LayerZero, a cross-chain interoperability protocol, has launched a new claiming mechanism for its ZRO token airdrop that requires eligible users to pay a 10-cent donation per ZRO token.

The funds generated from these donations will go directly to the Protocol Guild, a non-profit funding collective for Ethereum core researchers and developers. LayerZero will match all donations up to $10 million to support the guild's goals of equitable distribution, community building, and protocol health.

LayerZero says this "Proof of Donation" approach is intended to align long-term commitment with the protocol and weed out manipulative bots and Sybil entities. However, the move has been met with mixed reactions from the crypto community. Some have criticized it as a "glorified ICO" and a "forced donation", while others appreciate the support for Ethereum's core development.

Despite the controversy, the ZRO token is highly anticipated, trading at $4.27 in pre-market futures. However, the token has since dropped 24% in the first 24 hours after launch, likely due to the backlash over the mandatory donation requirement.

Overall, LayerZero's decision to introduce a donation-based airdrop mechanism is a novel approach that could set a precedent for future token distributions, though it remains to be seen how the crypto community will respond in the long run.