The rise of blockchain ecosystems has witnessed a phenomenal expansion, with over 23,000 cryptocurrencies and a total market capitalization of approximately $1.15 trillion (CoinMarketCap, January 2025). However, this rapid growth has led to an isolated network structure with limited interoperability. Cross-chain protocols, enabling seamless data and asset exchange across blockchain networks, have emerged as the solution to this challenge. Airdrops, the distribution of free tokens to users, are playing a pivotal role in driving adoption for these protocols. Recent data shows that 82% of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms utilizing airdrops in 2023 witnessed a 43% increase in user engagement (Dune Analytics, December 2024). This article examines the impact of airdrops on cross-chain protocol growth through a combination of statistics and real-world examples.