Tea Protocol Explained: How it Works, Testnet, Airdrop & More

Tea Protocol, a decentralized platform built on the Base blockchain, is making significant progress in the blockchain industry by offering a new way to reward Open-Source Software (OSS) developers. With its unique Proof of Contribution system, TEA token incentives, and a focus on community engagement, the protocol aims to address long-standing issues of recognition and funding in the OSS ecosystem. 

With its testnet live and potential airdrop for users, here’s an in-depth look at what Tea Protocol is, how it works, and what it means for developers and the broader Decentralized Finance community.

What Is Tea Protocol?

Tea Protocol is a blockchain-based platform designed to support OSS developers by providing tangible rewards for their contributions. Built on Base, a layer-2 solution from Coinbase, it tackles the lack of acknowledgment and financial support for maintainers of critical but often overlooked software. Led by Max Howell, the creator of the widely used Homebrew package manager, Tea Protocol combines Web3 technology with a mission to sustain the open-source ecosystem.

The platform integrates with major package managers like Homebrew, npm, APT, Crates, PyPI, RubyGems, and pkgx, allowing developers to continue using familiar tools while tapping into a decentralized reward system. 

At its core, Tea Protocol uses a consensus mechanism called Proof of Contribution to evaluate the impact of OSS projects and distribute rewards accordingly.

How Proof of Contribution and teaRank Work

The heart of Tea Protocol is its Proof of Contribution algorithm, a system that measures the value and influence of OSS projects. Unlike traditional metrics, it looks at a project’s role within the broader ecosystem, including how often it’s used, its dependencies, and its overall contribution to software development. 

Each project receives a dynamic score called teaRank, which determines its daily rewards in TEA tokens. For instance, projects with a higher teaRank—those heavily relied upon by other software—receive more rewards. 

While these projects with high teaRank are rewarded, there’s a threshold. Only projects scoring 25 or above out of 100 qualify for teaRank-based payouts, a rule designed to prevent spam and ensure fairness. Community members can also stake TEA tokens to support projects, adding another layer of rewards beyond teaRank scores. 

TEA Token: The Fuel of the Ecosystem

The TEA token, an ERC-20 token, powers the Tea Protocol ecosystem. It serves multiple purposes: staking to support projects, paying gas fees for transactions, and participating in governance through the teaDAO. The TEA Token Generation Event (TGE) went live on December 31, 2024, but the token is not listed on any exchange yet. 

When the token goes live, holders can stake TEA to OSS projects, submit vulnerability reports to enhance security, or vote on protocol improvements. This incentivizes active participation while tying rewards to real contributions. The remaining tokens are earmarked for ecosystem growth, protocol development, and airdrops, which are key to engaging early adopters and testnet participants.

Aside from the token driving its ecosystem, it is also worth noting that the Protocol has strong financial backing, having raised $16.9 million across two rounds. The first, an $8 million seed round in 2022, was led by Binance Labs, with additional support from Woodstock, Lattice Capital, and others. A follow-up $8.9 million round later that year included WAX, StrongBlock, and Betaworks, signaling confidence in the project’s vision. Max Howell’s leadership adds credibility—his creation, Homebrew, is a staple for millions of developers, giving him deep insight into the challenges OSS maintainers face.

Testnets and KYC: Building Toward Mainnet

Tea Protocol has rolled out several testnets to refine its system and build community momentum. The latest, ITN Sepolia, launched on March 31, 2025, is currently ongoing and accessible at app.tea.xyz. Described as the “final testnet before mainnet” in an X post, Sepolia focuses on real developers, with rewards tied to on-chain activity and a strict no-bot policy enforced by KYC.

Speaking of KYC, it is a requirement for anyone looking to participate and claim rewards, including the upcoming airdrop. Using zkPass, a privacy-focused tool, users connect an EVM-compatible wallet, install the zkPass TransGate Extension, and verify through an exchange like Binance. A recent blog post by the protocol details the process, which has excluded residents of countries like the U.S., Russia, and Iran due to sanctions. 

Earlier testnets, like Assam, recorded 349 million wallets but highlighted bot-related issues, prompting the team to pivot toward verified participation. Over 50,000 users completed KYC within 72 hours of Sepolia’s launch, a milestone indicating strong community interest.

Roadmap: Airdrop, Mainnet, and Beyond

The Tea Protocol roadmap tracks its progress. The TGE hit on December 31, 2024, with the token contract live at Etherscan. Testnets followed in 2025, alongside community expansion efforts in Q1, like registering OSS projects and adding package manager support. 

The mainnet, initially slated for June 12, 2024, is now listed as “Soon,”  but given the testnet timeline and several protocol updates, it is likely to be launched in Q2 2025. 

Future plans include airdrops for early registrants, high teaRank holders, and active participants. 

The upcoming TEA token airdrop is a big draw, targeting testnet participants from ITN Base, Sepolia, etc. Points earned will convert to tokens, but only for those who complete KYC with the same EVM wallet used during testing. 

In a nutshell, the airdrop will be available for the following users as outlined in its Roadmap: 

The Tea Protocol will reward the most active participants with airdrops. Airdrops will be allocated to projects that registered early, developers who register multiple projects with a qualifying teaRank, individuals who interact frequently with the protocol, whether to stake or claim rewards, and developers who post multiple valid vulnerability reports across multiple projects.

Final Thoughts

Tea Protocol is a response to a real problem. OSS developers often work for free, despite their code powering the internet. With $16.9 million in backing, the platform offers a sustainable model, blending algorithmic rewards with community staking. Its cross-compatibility with tools like npm and PyPI ensures accessibility, while KYC and teaRank aim to keep it fair and spam-free.

For developers, it’s a chance to earn from their work. For the industry, it’s a step toward a healthier software supply chain. As the mainnet solidifies and airdrops roll out, Tea Protocol could reshape how OSS is valued.