Kuma

What is Kuma?

Kuma (previously known as IDEX) is a decentralized trading platform that recently rebranded with a bear-themed identity to align with its integration into the Berachain ecosystem. Founded in 2017 by Alex and Philip Wearn, the platform originally operated as IDEX, a hybrid decentralized exchange that combined centralized order matching with on-chain settlement for Ethereum assets. The rebrand to Kuma was announced on March 24, 2025, signaling a strategic pivot toward Berachain’s ecosystem.

Kuma leverages Berachain’s Proof of Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism to enhance trading efficiency and liquidity provision. The platform maintains its core functionality as a non-custodial trading environment while adding new features specific to the Berachain ecosystem. Kuma aims to create a more efficient trading experience by aligning liquidity provision with network security, offering traders and liquidity providers a scalable and incentivized environment.

Kuma Airdrop Details

The Kuma airdrop is tied to its ongoing transition to Berachain and revolves around a points-based system that rewards user engagement with the platform. Starting April 1, 2025, users can earn BGT rewards by trading perpetual futures on Kuma, marking the first phase of the platform’s reward structure. While specific details about a potential KUMA token distribution aren’t fully confirmed, the platform has established a clear path for users to accumulate benefits through active participation.

The reward system includes both direct BGT token rewards based on trading volume and a referral program that allows users to earn 10% of their referrals’ trading fees in USDC. This two-tiered approach, along with a confirmed upcoming points program, suggests that early platform engagement could be factored into any future token distribution, making current participation potentially valuable for airdrop eligibility.

Step-by-Step Guide:

How to Get Started with the Kuma Airdrop

  • Create a Kuma account – Visit the official Kuma website and sign up for an account by providing the required information.
  • Set up your Berachain wallet – Install a compatible wallet like MetaMask/Rabby and configure it for Berachain. You’ll need BERA tokens for gas fees on the network.
  • Bridge assets to Berachain – Use Rhino Bridge to transfer assets from Ethereum or other chains to Berachain. If you need to purchase BERA or other assets, you can buy them on Binance and then bridge them to Berachain.
  • Connect your wallet to Kuma – Link your Berachain wallet to your Kuma account to enable trading and rewards collection.
  • Start trading perpetual futures – Begin trading on the platform to accumulate trading volume, which directly influences your reward earnings. Focus on active trading starting April 1, 2025, when the $BGT rewards program goes live.
  • Provide liquidity (optional) – provide liquidity above and/or below the current market price by entering limit orders and checking the “post only” option.
  • Share your referral code – Generate your unique referral code from your account dashboard and share it with others to earn additional rewards.
  • Track your rewards – Monitor your BGT rewards and referral earnings through your Kuma dashboard.

Maximizing Your Potential Rewards

To optimize your chances of receiving substantial rewards from Kuma, consider implementing these strategies:

  • Consistent trading activity – Maintain regular trading on the platform to build a steady volume history, as rewards are proportional to trading activity.
  • Diversify your trades – Engage with different trading pairs to demonstrate versatile platform usage.
  • Participate early – With rewards beginning on April 1, 2025, early participation puts you in position to accumulate more points over time.
  • Utilize the referral program – Each successful referral generates passive income through trading fees and potentially improves your standing in the ecosystem.
  • Stay updated on announcements – Follow Kuma’s official channels for updates about additional reward mechanisms or airdrop criteria that may be announced.
  • Provide liquidity – Given Berachain‘s PoL consensus mechanism, liquidity provision could be particularly rewarded in future distributions.

Understanding Berachain and Proof of Liquidity

What is Berachain?

Berachain is an EVM-identical Layer-1 blockchain launched on February 6, 2025. What sets it apart from other blockchains is its innovative Proof of Liquidity (PoL) consensus mechanism, which ties network security to liquidity provision. This approach creates a different incentive structure from traditional Proof-of-Stake networks.

Berachain’s Token System

Berachain operates with a tri-token system:

  • BERA – Used for gas fees and staking
  • BGT – Governance token and rewards currency
  • HONEY – Berachain’s native stablecoin

Understanding these tokens is crucial for Kuma users, as BGT forms the basis of the current rewards program.

How PoL Benefits Kuma Users

The Proof of Liquidity model potentially offers several advantages for Kuma traders:

  • Reduced slippage – Higher guaranteed liquidity leads to more efficient trading
  • Better price discovery – Liquidity-secured networks tend to have more accurate pricing
  • Aligned incentives – Traders, liquidity providers, and validators share common interests
  • Sustainable rewards – The PoL mechanism creates naturally sustainable incentive structures

Trading on Kuma: Practical Tips

Getting the Most from Perpetual Futures

When trading perpetual futures on Kuma to earn BGT rewards:

  • Start with smaller positions to understand the platform’s mechanics
  • Monitor funding rates which can impact profitability
  • Use the majority of your portfolio towards building delta neutral positions
  • You can build delta neutral positions by going long on an asset on Kuma, and then going short the same asset at a different perp DEX (for example on Hyperliquid, Perennial, Vest, etc.)
  • Use a small percentage of your trading capital for directional bets (e.g., going long on BTC-USD)
  • Understand leverage risks as higher leverage increases both potential returns and losses
  • Set appropriate stop-losses to protect your capital during volatile market conditions

Referral Program Strategy

The Kuma referral program offers substantial benefits:

  • You earn 10% of your referrals’ trading fees
  • Your referrals save 5% on their trading fees
  • Referral rewards can be claimed in USDC at any time without gas fees

To effectively use the referral program:

  • Generate your unique referral code from your dashboard
  • Share it through social media, forums, and with friends interested in trading
  • Create educational content about Kuma to attract potential referrals
  • Monitor your referral earnings regularly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KUMA token?

While specific details about the KUMA token haven’t been fully disclosed, it’s expected to be the native token of the Kuma platform on Berachain. Currently, users can earn BGT rewards through trading, which may later factor into KUMA token distribution criteria.

How does Kuma differ from the original IDEX?

Kuma maintains IDEX’s hybrid model of off-chain matching with on-chain settlement but integrates Berachain’s Proof of Liquidity consensus. This enables gas-efficient, near-instant trades and potentially stronger alignment between trading activity and platform security.

How do I claim my BGT rewards?

BGT rewards earned from trading on Kuma are distributed according to the platform’s reward schedule beginning April 1, 2025. The exact claiming process should be outlined in your account dashboard once rewards are available.

Can I participate without trading large volumes?

Yes, while rewards are proportional to trading volume, Kuma’s program is designed to reward consistent participation. Even moderate trading can accumulate meaningful rewards over time, especially when combined with the referral program.

What assets can I trade on Kuma?

Kuma offers perpetual futures for various crypto assets. The exact trading pairs available on the platform can be found in the trading interface after logging in.

Conclusion

Kuma represents a significant evolution in decentralized trading platforms, combining IDEX’s proven hybrid exchange model with Berachain’s innovative Proof of Liquidity consensus. By participating in Kuma’s trading and rewards program starting April 1, 2025, users can potentially position themselves favorably for future token distributions while earning BGT rewards and referral bonuses.

The platform’s strategic alignment with Berachain signal a focused approach to creating a more efficient trading ecosystem where liquidity and security reinforce each other. For traders looking to explore new DeFi opportunities, Kuma offers an interesting blend of established technology and innovative tokenomics.

As with any trading platform and potential airdrop opportunity, the key to success lies in consistent participation, staying informed about platform developments, and understanding the underlying technology. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the Kuma ecosystem and maximize your potential rewards.

You're interested in more projects that do not have any token yet and could potentially airdrop a governance token to early users in the future? Then check out our list of potential retroactive airdrops to not miss out on the next DeFi airdrop!

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Estimated Value

n/a

Tokens per Claim

n/a

Max. Participants

Unlimited

Overview