MilkyWay is a Cosmos-based layer-1 blockchain that merges liquid staking and restaking into one modular ecosystem. Designed to support TIA, INIT, and BABY tokens, MilkyWay enables users to unlock liquidity while earning staking rewards—and then amplify their returns by restaking into Actively Validated Services (AVSs). This article explores how MilkyWay works, its tokenomics, how to claim the $MILK airdrop, and what’s next on its roadmap.
What Is MilkyWay ($MILK)?
MilkyWay is a liquid staking and restaking platform built on the Cosmos blockchain. It allows users to stake tokens like $TIA (Celestia), $BABY (Babylon), and $INIT (Initia) while still keeping their assets liquid and usable through “liquid staking derivatives” (LSDs) like milkTIA and milkBABY. These LSD tokens can be traded, used in DeFi, or restaked for additional rewards — all without giving up your original staking yield.
Designed for users who want both rewards and flexibility, MilkyWay removes the typical limitations of staking. You don’t need to lock up your tokens or miss out on other opportunities just to earn staking income.
Key benefits of using MilkyWay:
• Earn While Staying Liquid: Stake your tokens and receive LSDs in return — tradable assets that still earn rewards.
• Put Your Assets to Work Twice: Restake your LSDs to help secure external services and earn extra yield.
• DeFi Friendly: Your LSDs can be used across decentralized apps, providing more ways to grow your assets.
• Built for Interoperability: As a Cosmos chain, MilkyWay supports cross-chain use cases through IBC and CosmWasm, expanding what you can do with your staked assets.
How Does MilkyWay Work?
MilkyWay makes staking more flexible by letting you earn rewards without locking up your assets. When you stake tokens like $TIA or $BABY, you receive liquid staking tokens (LSDs) like milkTIA — these represent your staked assets and continue to generate yield.
You can freely use these LSDs across DeFi platforms, giving you the best of both worlds: rewards and liquidity.
For even higher returns, you can also restake your LSDs to help secure external services in the ecosystem. This adds extra yield and supports the broader modular blockchain infrastructure.
Liquid Staking: Stake Without Locking Up Your Tokens
MilkyWay’s liquid staking allows you to earn staking rewards without giving up control of your assets. When you stake, you receive a 1:1 liquid token (like milkTIA), which remains usable across DeFi apps. You don’t need to wait through unbonding periods or miss other opportunities just because your tokens are staked.
Restaking: Earn Extra Rewards While Supporting the Ecosystem
Restaking lets you put your liquid tokens to work again. You can opt to restake your LSDs to help secure off-chain services such as oracles, rollups, or data availability networks (called AVSs). In return, you earn extra yield on top of your original staking rewards. This system turns your assets into modular security tools while giving you higher returns.
What’s the Tokenomics of MilkyWay ($MILK)?
As the backbone of the MilkyWay ecosystem, $MILK is a multifunctional token designed to align incentives between users, validators, and builders. It plays a central role in network operations, governance, and economic security, helping sustain the liquid staking and restaking infrastructure that powers MilkyWay’s modular design.
You can trade MilkyWay (MILK) on BingX’s spot market via the MILK/USDT pair, enjoying real-time charts, deep order books, and low slippage.
Rather than serving a single purpose, $MILK is structured to support both day-to-day user engagement and long-term ecosystem development. Below are its key utilities:
• Gas Payments: Used to pay transaction fees on the MilkyWay network
• Governance: $MILK holders can vote on proposals and influence protocol development
• Validator Delegation: Users can stake $MILK to support validators and secure the network
• Restaking Collateral: $MILK can be restaked to secure AVSs (Actively Validated Services)
• Ecosystem Growth: Incentivizes liquidity and participation across MilkyWay-based applications
$MILK Token Supply & Distribution:
• Total Supply: 1 billion $MILK (fixed cap)
• Massdrop (Airdrop): 100 million (10%)
• Community Growth: 192.8 million (19.28%)
• Ecosystem Growth: 165 million (16.5%)
• Core Contributors: 200 million (20%)
• Investors: 134.2 million (13.42%)
• Other Allocations: Reserved for advisors, Binance campaigns, and community rounds
Note: Core contributor and investor tokens are locked for 12 months and then gradually unlocked over 24–36 months.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Claim MilkyWay ($MILK) Airdrop
MilkyWay is distributing 100 million $MILK — 10% of the total token supply — through its Massdrop campaign to reward early supporters and active community participants.
• mPoint Holders: Users who accumulated points through early engagement or testing.
• Moolitia NFT Holders: Community members holding the official MilkyWay-themed NFT.
• milkINIT Testers: Early adopters who tested MilkyWay's integration with Initia.
Step 1: Check Eligibility for MILK Airdrop
Visit the Massdrop Portal and connect your eligible Cosmos or EVM wallet.
Step 2: Review Your Allocation
Once connected, view the amount of $MILK allocated to your address and choose your preferred claiming method — either on-chain or centralized exchange (CEX) pre-deposit.
Step 3: Complete the Claim
If choosing CEX, finalize your pre-deposit before the deadline to receive $MILK directly. For on-chain claims, simply confirm the transaction through your wallet.
Claiming Tips:
• Linking your EVM wallet unlocks 100% of your Massdrop reward.
• Holding a MILK Carton NFT provides a 1.25x bonus multiplier on mPoint-based rewards.
When is the MilkyWay ($MILK) Airdrop?
• Massdrop Portal Live: Already open for eligible users to check and claim allocations.
• Pre-deposit Deadline: April 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM UTC — if you opt for the centralized exchange (CEX) method, ensure your deposit is completed by this time.
• Token Generation Event (TGE): April 29, 2024 — the official launch date when $MILK tokens will be distributed.
Will There be More MilkyWay ($MILK) Airdrops in the Future?
MilkyWay’s $MILK airdrop is structured in four phases to reward long-term community participation. Below is the updated unlock timeline:
Airdrop Unlock Schedule
• Phase 1: April 29, 2024 — Ready to claim (no tasks required)
• Phase 2: July 27, 2024 — Unlocks in 90 days since TGE (task completion required)
• Phase 3: October 28, 2024 — Unlocks in 183 days since TGE (details coming soon)
• Phase 4: April 28, 2025 — Unlocks in 365 days since TGE (details coming soon)
Each phase may involve specific tasks or eligibility criteria. Participants should check the official Massdrop portal for updates and task requirements.
MilkyWay Future Roadmap
While the MilkyWay does not pubilsh the official roadmap, we can infer several strategic directions from the project’s airdrop materials, technical architecture, and early integrations.
MilkyWay is clearly positioning itself as a modular security layer and liquidity hub for Cosmos-native and modular blockchain ecosystems. With support already extending to assets like Celestia ($TIA), Initia ($INIT), and Babylon ($BABY), the protocol is expected to:
• Expand LSD Support: Broaden the range of liquid staking derivatives tokens (LSDs) beyond milkTIA, including new Cosmos chains and potentially cross-chain assets.
• Scale the AVS Marketplace: Enable more Actively Validated Services(AVS) restaking opportunities by supporting additional off-chain services such as rollups, oracles, and data availability layers.
• Grow Ecosystem Participation: Continue building its “Moolitia” community and incentivizing long-term users through future campaigns or restaking incentives.
• Enhance DeFi Composability: Integrate LSDs like milkTIA into DeFi protocols across Cosmos, creating more ways for users to deploy their capital while earning rewards.
These developments point to MilkyWay’s broader goal: becoming the Cosmos ecosystem’s go-to platform for liquid staking, modular restaking, and decentralized security infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
MilkyWay is more than a staking protocol — it’s a modular security layer designed to power the next generation of Cosmos-based infrastructure. Through liquid staking, restaking, and cross-chain composability, $MILK aims to create lasting value for users and developers alike.
Whether you’re an early community member or a DeFi builder, MilkyWay offers both upside and utility — and its airdrop campaign is just the beginning.
MilkyWay FAQs
1. Is Staking on MilkyWay Locked?
No. MilkyWay uses liquid staking, so your tokens are not locked. When you stake assets like $TIA, you receive LSDs (e.g., milkTIA), which continue earning rewards while remaining fully tradable and usable across DeFi protocols.
2. How Can I Qualify for Future $MILK Airdrops?
While MilkyWay hasn't officially detailed future airdrop criteria, the current Massdrop campaign rewarded early testers, mPoint earners, and NFT holders. To stay eligible, users should interact with the MilkyWay ecosystem, hold LSDs, participate in testnets, and join community events announced via official channels.
3. What Wallets Can I Use with MilkyWay?
MilkyWay supports both Cosmos-based wallets (like Keplr and Leap) and EVM wallets (such as MetaMask) for claiming and interacting with airdrops. Linking your EVM wallet can also unlock the full 100% Massdrop allocation.