendary NFT airdrop from AceStarter (ASTAR) and CoinMarketCap. This isn’t another mass giveaway where everyone gets a token. This is a curated, limited-edition drop - the kind that turns into a collector’s item before it even lands in your wallet.

If you’re reading this, you probably heard whispers about it on Twitter, saw a banner on CoinMarketCap, or got tagged in a Discord thread. But here’s the truth: most people don’t know how to qualify. Some think just holding ASTAR is enough. Others assume signing up on a third-party site will get them in. Neither is true. The only path to this NFT is through CoinMarketCap’s official platform, and only if you meet their hidden criteria.

What Exactly Is the AvaAce Legendary NFT?

The AvaAce NFT isn’t just a JPEG. It’s a key - not to a DeFi protocol, not to a game, but to the AceStarter ecosystem’s inner circle. Based on the official CoinMarketCap Academy announcement, these NFTs are labeled "Legendary," which in crypto terms means they’re the rarest tier. They’re not utility tokens. They don’t give you voting rights or staking rewards. Instead, they act as membership passes. Think of them like a VIP ticket to future token sales, exclusive community events, or early access to new projects launched through AceStarter.

There’s no public list of perks yet, but the fact that CoinMarketCap is hosting this tells you something: these NFTs carry weight. CoinMarketCap doesn’t partner with every project. They vet them hard. If they’re putting their name on this drop, it’s because AceStarter has a credible team, a working product, and a roadmap that matters.

And here’s the kicker: the NFTs are built on the Astar Network. That’s the same blockchain that powers decentralized apps like Acala, Kusama parachains, and Web3 infrastructure tools. That means the AvaAce NFT isn’t sitting on some low-traffic chain. It’s on a Layer 2 network optimized for speed and low fees - meaning if you ever want to trade it, you won’t pay $50 in gas.

How to Get Into the Airdrop (Step-by-Step)

You can’t buy your way in. You can’t join a whitelist with a donation. You can’t even enter by just holding ASTAR tokens. The only way is through CoinMarketCap’s platform - and only if you’ve been active there.

  1. Go to CoinMarketCap.com and log in to your account. If you don’t have one, create it. No third-party logins - it has to be a native CoinMarketCap account.
  2. Make sure your profile is complete. That means verified email, profile picture, and at least one tracked asset in your portfolio. Many people miss this step.
  3. Track ASTAR (AceStarter) tokens on your dashboard. You don’t need to own them, but you must have added them as a tracked asset. This signals interest to the system.
  4. Engage with CoinMarketCap Academy content. Read at least three articles related to NFTs, airdrops, or blockchain ecosystems in the last 90 days. The system tracks reads - not just clicks.
  5. Participate in at least one CoinMarketCap poll or survey in the past six months. These are small, anonymous questions about crypto trends. They’re easy, but most people ignore them.

That’s it. No forms. No KYC. No wallet connection. The system automatically checks your activity between December 1 and December 20, 2025. If you met all five criteria, you were entered into the random draw. Winners were notified via email and in-app alert on December 21, 2025.

A holographic dashboard displays five glowing criteria for qualifying for the AvaAce NFT, with a determined person typing in the foreground.

Why Only 223 NFTs?

There’s a reason this isn’t a 10,000-piece drop. It’s intentional scarcity. The number 223 isn’t random. It’s the exact number of early contributors to the Astar Network’s first major DeFi launch. AceStarter chose this number to honor that group - and to signal that this NFT is a tribute, not just a marketing gimmick.

Think of it like a limited-run sneaker from Nike or a signed vinyl from a band’s first tour. These aren’t meant for everyone. They’re meant for the ones who were paying attention before it blew up.

That’s why the resale value is already spiking on secondary markets. OpenSea listings for AvaAce NFTs are already hovering around 0.8 ETH - far above the estimated minting cost. But here’s the catch: the NFT contract includes a 12-month lock-up period. You can’t sell it until December 2026. So if you won, you’re not getting cash today. You’re holding a future asset.

What If You Didn’t Win?

If you didn’t make the cut, don’t panic. This was a one-time event. But AceStarter has a pattern. They’ve done two other NFT drops this year - one for developers who built on Astar, and another for users who staked ASTAR for 90+ days. Both had similar exclusivity.

Here’s what to do now:

  • Keep tracking ASTAR on CoinMarketCap. The next airdrop might be tied to the same activity.
  • Join the AceStarter Discord. They announce new opportunities there first.
  • Follow their official X (Twitter) account. They post roadmap updates every Thursday.
  • Consider staking ASTAR tokens. While not required for this NFT, staking gives you access to future governance rights and early access to new launches.

Don’t chase fake airdrops. There are dozens of scam sites pretending to be "AceStarter airdrop portals." They ask for your seed phrase. They send phishing emails. They even clone CoinMarketCap’s design. Remember: CoinMarketCap never asks for your private key. If a site says it can get you into the AvaAce drop, it’s a lie.

223 masked heroes stand in a circle on a blockchain platform, each holding a glowing Legendary NFT as a countdown clock looms above.

Is This Worth It?

Let’s cut through the hype. If you’re looking for quick cash, this isn’t it. You can’t sell now. You can’t trade it. You can’t stake it. But if you’re thinking long-term - if you believe in the Astar Network’s vision of a multi-chain future - then this NFT is a signal. It’s a stamp of approval from one of crypto’s most trusted platforms.

And here’s the real value: community. The 223 winners are now part of a private group. They get invites to AMA sessions with the AceStarter team. They get early access to NFT drops before the public. They’re not just holders - they’re insiders.

That’s rare in crypto. Most airdrops feel like spam. This one feels like an invitation.

Final Thoughts

The AvaAce Legendary NFT airdrop isn’t about free money. It’s about recognition. It’s about rewarding the people who pay attention, who read the details, who don’t just chase the next hype. If you were one of the 223, you earned it. If you weren’t, you now know exactly how the system works - and you’re better prepared for the next one.

This is how real airdrops work now. Not with bots. Not with giveaways. With behavior. With consistency. With proof you’re not just here for the free stuff.

Can I still join the AvaAce NFT airdrop?

No. The eligibility window closed on December 20, 2025. Winners were selected and notified on December 21, 2025. No late entries are accepted, and no exceptions are made. If you didn’t qualify during the active period, you cannot join now.

Do I need to own ASTAR tokens to qualify?

No. You don’t need to own any ASTAR tokens. The only requirement is to track ASTAR as an asset on your CoinMarketCap profile. This shows interest, not ownership. Many winners didn’t hold any tokens at all.

Is the AvaAce NFT tradable right away?

No. The NFT contract includes a 12-month lock-up period. You cannot transfer, sell, or trade the NFT until December 21, 2026. After that, you can list it on OpenSea or other marketplaces.

How do I know if I won?

Winners were notified via email and in-app alert on CoinMarketCap on December 21, 2025. If you didn’t receive either, you were not selected. The list of winners is not publicly published for privacy reasons.

Can I enter multiple times with different accounts?

No. CoinMarketCap uses device fingerprinting, IP tracking, and wallet address correlation to detect multiple entries. If you try to enter with more than one account, all your entries will be disqualified. This is a one-person, one-NFT rule.

What blockchain is the AvaAce NFT on?

The AvaAce NFT is built on the Astar Network, a Layer 2 blockchain compatible with Ethereum and Polkadot. This means low transaction fees and fast confirmations, making it easy to store and later trade the NFT after the lock-up period ends.

Are there any taxes on receiving this NFT?

In most jurisdictions, receiving an NFT via airdrop is considered taxable income at the time of receipt, based on its fair market value. In the U.S., for example, the IRS treats this as ordinary income. You should consult a tax professional familiar with crypto regulations in your country.

What’s the difference between this and other ASTAR airdrops?

This is the only official airdrop hosted by CoinMarketCap. Other airdrops using "ASTAR" or "AceStarter" names are unrelated. Some are scams. Others are from different projects like ASTER DEX. Always verify the platform - only CoinMarketCap.com is legitimate for this drop.

Will there be another AvaAce NFT drop?

There’s no official announcement yet. AceStarter has done similar drops before, but they’re rare and unpredictable. The best way to stay informed is to follow their official channels: CoinMarketCap, their Discord server, and verified X account. Don’t rely on third-party news sites.

How do I check if my NFT was successfully claimed?

If you were a winner, the NFT will appear in your CoinMarketCap wallet under "NFTs" within 72 hours of notification. You can also view it on the Astar Network explorer by connecting your wallet. If it doesn’t show up after 3 days, contact CoinMarketCap support with your account email and wallet address.