The long-awaited Flare Network (FLR) token airdrop is one step closer to reality, as Coinbase has officially confirmed its support for the distribution of FLR tokens to eligible XRP holders. This announcement marks a pivotal development for crypto users who held XRP during the network’s snapshot on December 12, 2020.
In a recent tweet, Coinbase reiterated its commitment to honoring prior promises made to customers, stating it will distribute FLR tokens to qualified users. This move brings renewed confidence to the Flare ecosystem and the broader XRP community, many of whom have been awaiting clarity on exchange participation for months.
Coinbase intends to honor our prior commitment to our customers to support @FlareNetworks’ FLR airdrop.
— Coinbase Assets (@CoinbaseAssets)
The exchange confirmed that users on Coinbase.com (Simple and Advanced Trade) and Coinbase Exchange in supported jurisdictions—who held XRP at 00:00 UTC on December 12, 2020—will qualify for the FLR airdrop. Distribution is expected to take place within the first half of 2023, aligning with Flare Network’s broader rollout timeline.
However, it's important to note that not all regions will have access. Coinbase explicitly stated that FLR trading and airdrop eligibility will not be available to users in Germany, Japan, Singapore, New York, and other non-supported jurisdictions. While the exchange supports a wide range of digital assets globally, regulatory constraints continue to shape asset availability across regions.
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Flare Network Responds with Gratitude
The Flare Network and its community welcomed Coinbase’s announcement with enthusiasm. On Twitter, Flare’s official account expressed appreciation:
Thank you @coinbase @CoinbaseAssets @brian_armstrong
— Flare ☀️ (@FlareNetworks)
The Flare community also celebrated the news, calling it a “BREAKING” moment:
??? BREAKING ???
Coinbase finally confirm support for the $FLR distribution!
"We estimate supporting the airdrop within the first half of 2023"
— Flare Community ☀️ (@CommunityFlare)
This public endorsement highlights the significance of Coinbase’s involvement—not just for token distribution logistics, but also for market sentiment and adoption.
Leadership Pressure Preceded the Announcement
Coinbase’s confirmation comes after mounting pressure from Flare Network leadership. Just one week prior, Hugo Philion, CEO of Flare Network, publicly revealed that Coinbase had not responded to outreach regarding FLR distribution. In a now-viral tweet, Philion expressed concern over the lack of communication from one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges.
This silence sparked frustration among XRP holders, especially since other major platforms like Binance and Kraken had already confirmed their participation. Even more notable was Coinbase’s failure to distribute Songbird (SGB) tokens—the Flare testnet counterpart—despite widespread distribution by other exchanges over a year ago.
Prominent crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, known as BitBoy Crypto, also called out Coinbase on social media:
“Wait… Coinbase didn’t give XRP holders their Songbird SGB token distribution? Uncle brian_armstrong, WHAT’S THE DEAL?!”
Such public scrutiny likely played a role in accelerating Coinbase’s decision to clarify its position. The exchange’s eventual confirmation suggests that internal or compliance-related hurdles may have delayed the process, rather than an outright rejection of the airdrop.
Flare Network Stays on Schedule
Despite earlier uncertainties, Flare Network remains committed to launching the FLR airdrop on January 9, 2023. To increase transparency, the team recently published a list of exchanges supporting the distribution. As of the latest update:
- 25 exchanges, including Binance and Bithumb, have confirmed support.
- 12 exchanges, including Coinbase and Binance.US, were initially unconfirmed—but Coinbase has now joined the list of supporters.
This proactive disclosure helps users understand where their assets stand and encourages exchanges to respond promptly. With Coinbase now on board, expectations are high for others to follow suit before the official launch date.
👉 Stay ahead of upcoming crypto airdrops and maximize your digital asset opportunities.
Understanding FLR and Its Value Proposition
The FLR token is central to the Flare Network’s mission of expanding smart contract functionality to blockchains without native smart contract capabilities—starting with XRP Ledger (XRPL). By bridging XRPL with Ethereum-compatible decentralized applications (dApps), Flare aims to unlock new use cases such as DeFi, NFTs, and cross-chain interoperability.
Key features of Flare Network include:
- State Connector: Enables secure data verification from external networks.
- Flare Time Series Oracle (FTSO): Provides decentralized price feeds and real-time data.
- EVM Compatibility: Allows developers to deploy Ethereum-based dApps seamlessly.
FLR serves both as a utility and governance token within the ecosystem. It secures the network through inflationary rewards and enables holders to participate in protocol upgrades and decisions.
For XRP holders, this airdrop represents more than just free tokens—it’s an opportunity to engage with a next-generation layer-1 blockchain designed to enhance the utility of their existing holdings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the FLR airdrop?
The FLR airdrop distributes Flare tokens to users who held XRP at the time of the snapshot on December 12, 2020, at 00:00 UTC. The goal is to bootstrap network participation and decentralization.
Am I eligible if I held XRP on Coinbase?
Yes—if you held XRP on Coinbase.com or Coinbase Exchange in a supported jurisdiction at the time of the snapshot, you qualify for the FLR distribution.
When will I receive my FLR tokens?
Coinbase expects to distribute FLR tokens within the first half of 2023. Exact dates will be announced by the exchange closer to the rollout.
Why isn’t Coinbase supporting FLR in certain regions?
Due to varying regulatory environments, some jurisdictions—including Germany, Japan, Singapore, and New York—are excluded from FLR trading and airdrop eligibility.
Did Coinbase distribute SGB tokens?
No. Unlike other major exchanges, Coinbase has not yet distributed Songbird (SGB) tokens, which were part of Flare’s testnet phase. This delay raised concerns before the FLR confirmation.
How can I prepare for the FLR airdrop?
Ensure your XRP was held on a supported exchange during the snapshot period. If you self-custodied your XRP, verify compatibility with Flare’s distribution process via official Flare Network channels.
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Final Thoughts
Coinbase’s confirmation of FLR token distribution is a significant milestone for both the Flare Network and XRP holders worldwide. While delays and regional exclusions remain challenges, the broader trend points toward growing institutional recognition of fair-launch mechanisms and community-driven tokenomics.
As decentralized ecosystems evolve, events like the FLR airdrop underscore the importance of exchange cooperation, regulatory navigation, and user empowerment. For investors and developers alike, Flare represents a promising frontier in cross-chain innovation—one that could redefine how value moves across blockchains.
With distribution on track for early 2023 and major platforms now aligned, the stage is set for a transformative moment in crypto history.
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